Cranford Family Crest, Coat of Arms and Name History

Cranford Origin:

England

Origins of Cranford:

The surname of Cranford hails from the country of England, and is considered to be a locational surname. This means that it was often taken by the Lord or owner of the land from which the name derives. Others who may have take a locational surname are people who have migrated out of the area to seek out work. The easiest way to identify someone who was a stranger at that time was by the name of their birthplace. In the case of the surname of Cranford, there were many villages and towns with the name of Cranford throughout the country of England. The most common location from which the surname of Cranford hailed was found as a parish in the county of Northampton, England.

Variations:

More common variations are: Craniford, Crainford, Crawnford, Crannford, Chranford, Cranfourd, Cranaford, Crannfford, Caranford, Crannaford, Cornford, Cranfurd, Carnford, Crinford

History:

England:

The first recorded spelling of the surname of Cranford can be traced to the country of England. One person by the name of Geoffrey de Cranford was recorded as residing in the county of Northampton in the year of 1273. This recorded occurred under the reign of one King Edward I of England, who was commonly referred to throughout the ages as one “Edward Longshanks,” but was also known as one “The Hammer of the Scots,” and was thus named for the trials and tribulations that he imposed upon the people of Scotland throughout his rule. King Edward I of England ruled from the year of 1272 to the year of 1307. Other mentions of the surname of Cranford within the country of England include one John de Cranford, who was mentioned as residing in the county of Northampton in the year of 1327, while one John de Cranford was mentioned as living in the county of Yorkshire in the year of 1379, and was recorded in the Poll Tax of the county of Yorkshire. Those who bear the surname of Cranford within the country of England can be found in large concentrations in the counties of Yorkshire, Northampton, and within the areas in and around the city of London.

United States of America:

Throughout the 17th century, it became popular for European citizens to migrate to the United States of America, which was then known as the New World, or the Colonies. These citizens were often displeased with the state of the governments within their home countries, and thus moved to the United States of America in search of a new and better life for them and their families. The United States of America promised freedom from religious persecution, the ability to create an autonomous government, the ability to own land, and better living conditions for all who migrated to the New World. This large movement of people to the United States of America was known as the European Migration. Among those who migrated to the United States of America were people who bore the surname of Cranford. The first person to bring this surname of Cranford to the United States of America was one John Cranford, who arrived in Virginia in the year of 1653.

Here is the population distribution of the last name Cranford: United States 8,824; Canada 343; England 167; Scotland 20; Australia 9; New Zealand 7; Costa Rica 4; China 4; Czech Republic 3; Japan 3; Honduras 2; Germany 2; Netherlands 2

Notable People:

Clarence Cranford (1906-2003) who as a Baptist pastor, author, and church leader from America.

Bob Cranford, who was a harmonica player and vocalist from America.

Ronald Eugene Cranford (1941-2006) who was an expert on the unconscious mind and comas, and who was also a neurologist from America.

Michael Cranford, who was a former game programmer from America, and who was also a software engineer.

John Walter Cranford (1862-1899) who was a U.S. Representative from Texas.

Roland Cranford, who served as a Delegate to the Democratic National Convention from the state of Mississippi in the year of 1936, and who was a Democratic politician from America.

L.B. Cranford, who served as the Candidate for the U.S. Representative from the state of Texas in the 3rd District in the year of 1922.

John Walter Cranford (1859-1899) who served as a Member of the Texas State Senate from the year of 1889 to the year of 1894, and who served as the U.S. Representative from the state of Texas in the 4th District from the year of 1897 to the year of 1899.

Blazons & Genealogy Notes

1) (South Newton, co. Northampton). Ar. a chief indented az.
2) (co. Warwick, confirmed in the pedigree of Catesby, as the Arms of Cranford. John Catesby, of Ledbrooke, in. Emma, dau. of William Cranford. Visit. Warwick). Gu. a fret or, a chief ar.
3) Same Arms. Crest—An eagle with wings expanded ppr. supporting a flag az.
4) Or, two lions pass. sa. crowned of the field.