Surname Crenshaw - Meaning and Origin
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Voyage of the Crenshaws: Unveiling My Multicultural Scottish Heritage Through DNA
This engaging revelation began with a simple iGENEA DNA test, intending to uncover the hidden threads of my ancestry. The outcome was startling yet enlightening. It emerged that my surname 'Crenshaw' carries with it a robust Scottish heritage, intertwined with Celtic and Viking influences, vividly painting my family's history across continents and cultures.
B. Crenshaw
read moreCrenshaw: What does the surname Crenshaw mean?
The surname Crenshaw is of English origin and is considered a locational surname. It is derived from a place named Craneshaw in Lancashire, which translates to "crow's wood". The name is made up of two Old English words: "cran" which means crow, and "sceaga" which means wood. This meaning suggests that the area was a woodland populated by crows. It is common to find variations in the spelling of the name such as Cranshaw, Cranshawe and others. The name could have been given to individuals who originated from that area. Over time, as these individuals moved to different regions or countries, the name represented their geographic origin rather than their current residence.
Order DNA origin analysisCrenshaw: Where does the name Crenshaw come from?
The surname Crenshaw is of English origin, deriving from the region of Lancashire. It is believed to be a locational name, denoting one who lived near a 'Crane's Wood', since the name is a combination of the Old English words "cran", meaning crane, and "sceaga", meaning wood or thicket. As a surname it's fairly common in certain areas of the United States, primarily in the southern parts of the country. Significant populations in states such as Texas, Georgia, Alabama and Virginia bear the Crenshaw surname. Some Crenshaws have also migrated to other English-speaking countries, including Canada and Australia. In the city of Los Angeles, California, there is a significant road called Crenshaw Boulevard and a district named Crenshaw, named after real estate developer George Lafayette Crenshaw. However, despite these instances, globally it remains a relatively uncommon surname.
Variations of the surname Crenshaw
There are multiple spelling variations for the surname Crenshaw. These may have originated due to transcription errors, way of pronunciation, or personal choices for differentiating families with the same surname.
Some of the few variants include Crenshawe, Cranshaw, Cranshawe, Craneshawe, Craneshaw, Crenshawe, and Crenshae among others.
The surname is believed to be of locational origin deriving from a place named "Cranshaws" in Berwickshire or from "Cranshaw" in Lancashire. Hence, surnames similar in spelling or pronunciation and associated with these regions could possibly be linked to Crenshaw.
Similarly, some surnames might share the same root, it's possible that names such as Cran, Crow, Crane, and Shaw could have developed into Crenshaw or its variants over time.
In addition to spelling variants, there may also be compound or hyphenated surnames incorporating Crenshaw like Crenshaw-Smith or Smith-Crenshaw. These are usually results of marriage where one or both parties decide to retain their maiden names, or in some societies, it's a matter of aristocracy or lineage showcasing.
It's important to note that changes in surnames are common over time and depend on various factors such as migration, language, culture, intermarriage, and more. You should use genealogical research methods to verify any connections.
Famous people with the name Crenshaw
- Ben Crenshaw: An American professional golfer who has won 19 events on the PGA tour, including two major championships and is a member of the World Golf Hall of Fame.
- Marshall Crenshaw: An American musician, singer, and songwriter known for his work in the new wave genre and for his 1982 hit song "Someday, Someway".
- Brandon Lee Crenshaw: An American actor, known for his roles in 'Honor Deferred' and 'Gangs of New York'.
- Dan Crenshaw: A U.S. Representative from Texas and former Navy Seal who became nationally known after appearing on Saturday Night Live.
- W. Craig Crenshaw: A known mathematician, a leading expert in the area of algebraic geometry.
- Shari Crenshaw: An American actress who has appeared in several films and television shows, best known for her role in ‘Center of the Universe’.
- June Crenshaw: A known advocate for LGBT rights and former executive director of the Wanda Alston Foundation in Washington, DC.
- Casey Crenshaw: A known American football player who played as a defensive end at the University of Miami.
- Artimus Lamont Bentley Crenshaw: An American actor and rapper associated as a prominent cast member in “The Parkers”.
- Stanley Crenshaw: A former professional American football player.