Surname Crooks - Meaning and Origin

Unravelling the Journey of My Surname ‘Crooks’ through iGENEA DNA Test: An Insight into Genetic Ancestry

With an aim to delve into my lineage, I took the iGENEA DNA test, hoping to get a clearer understanding of my surname – Crooks. My exploration through the genetic markers and haplogroups gave me an enriched understanding of the historical and geographical adaptations within my lineage.

P. Crooks

Crooks: What does the surname Crooks mean?

The last name Crooks is of Scottish origin, derived from the Old Norse word "Krókr" which means "bend or hook". It was often used as a topographic name for someone who lived by a bend in a river or road, or as a nickname for someone with a physical deformity, such as a crooked back. Over time, family members who moved to different regions adapted the spelling of the name, leading to variations, such as Crook, Crooke, and Crookes. It's also possible that the name was occupational, referring to someone who made, sold, or used hooks in their line of work. Therefore, the surname Crooks can be an indication of one's geographical origins, physical characteristics, or professional trade of their ancestors. However, the exact meaning can vary based on its historical and familial context.

Crooks: Where does the name Crooks come from?

The surname Crooks has multiple origins. It is believed to be of both English and Scottish descent. From the English angle, it originates from the Old Norse word 'Krokr', describing someone who lived by a bend or a winding road. In Scotland, the surname Crooks comes from the lands of Crooks in the parish of Avondale, Lanarkshire. Clan affiliation in Scotland is with Clan Gordon.

The surname can be found as Crooks, Crook, Crooke, and other variants. Early records of the surname can be traced to England and Scotland in the 13th and 14th centuries.

Today, Crooks is scattered across English-speaking countries including the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada, and Australia. According to surname distribution data, it is most prevalent in the United States and most dense (as per the number of individuals per capita) in Northern Ireland. The greatest number of Crooks individuals are found in the United States, followed by the United Kingdom and Canada.

Variations of the surname Crooks

The surname Crooks likely originates from the occupational name for a maker or user of hooks. Variations of the surname can attribute to diverse factors such as phonetic spelling, regional dialect variations, or another language's influence.

Alternative spellings and variants of the surname Crooks may include: Croke, Crook, Crooke, Cruik, Cruick, Crocker, Crock, Krook, Kruik, Krooks, and Cruicks. Some of these variations might be more prominent in specific regions or countries due to influences from local languages and dialects. For instance, Krook or Krooks might be more common in countries with Germanic or Scandinavian languages.

Regarding surnames, it's important to note that intermarriages could lead to the blending or hyphenation of the Crooks surname with others, leading to additional variants. For instance, a union between a Crooks and a Smith could potentially lead to surnames like Crooks-Smith or Smith-Crooks.

Further studies regarding genealogy, and regional language patterns, would help provide a more extensive list of spelling variations and related surnames for Crooks.

Famous people with the name Crooks

• Courtney Crooks: An actress known for her work in "A Perfect Ending" (2012) and "Anatomy of Deception" (2014).
• Ryan Crooks: A popular Instagram Star.
• Les Crooks: A former English professional footballer who played as a left back.
• Bob Crooks: An English former footballer who played as a goalkeeper.
• Chris Crooks: A professional rugby league footballer who played in the 1980s and 1990s.
• Edward Crooks: A nuclear physicist and chemist, primarily known for his work on uranium isotope separation.
• John Crooks: A pioneer wireless operator on board RMS Titanic.
• Robert Crooks: A Scottish footballer who played as a right half.
• Richard Leslie Crooks: An American tenor and a leading singer at the New York Metropolitan Opera.
• Sam Crooks: A former professional rugby league footballer who played in the 1930s, 1940s and 1950s.
• William Crooks: A steam locomotive, the first locomotive to operate in the U.S. state of Minnesota, named after William Crooks, the chief mechanical engineer for the St. Paul and Pacific Railroad, who earlier served as a colonel in the 6th Minnesota Volunteer Infantry Regiment during the American Civil War.
• William Crooks (music producer): an American electronic musician, songwriter, and music producer.
• Phil Crooks: A former Ireland international rugby union player.

Other surnames

CrookCrookeCrookedCrookerCrookesCrookshankCrookshanks