Crowley Family Crest and Surname Origin
A short guide to the Crowley surname: its meaning, its roots in Ireland, and its heraldry.
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Origin of the Crowley name
Crowley comes from Ó Cruadhlaoich, "descendant of Cruadhlaoch", a name meaning "hard hero". MacLysaght describes the Crowleys as a branch of the MacDermots of Moylurg in Connacht who moved south and settled in west Cork in the Middle Ages. The name is now one of the typical surnames of County Cork, especially around Dunmanway and Bandon.
Our historical archives hold much more on the Crowley name: dates, names and records of early bearers.
This overview covers the Crowley name in Ireland. We also hold records of the name in other countries, such as the United States, England and Australia; your full pack is researched for your family's country of origin.
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The researched Crowley pack traces meaning, early bearers and migration routes, and includes a personalized Crowley coat of arms.
Crowley name FAQ
What does the Crowley name mean?
Descendant of the hard hero. Common variants include O'Crowley, Crowly, Crolly.
Where does the Crowley surname come from?
It originates in Ireland, and is also found in the United States, England and Australia.
Is there a Crowley coat of arms?
Arms were granted to individuals, not whole surnames, so there is no single Crowley crest. Herald Lab paints a personalized Crowley coat of arms based on historic heraldry.
Researched by Herald Lab Research Studio, since 1993. Sources: MacLysaght, The Surnames of Ireland; Dictionary of American Family Names (Oxford).