|
![Show Contents]() Crufts History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms
The ancestors of the bearers of the Crufts family name are thought have lived in ancient Anglo-Saxon England. They were first found in the area that was typically referred to as the croft. This was an area of arable land that was located at or near the farmers cottage. 1 The name originates largely from the northern counties of Yorkshire, Cheshire, and Lancashire, Early Origins of the Crufts familyThe surname Crufts was first found in Yarpole, Herefordshire at Croft Castle. This site was home to the family since the 11th century. Croft can also be found as parishes in Leicestershire, Lincolnshire, and Yorkshire. In the latter, the Yorkshire Poll Tax Rolls of 1379 listed: Johannes del Croft; Willelmus del Croft; and Ricardus de Crofte as all holding lands there at that time. 2 Over in Somerset, Walter in the Crofte was listed 1 Edward III (during the first year of the reign of King Edward III.) 3 Further to the north, "there are small places of this name in Scotland. Thomas Crofts and David Crofts held land under the Abbey of Aberbrothoc, 1485. Thomas Croftis appears again in 1524." 4 Early History of the Crufts familyThis web page shows only a small excerpt of our Crufts research. Another 129 words (9 lines of text) covering the years 1162, 1424, 1485, 1554, 1590, 1593, 1603, 1611, 1624, 1651, 1653, 1656, 1657, 1658, 1660, 1667, 1677, 1678, 1691, 1720 and 1727 are included under the topic Early Crufts History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible. Crufts Spelling VariationsUntil quite recently, the English language has lacked a definite system of spelling rules. Consequently, Anglo-Saxon surnames are characterized by a multitude of spelling variations. Changes in Anglo-Saxon names were influenced by the evolution of the English language, as it incorporated elements of French, Latin, and other languages. Although Medieval scribes and church officials recorded names as they sounded, so it is common to find one person referred to by several different spellings of his surname, even the most literate people varied the spelling of their own names. Variations of the name Crufts include Croft, Crofte, Crofts and others. Early Notables of the Crufts familyDistinguished members of the family include William Croft, High Sheriff of Herefordshire in 1424; Sir James Croft PC (d. 1590), Lord Deputy of Ireland; Sir Henry Crofts (1590-1667), an English politician who sat in the House of Commons between 1624 and 1660; John Crofts, an English politician, Member of Parliament for Gloucestershire in 1653 and later in 1656; Anthony Crofts...
Another 59 words (4 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Crufts Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible. Migration of the Crufts familySearching for a better life, many English families migrated to British colonies. Unfortunately, the majority of them traveled under extremely harsh conditions: overcrowding on the ships caused the majority of the immigrants to arrive diseased, famished, and destitute from the long journey across the ocean. For those families that arrived safely, modest prosperity was attainable, and many went on to make invaluable contributions to the development of the cultures of the new colonies. Research into the origins of individual families in North America revealed records of the immigration of a number of people bearing the name Crufts or a variant listed above: William Croft who settled in Lynn, in 1650. Thomas Croft of Hadley settled there in 1683. George Croft settled in Wickford in 1674. The widow of Thomas Croft in 1704 married an Indian named Samuel Crofoot..
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: Esse quam videri
Motto Translation: To be, rather than to seem.
- 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)
- Dickinson, F.H., Kirby's Quest for Somerset of 16th of Edward the 3rd London: Harrison and Sons, Printers in Ordinary to Her Majesty, St, Martin's Lane, 1889. Print.
- 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)
|
England
Scotland
