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There are approximately 10,921 people named Craven in the UK. That makes it the 962nd most common surname overall. Out of every million people in the UK, approximately 173 are named Craven.

Region of origin

British Isles

Country of origin

England

Language of origin

English

Religion of origin

Christian

Classification

English
Location or Geographical Feature

Related and similar surnames

Creaven
Cravens
Crave
Craeven
Craiven
Cravenn
Crafen
Craivens
Craavens
Craffen
Chreven
Crafens
Craveno
Crafon
Craffens
Caraven
Coraven
Cravene
Craveneau
Carraven
Carven
Chrevfen
Cravena

The Craven surname in historical dictionaries

An Etymological Dictionary of Family and Christian Names (1857)

One who begs for his life when conquered; from crave, a word used formerly by one vanquished in trial by battle, and yielding to the conqueror. Craven is also the name of a place in Yorkshire, England, very stony, derived from craig, Cor. Br., a rock, and pen, a head.

Arthur, William (1857) An Etymological Dictionary of Family and Christian Names. New York: Sheldon, Blakeman. Public Domain.

Patronymica Britannica (1860)

CRAVEN. In the days of chivalry this word meant a coward — one who ' craved' mercy from an antagonist, and it was also applied to a fighting-cock that failed in combat.

Lower, Mark A (1860) Patronymica Britannica: a dictionary of the family names of the United Kingdom. London: J.R. Smith. Public Domain.

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