Croftown History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
England
Ireland

The name Croftown is an old Anglo-Saxon name. It comes from when a family lived as dwellers by a croft or small farm or enclosure. The surname Croftown originally derived from croeft, an Old English word for a small farm. 1

Early Origins of the Croftown family

The surname Croftown was first found in the Hundredorum Rolls of 1273. These early rolls included: Richard de Crofton and Robert de Crofton in Buckinghamshire as both holding lands that at that time. 2

Later the Yorkshire Poll Tax Rolls of 1379 listed Robertus de Croftone; Agnes de Crofton; and Thomas de Crofton.

Early History of the Croftown family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Croftown research. Another 63 words (4 lines of text) covering the years 1232, 1585, 1586, 1626, 1657, 1661, 1671, 1672, 1690, 1734, 1842 and 1911 are included under the topic Early Croftown History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Croftown Spelling Variations

Before the last few hundred years, the English language had no fast system of spelling rules. For that reason, spelling variations are commonly found in early Anglo-Saxon surnames. Over the years, many variations of the name Croftown were recorded, including Crofton, Croftone, Crofden, Croften and others.

Early Notables of the Croftown family

Another 49 words (4 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Croftown Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Croftown family to Ireland

Some of the Croftown family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt.
Another 452 words (32 lines of text) about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Croftown family

To escape oppression and starvation at that time, many English families left for the "open frontiers" of the New World with all its perceived opportunities. In droves people migrated to the many British colonies, those in North America in particular, paying high rates for passages in cramped, unsafe ships. Although many of the settlers did not make the long passage alive, those who did see the shores of North America perceived great opportunities before them. Many of the families that came from England went on to make essential contributions to the emerging nations of Canada and the United States. Research into various historical records revealed some of first members of the Croftown family emigrate to North America: Phillip Crofton who settled in Philadelphia in 1869; Thomas Crofton settled in Philadelphia in 1850.

The Croftown Motto +

The motto was originally a war cry or slogan. Mottoes first began to be shown with arms in the 14th and 15th centuries, but were not in general use until the 17th century. Thus the oldest coats of arms generally do not include a motto. Mottoes seldom form part of the grant of arms: Under most heraldic authorities, a motto is an optional component of the coat of arms, and can be added to or changed at will; many families have chosen not to display a motto.

Motto: Dat deus incrementum
Motto Translation: God gives increase.

Citations +

Smith, Eldson Coles, New Dictionary of American Family Names New York: Harper & Row, 1956. Print
Bardsley, C.W, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames: With Special American Instances. Wiltshire: Heraldry Today, 1901. Print. (ISBN 0-900455-44-6)