Find out how popular the first name Cranston has been for the last 37 years (from 1974 to 2010) and learn more about the meaning and history.

Popularity of Cranston by gender

Based on the last 37 years of data, Cranston is exclusively a male name.

For the most recent data in 2010, there were 5 male babies and 0 female babies born with the name Cranston.

The history of the first name Cranston

The given name Cranston traces its origins to the Old English language, with roots dating back to the 5th century. It is a combination of two words: "cran," meaning crane (the bird), and "tun," which signifies a town or settlement. Therefore, the name Cranston can be interpreted as "the settlement where cranes dwell."

During the Anglo-Saxon period in Britain, place names were often derived from distinguishing features of the local landscape or wildlife. The prevalence of cranes in a particular area likely led to the coining of the name Cranston, which eventually transitioned into a personal name.

The earliest recorded instance of the name Cranston dates back to the Domesday Book of 1086, a comprehensive survey of landowners and properties commissioned by William the Conqueror after the Norman conquest of England. In this historical document, the name appears as a surname, referring to individuals who hailed from settlements with the name Cranston.

As far as historical figures bearing the first name Cranston, one notable individual was Cranston Toucey (1809-1859), an American politician who served as the 29th United States Secretary of State from 1857 to 1860 under President James Buchanan. Toucey played a pivotal role in the events leading up to the American Civil War.

Another prominent figure was Cranston Holden Pearce (1899-1981), a British lawyer and Conservative Party politician who served as a Member of Parliament for Doncaster from 1931 to 1945. Pearce was known for his opposition to appeasement policies towards Nazi Germany in the lead-up to World War II.

In the realm of literature, Cranston House (1889-1977) was an American author and screenwriter best known for his novels "The House Divided" (1941) and "The Long Shadows" (1949). House's works often explored themes of racial tension and social injustice in the American South.

The name Cranston also appears in religious contexts. Saint Cranston was a 6th-century Irish missionary and bishop who is venerated in the Catholic Church. His feast day is celebrated on June 28th.

Lastly, Cranston Gonzalez (1925-2008) was a renowned Cuban painter and sculptor whose works were heavily influenced by the Afro-Cuban religion of Santería. Gonzalez's vibrant and symbolic artwork gained international recognition, and he is considered one of the most important Cuban artists of the 20th century.

Data source

The first name data used on this page comes from the Social Security Administration (SSA). They've been collecting data on baby names since 1880.

The history and meaning of the name Cranston was researched and written by our team of onomatology and genealogy experts.

If you have a correction or suggestion to improve the history of Cranston, please contact us.

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