Find out how popular the last name Cronyn is in the United States and learn more about the meaning, history, and race and ethnic origin of people in America who are named Cronyn.

Cronyn, like all of the last names we have data for, is identified by the U.S. Census Bureau as a surname which has more than 100 occurrences in the United States in the Decennial Census survey. The most recent statistics we have for the Cronyn surname is from the 2000 census data.

Popularity of Cronyn in America

Cronyn is the 142819th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Cronyn surname appeared 107 times in the 2000 census and if you were to sample 100,000 people in the United States, approximately 0 people would have the surname Cronyn.

The history of the last name Cronyn

The surname Cronyn finds its origins in Ireland, specifically from County Cork and the surrounding areas. The name dates back to the medieval period, when Irish surnames began to be established. It is believed to have derived from the Gaelic patronymic name Ó Cróinín, which means 'descendent of Cróinín'. The root word, Cróinín, is a diminutive of the Gaelic word crón, signifying 'swarthy' or 'dark-haired'.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name can be found in the Annals of the Four Masters, a chronicle of medieval Irish history. The Annals mention a Ua Cróinín, indicating the use of the name as far back as the 12th century. Other manuscripts and ecclesiastical records also note the presence of families bearing this surname, particularly in Munster, which tended to be a stronghold for Irish Gaelic culture and language.

The name underwent several anglicizations, reflecting the phonetic variations imposed by English speakers. Common variants include Cronin, Cronan, and Cronyn, appearing in diverse records. An early anglicized example is William Cronan, documented in the Fiants of Elizabeth I, administrative Tudor records from the late 16th century that identified landholders and prominent families in Ireland.

Nicholas Cronyn (1841–1918), an Irish politician, is among the notable individuals with this surname. Born in Dublin, he played a significant role in the political landscape of Ireland during his lifetime. He was known for his involvement in the Irish nationalist movements of the 19th century, advocating for greater autonomy for Ireland within the United Kingdom.

The surname also made its way to North America, where it split into various communities. Hume Cronyn Sr. (1864–1933), a Canadian politician, was an influential figure in the early 20th century. His son, Hume Cronyn (1911–2003), became a celebrated actor, known for his work in both theater and film, contributing significantly to Canadian and American cinema.

In London parish records from the 17th century, the name appears several times, suggesting that Irish immigrants carried the name with them to England. One example is Richard Cronyn, recorded in St. Giles without Cripplegate in 1678, whose name was among those listed in the local parish census.

Finally, Bishop John Cronyn (1824–1902) stands as a key religious figure. Originally from Ireland, he migrated to Canada, where he became known for his ecclesiastical work, eventually rising to the position of Bishop of Huron. His significant contributions to the Anglican Church helped shape its development in North America.

The surname Cronyn, therefore, holds a rich tapestry of history woven through its Gaelic origins, multiple anglicizations, and influence in both Ireland and the wider world, marking the journeys and contributions of those who bore the name across centuries.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Cronyn

We also have some data on the ancestry of people with the surname Cronyn.

The below race categories are the modified race categories used in the Census Bureau's population estimates program. All people were categorized into six mutually exclusive racial and Hispanic origin groups:

1. White only
2. Black only
3. American Indian and Alaskan Native only
4. Asian and Pacific Islander only
5. Hispanic
6. Two or More Races

For the most recent 2000 census data, the race/ethnic origin breakdown for Cronyn was:

Note: Any fields showing (S) means the data was suppressed for privacy so that the data does not in any way identify any specific individuals.

Data source

The last name data and ethnic breakdown of last names is sourced directly from the Decennial Census survey, conducted every 10 years by the United States Census Bureau.

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

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

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