Surname Crockett - Meaning and Origin

Unraveling the Ancient Origins of the Crockett Surname through iGENEA DNA Testing: A Personal Insight

Keen to gain a deeper understanding of the origin of my surname, I embarked on a journey with iGENEA to unravel the mysteries of my lineage. The DNA testing process, with its advanced genotyping technology, provided a thorough genetic snapshot. The captivating results offer fresh insights into the ancient origins of the Crockett surname.

O. Crockett

Crockett: What does the surname Crockett mean?

The last name Crockett is of Scottish origin and predominantly found in Northern Ireland. It is derived from the Middle English term "croket," which means a large curl or a hook, often referring to the shape of a hill. This suggests that the original bearer of the name could have lived near a hill with such a feature. It might also indicate a person who made, sold, or used hooks or crooks, typically for shepherding. Besides, some sources link the name to the Gaelic term 'Mac Riocaird,' translating to 'Son of Richard.' The name gained popularity in the 18th century with the legendary American folk hero, Davy Crockett, who was a frontiersman and politician. However, despite the name's Scottish roots and potential occupational or topographic origins, its meanings may vary based on family histories and evolutions.

Crockett: Where does the name Crockett come from?

The surname Crockett is of Scottish origin, likely derived from the Gaelic term 'Mac Riocaird', which means 'son of Richard'. It started as a nickname given to individuals who carried a shepherd's crook or staff, symbolizing power or authority. The surname later emerged as a significant family name within the region of Dumfriesshire in Scotland.

Post-normally invasion, many families moved to Ireland during the 12th century. Thus, it is also prevalent in Northern Ireland today. The surname then spread across English-speaking countries due to Scottish and Irish emigrations. It gained particular recognition in the United States due to significant figures like Davy Crockett, a 19th-century American folk hero, frontiersman, soldier, and politician.

Therefore, in modern times, the surname Crockett is most common in the United States, United Kingdom (particularly Scotland and Northern Ireland), Canada, and Australia. Its variants like Crocket, Crockatt, and others might occur more frequently in specific regions.

Variations of the surname Crockett

The surname Crockett is believed to be of Scottish origin. Numerous variations of the name exist due to historical instances of a phonetic spelling approach from its original Gaelic form. Commonly known versions include Crocket, Crockatt, Crokatt, Crockit, Crockette, Crocett, Crackett and Crockert. The variations of doubles letters that are "tt" and "ck" or single "t" and "k" tend to be the most recurrent.

The origin of the name is believed to be with the Gaelic surname "Mac Riocaird", which was Anglicised into Richard, Rickards, Richards, Richardson, and Dickson. Crockett is also believed to derive from 'Crockard', a diminutive form of 'Richard'. Furthermore, another theory suggests that Crockett may originate from the Old Norse name 'Krokr', which signifies 'a bend or a hook'. This could have been used as a nickname for people with some distinctive crooked features.

The most famous personality with this surname is David "Davy" Crockett, the 19th-century American folk hero, frontiersman, soldier, and politician.

The popularity and use of each variant of the surname Crockett can depend on geographic location and cultural influence, with different countries potentially using different forms. However, all forms retain mostly the same pronunciation.

Famous people with the name Crockett

• Davy Crockett: An infamous American folk hero, frontiersman, soldier, and politician. His adventures were popularized by numerous stage plays and films.
• James Crockett: Renowned gardener, writer, and television presenter, known for presenting the BBC television series "Gardener's World".
• Affion Crockett: American actor, writer, dancer, rapper, comedian, music producer, and director who created his own sketch comedy show, "In the Flow with Affion Crockett".
• George William Crockett Jr.: An American attorney, jurist, and congressman from the U.S. state of Michigan.
• David Crockett: A professional baseball umpire who worked in the American League from 1982 to 1989.
• Charles Crockett: A former professional American football player and defensive back in the NFL from 1960 to 1967.
• Floyd Crockett: A former professional American football tight end who played in the NFL from 1961 to 1966.
• Jim Crockett Jr.: An American professional wrestling promoter, known for his work with Jim Crockett Promotions.
• Charlotte Crockett: An American actress, known for her work in films such as "Flaming Frontier" (1958) and "Apache Warrior" (1957).
• Bud Crockett: A former American football player who played for the Pittsburgh Steelers in the 1940s.
• John W. Crockett: A notable Kentucky lawyer and politician in the mid-19th century.

Other surnames

CrockerCrocket