Surname Croke - Meaning and Origin

Croke: What does the surname Croke mean?

The surname Croke is of Irish origin and denotes a person from a particular location, in this case, the village of Crooke in County Waterford, Ireland. The name is derived from the Gaelic word "crioch," meaning territory or boundary. Therefore, it might have been used for people living at the boundary or end of a town. Croke is also related to the word "croak," which means crow, which was assumed to be a nickname for someone with a harsh or loud voice, or perhaps a raucous individual, much like a crow. In medieval times, surnames were often created based on a person's occupation, personal characteristics, or location, hence these different interpretations.

Croke: Where does the name Croke come from?

The surname Croke is of Irish origin, deriving from the Gaelic name "Mac Riocaird" which means "son of Richard". This name has been anglicised over the centuries to the modern Croke. The Croke family was a prominent Irish family, especially in the counties of Tipperary and Limerick.

The surname can be traced back to medieval times, where a branch of the family established clinical and educational eminence, especially in the 17th century with Sir Alexander Croke who was a notable judge and writer.

Today, the surname Croke is still most commonly found in Ireland, particularly in Tipperary. Additionally, due to emigration during the time of the Irish Potato Famine in the mid-19th century, the Croke name has also spread to other English-speaking countries such as the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada, and Australia.

Variations of the surname Croke

The surname Croke has various spellings, variants and related surnames due to regional pronunciations, transcription errors, or even personal preference. Some primary variations and spellings of the surname Croke include Croak, Croc, Crok, Crooke, Crookes, Croker, and Crokee.

It's important to note that many Irish surnames are anglicisations of older Gaelic names. The surname Croke is believed to be derived from the Old Norse personal name 'Krok', which was brought to Britain by Scandinavian settlers during the early Middle Ages. Thus, it is also likely that several Scandinavian surnames could be related to Croke.

Another possible origin of the surname is the Gaelic Ó Crócáin, which is also anglicised as Crokan, Crocan, Croarkin, and Grogan.

In some cases, the surname Croke might be an anglicisation of the Gaelic Ó Cruóg, although this name is more commonly anglicised as O'Crowe or Crowe.

Additionally, people who bear these surnames or their various forms may not necessarily be blood-related, as surnames could also be adopted due to geographical factors, certain characteristics, or professions.

Famous people with the name Croke

• Angela Croke: professional equestrian and Olympic gold medalist
• John Croke: former professional hockey player
• Mary Croke: Irish actress and former Miss Ireland
• Pat Croke: All-Ireland Gaelic football championship winner
• Pádraig Croke: Gaelic footballer and hurling referee
• Douglas Croke: awarded the George Cross for his heroic actions in World War II
• Sean Croke: President of the Gaelic Athletic Association
• Tommy Croke: Irish rugby union player of the 1930s
• Eugene Croke: former mayor of Galway, Ireland
• Derval Croke: novelist, short story writer, and editor
• Bernard Croke:Ireland's second natively trained opera singer

Other surnames

Croker