Surname Cracraft - Meaning and Origin
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Cracraft: What does the surname Cracraft mean?
The surname Cracraft is an old English name that means "craft or trade of a creeker". It is believed to have been derived from an Anglo-Saxon word that means "one who lives near a creek", so it's possible that the original holders of the surname once lived near a stream.
Historically, the Cracraft surname was often spelled as Crakeworthy or Crakworthy. The original individual bearing the name probably served as a handler of the creek, and was responsible for the maintenance and upkeep of the stream.
Similar surnames that include the element 'crack' are present in other cultures, and the same old Germanic root word appears to be behind them all. This word typically represented something related to water, such as a creek, pool or spring.
In England, the name was found throughout Yorkshire and Lancashire counties. It remains most popular in Northern England, and there are still families of the name living in the area.
Presently, the surname is spread throughout England, the United States, Canada and Australia. The name has taken on many variations, such as Cracroft, Crakrafte, Cracrofte, Cracket and the shortened version, Craft.
Those who bear the name of Cracraft have a long-standing link to the past, and are connected to a small and valued group of people dedicated to the care of streams.
Order DNA origin analysisCracraft: Where does the name Cracraft come from?
The last name Cracraft is most common in the United States today. According to Census Bureau statistics, as of 2020, the surname Cracraft accounted for nearly 5,000 individuals nationwide.
The majority of individuals with the last name Cracraft live in the mid-Atlantic and northeast U.S. states. Pennsylvania has the largest population of Cracrafts, with nearly 2,000 individuals living there. Other states with a significant presence of individuals with the Cracraft name are Ohio (over 600), Virginia (over 400), and West Virginia (over 350). There is also a presence of the surname in other northeastern states, including New York, New Jersey, Massachusetts, Delaware, and Maryland.
Outside of the U.S., the Cracraft surname is not as widely dispersed, though it is found in Canada and the United Kingdom. There is only a small presence of the Cracraft surname in other countries around the world.
The Cracraft surname is likely derived from the Old English word "cræccraft," which translates to “business.” It could either refer to the business of trading or the crafters who created tools or items. The Cracraft name likely originated in Scotland or England.
Variations of the surname Cracraft
The surname Cracraft has several variants, spellings and surnames of the same origin.
Variants of the surname Cracraft include Cracroft, Cracrofte, Craecraft and Cracoft. The surname also has spellings including, Cracrafte, Cracrafte, Craecraft and Craecroft.
The surname is attributed to a house which is located in Norfolk, England, with records of the surname dating back to the 12th century. The earliest written record of the name can be found in the Register of the Luxhem Abbey by Brother John of Mareham in 1230 AD.
The surname has also been spelled Craicraft, Craicroft, Crecraft, Crocraft, Cracroft, and Cracrae amongst others.
Another variant of the surname spelled Crax crafte can be found in East Anglia, specifically the county of Suffolk. The peculiarity of this variant lies in its spelling, which refers to a larger estate known as Craxcraft. This estate is located in the village of Fressingfield and is recorded in the will of John Craxcroft in 1414 AD.
The surname is believed to be of Norse Viking origin, derived from the name “Kragar”, meaning “rock”. The surname is commonly found in many English speaking countries such as Canada, Australia, New Zealand, United States, and South Africa.
In some cases, Cracraft is accepted as an interchangeable surname for Craik and Craikraft. In addition, Crakraft is an accepted spelling used in Scotland which is uncommonly found in other countries.
Overall, the surname Cracraft has a wide variety of variants, spellings and surnames of the same origin.
Famous people with the name Cracraft
- Josh Cracraft — Former football player and coach who was an offensive tackle in the NFL.
- Philip Cracraft — Musician and producer who is known for his collaborations with Drake, Rihanna, and Lady Gaga.
- Kim Cracraft — Professional golfer who has competed on the LPGA Tour.
- Dave Cracraft — Economist and professor emeritus at the University of Wisconsin-Madison.
- Dave Cracraft — Former Senators and Phillies pitcher who was drafted by the Seattle Mariners in 1981.
- Adam Cracraft — Senior technician at Peterson Labs and founder of the non-profit recording studio Province Studio.
- Deborah Cracraft — Voice actress known for her work on Disney's animated films.
- Karen Cracraft — Professional dancer and choreographer who has worked on films, music videos, and various stage productions.
- Angus Cracraft — Actor best known for his role as Scotty in the 1996 film Trainspotting.
- James Cracraft — Historian and Professor Emeritus of Russian, East European & Eurasian Studies at the University of Washington.