Crokard History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
Scotland
Ireland
England

The age-old Hebrides islands and the west coast of Scotland are the ancestral home of the Crokard family. Their name comes from the Gaelic personal name Mac Riociard, which means son of Richard. The Gaelic name is derived from the Germanic words, ric and hard, which mean power, and hardy or brave. Patronyms belong to the category of surnames known as hereditary surnames, and were generally adopted by the son of the bearer of the personal name. In other cases, they were taken from notable religious and secular figures. Members of this family settled in Lanarkshire, Scotland, since before the Norman invasion of 1066.

Early Origins of the Crokard family

The surname Crokard was first found in Lanarkshire (Gaelic: Siorrachd Lannraig) a former county in the central Strathclyde region of Scotland, now divided into the Council Areas of North Lanarkshire, South Lanarkshire, and the City of Glasgow.

Some of the first records include: Huwe Croket of Kameslank (Cambuslang) and William Croketa of Kylbride, Lanarkshire who rendered homage to King Edward I in 1296. "Andrew Crokat was one of the chaplains of Sir James Douglas of Dalkeith and Morton in 1384 and in 1390 one of his executors. Walter Crokat was tenant of Brwnty, 1457, and Thomas Crokkat tenant of Girnal Mill of Kincreach, 1483. " 1

In England, early records were found in Southamptonshire and Dorset: "William de Cruket, Southamptonshire, 20 Edward I: Placita de Quo Warranto, temp. Edward I-III; Avicia de Cruket, Dorset, Henry III-Edward I: Testa de Nevill, sive Liber Feodorum, temp. Henry III-Edward I.; and Thomas de Cruket, Dorset, ibid." 2 3

The family of famed David "Davy" Crockett (1786-1836), American folk hero, frontiersman, soldier, and politician hailed from Ireland.

Early History of the Crokard family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Crokard research. Another 83 words (6 lines of text) covering the years 1588, 1694, 1715, 1903 and 1929 are included under the topic Early Crokard History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Crokard Spelling Variations

Medieval spelling was at best an intuitive process, and translation between Gaelic and English was no more effective. These factors caused an enormous number of spelling variations in Dalriadan names. In fact, it was not uncommon to see a father and son who spelled their name differently. Over the years, Crokard has been spelled Crockatt, Crocket, Crockett and others.

Early Notables of the Crokard family

More information is included under the topic Early Crokard Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Crokard family to Ireland

Some of the Crokard family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt.
Another 100 words (7 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 Crokard family

Scottish settlers arrived in many of the communities that became the backbones of the United States and Canada. Many stayed, but some headed west for the endless open country of the prairies. In the American War of Independence, many Scots who remained loyal to England re-settled in Canada as United Empire Loyalists. Scots across North America were able to recover much of their lost heritage in the 20th century as Clan societies and highland games sprang up across North America. Early immigration and passenger lists have documented some of the first Crokards to arrive on North American shores: Henry Crocket who settled in Maryland in 1775; James and John Crocket settled in Saint John Island in 1775; John Crocket settled in South Carolina in 1716.

The Crokard 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: Tak tent
Motto Translation: Take heed.

Citations +

Black, George F., The Surnames of Scotland Their Origin, Meaning and History. New York: New York Public Library, 1946. Print. (ISBN 0-87104-172-3)
Testa de Nevill or "Liber Feodorum" or "Book of Fees," thought to have been written by Ralph de Nevill, for King John (1199–1216)
Bardsley, C.W, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames: With Special American Instances. Wiltshire: Heraldry Today, 1901. Print. (ISBN 0-900455-44-6)