Surname Crowell - Meaning and Origin

Deciphering Ancestral Footprints with iGENEA's DNA Analysis: The Crowell Chronicles

Delving into the depths of my ancestry with iGENEA's DNA analysis service brings to light the rich, historical tapestry behind my surname, Crowell. Discovering my DNA lineage spread across Western Europe and the Near East, I find my identity intertwined with historical migrations, cultural exchanges, and ancient roots in England.

J. Crowell

Crowell: What does the surname Crowell mean?

Crowell is an Anglo-Saxon surname with Old English origins. The name is derived from two elements: "crawe," meaning crow, and "hyll," meaning hill. Therefore, the surname Crowell can mean "crow's hill." It is believed to be a topographic name for someone who lived near a hill frequented by crows. The surname could alternatively be locational, originating from places named Crowell, such as the village in Oxfordshire, England. Families with the surname Crowell can likely trace their origins back to these areas. As with many surnames, various spellings like Crowle, Crowell, Croulle, and Croule can be found in historical records. Like many surnames that began as nicknames or occupational names, the initial bearer of the surname likely had a significant connection with crows, either living in a place known for these birds or possibly had some other noteworthy interaction or resemblance to them.

Crowell: Where does the name Crowell come from?

The surname Crowell originated from Britain, specifically England. It is derived from the name of a place: either 'Crowell' in Oxfordshire or 'Crawhall' in Northumberland. Both place-names mean 'crow's nook' or 'crow's hill', derived from the Old English 'crawe' (crow) and 'hyll' (hill) or 'halh' (nook, corner).

Crowell can be found predominant in the United States and United Kingdom, although even there it's not especially common. According to Forebears, it ranks as the 2496th most common surname in the United States and 14074th in England. The regions with higher concentrations of people with the Crowell surname in the U.S. are Massachusetts and North Carolina. Data suggests that it's less frequent in Canada and Australia. Notable individuals with this surname include singer-songwriter Rodney Crowell and founder of the publishing company Thomas Y. Crowell Co., Thomas Y. Crowell.

Variations of the surname Crowell

The surname Crowell may have several variants and spellings, usually resulting from different transcription over the years, misinterpretation, language differences, or regional dialects. Some of these variations include Crowel, Crowelle, Crowall, Crowalle, Crouell, Crouel, and Crouall. An important variation is Crowle, which is a common British surname primarily originating from the villages of Crowle, found in the counties of Worcestershire and Lincolnshire.

Some believe that the surname has its roots in the Old English words "crawe" meaning crow, and "hyll" meaning hill, thus suggesting an ancestral home located on a "Crow's Hill". Hence, it may be linked to other surnames with similar etymology, like Crowhill or Crowley.

The surname could also be associated with the place called Crowell in Oxfordshire. The families with this surname who lived in this place moved to different parts of England and beyond, adopting different forms of surname based on local pronunciation and spelling influence, further diversifying the varieties of the surname.

However, while such variations exist, Crowell remains the most standard and widely used spelling.

Famous people with the name Crowell

• Rodney Crowell: An American country music singer-songwriter known for the hits "After All This Time" and "She's Crazy for Leavin."
• Johnny Crowell: He's a famous case in crime history, having been convicted for conning the public and embezzling funds from a bank.
• Ariana Crowell: She is an American TV personality known for her role in the reality show "The Crowell Squad."
• Harry A. Crowell: A notable businessman and philanthropist from Kentucky, who also served as a state representative.
• Linda Crowell: An accomplished pianist and music teacher from the United States.
• Theresa Crowell: An American physician and health care advocate, primarily known for her efforts to improve women's health.
• James B. Crowell: A renowned economist and notable author often referenced for his expertise in international economics.
• John Crowell: He served in the U.S. House of Representatives from Alabama in the 19th century. This is not an exhaustive list and does not include those whose fame is regional or within specific industries. It also excludes those who carry the Crowell surname but are not widely recognized, like some academics and local figures.

Other surnames

CroweCrowel