O'Kramer History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
Ireland

Etymology of O'Kramer

What does the name O'Kramer mean?

The Irish surnames in use today are underpinned by a multitude of rich histories. The name O'Kramer originally appeared in Gaelic as "Mac Threinfir," from the words "trean," which means "strong," and "fear" which means "man." This name is often rendered MacTraynor or MacTreanor in English, but the Anglicizations Mac Crainor and MacCreanor are actually more phonetically accurate.

Early Origins of the O'Kramer family

The surname O'Kramer was first found in County Cork (Irish: Corcaigh) the ancient Kingdom of Deis Muin (Desmond), located on the southwest coast of Ireland in the province of Munster, where they held a family seat from early times.

Early History of the O'Kramer family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our O'Kramer research. Another 102 words (7 lines of text) covering the years 1670, 1800 and 1910 are included under the topic Early O'Kramer History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

O'Kramer Spelling Variations

The search for the origins of the name O'Kramer family name revealed numerous spelling variations. These variants can be somewhat accounted for when it is realized that before widespread literacy people only recognized their name by pronunciation; it was up to scribes to decide how it was to be formally recorded. Variations found include Cramer, Creamer, McCramer, McCreamer and others.

Early Notables of the O'Kramer family

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

Migration of the O'Kramer family

Thousands of Irish left in their homeland in the 18th and 19th centuries to escape the religious and political discrimination they experienced primarily at the hands of the English, and in the search of a plot of land to call their own. These immigrants arrived at the eastern shores of North America, early on settling and breaking the land, and, later, building the bridges, canals, and railroads essential to the emerging nations of United States and Canada. Many others would toil for low wages in the dangerous factories of the day. Although there had been a steady migration of Irish to North America over these years, the greatest influx of Irish immigrants came to North America during the Great Potato Famine of the late 1840s. Early North American immigration records have revealed a number of people bearing the Irish name O'Kramer or a variant listed above: Andrew Cramer who settled in Pennsylvania in 1772; Daniel Cramer arrived in Philadelphia in 1752; Michael Cramer arrived in New York in 1715.

The O'Kramer 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: Non dormit qui custodet
Motto Translation: The sentinel sleeps not.