Surname Krenshaw - Meaning and Origin
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Krenshaw: What does the surname Krenshaw mean?
The last name Krenshaw is derived from the Old English name “Crenshaga” and is thought to be a compound of two elements. The first is “Cren”, which is most likely derived from the Old English word “crena”. This means ‘well’ or ‘spring’, and could indicate that those originally bearing the name may have lived near a reliable source of water. The second element of the name is “shaga”, which means ‘wood’ and could suggest that the original family lived in or derived their wealth from a wooded area.
The early Krenshaw family were mainly noted as landholders and farmers, and eventually became a noble and influential family. The Krenshaws were believed to have first held the land in the small village of Llanwrtyd Wells in Wales during medieval times. The Krenshaw name was spread throughout the country with the growth of population and new opportunities for work and travel. The name was then taken with immigrants to America and other countries.
The most famous bearer of the Krenshaw name is Bill Krenshaw, a professional golfer who has won numerous international tournaments. Other prominent members of the Krenshaw family include John Krenshaw, a member of the House of Commons from 1621-22; and Sir George Krenshaw, a Knight of the Garter in 1276.
Today, the Krenshaw name is found throughout the world, and people with the surname continue to make a positive mark in their communities.
Order DNA origin analysisKrenshaw: Where does the name Krenshaw come from?
The last name Krenshaw is most commonly found in parts of the United States today. Texas, Florida, and California all boast more than 100 recorded individuals with this surname. Additionally, there are splashes of the name Krenshaw in other parts of the country, including Washington DC, Michigan, and North Carolina.
It's impossible to pinpoint the exact origin of the name Krenshaw. However, many experts believe it is derived from an old form of the English name Cranshaw or Kravenshaw. It's likely that these names originated from a combination of two English words, "Kraven" and "shaw", meaning a small, wooded area.
Some of the earliest records of people with the name Krenshaw date back to 1500s Scotland. But, it’s likely that the name became more widely used and spread during the later years of the 19th and 20th centuries.
Throughout the U.S., the name Krenshaw is associated with families who initially settled in Texas and Louisiana. It’s believed that, for many years, the Krenshaw surname was heavily concentrated in the southern states before it eventually spread out across the entire country.
Variations of the surname Krenshaw
Krenshaw is an uncommon surname, with few known variants, spellings and surnames of similar origin. The most common variants include Krenshe, Creanor, Coranshaw, Crinfield, Crosho, and Krensheff. It is also suggested that Klensh, Kreinster, Crenshaw, and Crinshaw may derive from the same root.
Krenshaw is believed to have originally been produced in the United Kingdom or Ireland, with the earliest recorded spelling being ‘Stephen de Crinfield’, who was recorded in the 1175 roll of London. It is thought that the surname derives from a place name, derived from an old British or Gaelic source. The suffix ‘shaw’ in Krenshaw (as in many other surnames) is believed to mean ‘thicket’ or ‘wood’. It could also be linked to the sacred trees of Celtic beliefs.
Since its origination, Krenshaw has been produced in many different countries, with the spelling varying according to dialect and culture. For example; The Krenscheff family can be found in the United States, Canada, Australia and New Zealand, and the Krenshe family of Germany.
Krenshaw is also known to have variations of spelling, with Coranshaw being the most recent while Crosho is the most ancient recorded variation. In modern times, the spelling is often changed to Crenshaw, with the ‘r’ reverting back to its original form. Overall, the pronunciation of the surname has remained relatively unchanged over time.
Famous people with the name Krenshaw
- Eugene Krenshaw: Former special forces colonel and leader of the early US Army Rangers during the Revolutionary War.
- Stan Krenshaw: Emmy-nominated television writer and producer, best known for his work on The Simpsons and Futurama.
- Max Krenshaw: Award-winning Canadian saxophonist and composer.
- Nat Krenshaw: Hall of Fame boxer.
- Johnny Krenshaw: Award-winning American bluegrass fiddler from the Smoky Mountains.
- Dante Krenshaw: Former professional skateboarder and one of the pioneers of the sport.
- Rafael Krenshaw: Award-winning children's book illustrator.
- Nia Krenshaw: American YouTube personality and beauty influencer.
- Lucinda Krenshaw: Award-winning singer-songwriter from Nashville.
- Jack Krenshaw: Olympic gold medalist in synchronized swimming.