Surname Crowley - Meaning and Origin

Tracing Back Time: Discovering the Irish Roots and Resilience of the Crowley Lineage Through iGENEA DNA Test

Through my iGENEA DNA test, I have discovered that my surname, Crowley, hails from proud Irish origins, with a rich history dating back hundreds of years. Carrying a legacy of strength and resilience, the Crowleys have seen and survived it all - invasions, wars, famines, and diasporas, blending their unique narrative into the grand tapestry of human history.

Q. Crowley

Crowley: What does the surname Crowley mean?

The surname Crowley is of Irish origin and derives from the Gaelic term "O'Cruadhlaoich," which means the "descendant of the hardy warrior." Traditionally, it is believed to belong to members of an Irish sept from the County Cork area. The term is composed of two words, "cruadh," meaning hardy, and "laoch," meaning hero or warrior. Over time, it became Anglicized to Crowley. The variant spelling of this surname includes Crawley, Crowly, O'Crowley, and Cruadhlaoich. Due to the distinct lineage of Crowley families, the surname has been spread throughout Ireland, but it is most commonly found in the southern part of the country. It is a relatively popular surname and is prominently known due to famous individuals such as Aleister Crowley, the British occultist, and writers like Mart Crowley and John Crowley.

Crowley: Where does the name Crowley come from?

The surname Crowley originates from Ireland. It is derived from the old Gaelic name "O'Cruadhlaoich", where 'O' signifies a male descendant of, and 'Cruadhlaoich' refers to a person with hard, robust attributes. In English, it directly translates to the "hardy warrior".

Although it is common throughout Ireland, this surname saw a global distribution due to the waves of Irish emigration caused by the Great Famine in the 19th century. Today, it is commonly found in the United States, Australia, Canada, and the United Kingdom. Besides, in Ireland, it is most prevalent in county Cork where it originally belonged, having its root in the Muskerry Clann of O'Crowley. In the United States, it is abundant in the area of New England. However, across the world, the surname has various spellings including O'Crowley, Crowly, and Cruely among others. It is also the last name of several renowned figures such as British occultist Aleister Crowley, American author Michael Crowley, and American entrepreneur John Crowley.

Variations of the surname Crowley

The surname Crowley has Irish roots and originated from the Gaelic term "O Cruadhlaoich," which translates to "descendant of the hardy warrior." The different spellings for Crowley often resulted from the translation from Gaelic to English, with different transcribers recording the name based on how it sounded to them. With this in mind, the surname has multiple spelling variations, including but not limited to Crawley, Crowly, O'Crowley, Croaley, Croawley, and Croweley.

The surname Crowley is also linked with the surname O'Crowley, and both refer to the same lineage. O'Crowley is an Anglicized form of the original Gaelic name ‘O Cruadhlaoich’. It was a common practice to Anglicize Irish surnames by adding an 'O' or 'Mac' prefix to denote “son of” or “descendant of”.

This surname is prevalent in the Irish counties of Cork and Kerry. It's important to note that even within Ireland, regional pronunciations and spelling variations may have led to different versions of the original surname.

Due to emigration and the passage of time, the name Crowley and its variations can now be found across the world, especially in countries such as the United States, Australia, and the UK.

Famous people with the name Crowley

• Aleister Crowley: An influential British occultist, ceremonial magician, poet, and novelist known for his controversial and provocative lifestyle.
• John Crowley: An American author of fantasy and science fiction, who wrote widely successful novels such as "Little, Big" and the Ægypt Series.
• Candy Crowley: An American news anchor who worked for CNN for nearly three decades, covering major news events and hosting State of the Union with Candy Crowley.
• Pat Crowley: An American actress best known for her roles in numerous television series and films like "Please Don't Eat the Daisies" and "Crowded House".
• Brian Crowley: An Irish politician who served as a Member of the European Parliament (MEP) for South Ireland.
• Monica Crowley: An American political commentator and lobbyist who worked as an assistant to President Richard Nixon.
• Roger Crowley: An English author and historian known for his books on Mediterranean and naval history.
• Mart Crowley: An American playwright and screenwriter who wrote the successful play "The Boys in the Band".
• Nathalia Crowley: An American author of contemporary romance, who wrote books like “Surrender My Heart” and “Redemption Lane”.
• Tony Crowley: A British professor of English studies, known for his work on the English language and dialects.

Other surnames

CrowlCrowleaCrowleeCrowlieCrowly