Crouden History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
England
Ireland

The Crouden surname means "a professional player, or entertainer of a crowd," a crowd being the name of a six string violin popular in the British Isles for many centuries. The instrument is still called a 'crwth' in Wales today, and in Ireland a "cruit." In the west of England a fiddle is still called a 'crowdy-kit'. "It appears to have been a favourite instrument in Britain so early as the VI century." 1

Early Origins of the Crouden family

The surname Crouden was first found in Yorkshire, where the Yorkshire Poll Tax Rolls of 1379 list Katerina Crowder and Thomas Crouder. These are the strongest listings of the name but there are others. The Hundredorum Rolls of 1273 list Richard le Cruder in Kent and later William le Crouther was listed in Cheshire. 2

Early History of the Crouden family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Crouden research. Another 103 words (7 lines of text) covering the years 1588, 1609, 1611, 1642, 1646, 1666, 1830 and 1874 are included under the topic Early Crouden History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Crouden Spelling Variations

Spelling variations of this family name include: Crowder, Crouder, Croder and others.

Early Notables of the Crouden family

Another 47 words (3 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Crouden Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Crouden family to Ireland

Some of the Crouden family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt.
Another 33 words (2 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 Crouden family

Some of the first settlers of this family name or some of its variants were: John Crowther who settled in New Hampshire in 1631; Elizabeth James and Mary Crowthers settled in Richmond, Virginia in 1820; Thomas Crowder settled in Barbados in 1634 and later transferred to the mainland.

The Crouden 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: En Dieu est ma fiance
Motto Translation: In God is my trust.

Citations +

Lower, Mark Anthony, Patronymica Britannica, A Dictionary of Family Names of the United Kingdom. London: John Russel Smith, 1860. 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)