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Crowe Genealogy and Crowe Family History Information

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About the Crowe surname

origins

The surname Crowe has two distinct origins, one English and the other Gaelic Irish.

In the first instance, the derivation is from the Middle English "crowe" (Olde English "crawa"), meaning "crow", and originally given as a nickname to someone thought to bear a fancied resemblance to the bird, perhaps someone with particularly dark hair. The surname from this source first appears on record in the latter part of the 12th Century. (This is speculative). The surname originated in Norfolk, England.

In Ireland, the surname Crow(e) is originally from the northern border of County Clare, Ireland as Concradha and later as "Mac Enchroe". The prefix of con- was used in the same way as Mac or O' to denote 'son of'. The Irish name has no known connection with the English form that originated in Norfolk, England. This is shown in numerous distribution and dna studies. There is a possibility the English version is also connected or originated as, Krogh from continental Europe but this is currently (2022) speculation.

The third origin of the name is the American native tribe that is now a surname in the USA
A fourth possibility comes from the Ross clans of Scotland that claim Crowe as a derivation of theirs but there does not appear to be a source.

There is an active facebook page for Crowe in the west of Ireland with a better description of the Irish Crowe name origins, run by Philip Crowe. Free membership.
https://www.facebook.com/groups/CroweFamilyHistory

There is a website for the name Crowe in Ireland with a view to link these with their diaspora across the world. This website gives a numerical analysis of Crowe variations / mistakes as given in Irish Roman Catholic Parish records as well as insights into two important Crowe name derivations - Crough and Croagh. These are Gaelic words for mountain and were common in County Tipperary, the second home of the Crowe name, where records are twice as numerous before State Records started in 1864. Standardisation of names after 1864, meant the eradication of Crough and Croagh in Ireland BUT the names had already migrated and using them in searches will be especially useful in America and Australasia where these name variations continued.
https://www.crowegenealogy.net/index/php

other versions of this surname

sources

The coat of arms as given in this reference is not for Crowe but McEnchroe. The true coat of arms given by Irish genealogical experts is a shield with a green hill with a tree on top and a crown in the top left corner as you face it. It can be seen on the website given above.