Surname Crabbe - Meaning and Origin

Crabbe: What does the surname Crabbe mean?

The surname Crabbe is of Old English origins and is an example of the many early medieval surnails that were gradually created from the habitual use of nicknames. These nicknames were given with reference to a variety of personal characteristics, such as physical attributes or peculiarities, mental and moral characteristics, or even supposed resemblance to an animal's or bird's appearance or disposition.

In this instance, the nickname would have been given to a cross-grained or fractious individual, deriving from the Middle English word "crabbe", and the Old English pre 7th Century "crabba", which means crab. In some instances, the name may have been metonymic for a catcher of crabs or a nickname for someone who walked with a peculiar gait.

In English history, George Crabbe was a noted poet and naturalist. Another famous bearer of this name is the character Vincent Crabbe from the Harry Potter franchise. The variations in the spelling of the surname include Crab, Crabb, Crabbe, Crabe, and others.

Crabbe: Where does the name Crabbe come from?

The surname Crabbe is of Anglo-Saxon origin, deriving from an old English personal name "Crabba", which means crab. It is believed to have developed during the early Middle Ages in England. This nickname type surname was given to an individual who had characteristics similar to a crab, such as a quick temper or stubbornness.

In some cases, the surname could also have derived from a crab-fisher, or someone living in a spot overrun with crabs. Therefore, Crabbe is both a patronymic surname and an occupational surname. Furthermore, it's also a habitational surname for people from various places named Crabbe in England.

While it originated in England, over the centuries, the Crabbe surname has spread to other English-speaking countries such as the United States, Canada, and Australia due to the movement and migration of people. Today, it is relatively common in these nations, yet retains a significant presence in its country of origin, the UK. Notable people with this surname include British actors Charlotte Crabbe and Alan Crabbe, as well as George Crabbe, an English poet and naturalist.

Variations of the surname Crabbe

The surname Crabbe has multiple variants and possible spellings. They can be as follows: Crabb, Crab, Krabbe, Krayb, and Krabe. Some with more unique spellings and variants could include Krobe, Krebbs, and Krebb. The surname Crabbe often has its roots in English and German societies.

The surname Crabbe is believed to be of Anglo-Saxon origin, deriving from the Old English pre 7th Century "crabb", meaning crab, and was originally given as a nickname to a quick or irritable individual, resembling the nature of a crab. It also could have been used to refer to a person living by a crab tree.

German versions like Krabbe or Krabe are derived from the Middle Low German "krabbe", meaning crab. This also was used as a nickname for a grumpy or tenacious person, or possibly given to a person with peculiarly formed hands or legs.

The surname occurred in many medieval manuscripts under different spellings, each depicting the phonetic pronunciation of the name at each given period. Many English surnames have different spelling variants depending on the era, region, and handwritten forms. It is also common for the same surname to have different origins in different countries.

These variations of the surname Crabbe reflect the rich history and linguistic diversity of the regions where it originated.

Famous people with the name Crabbe

• Buster Crabbe: Olympic athlete, actor, and producer
• Wallace Crabbe: Oscar-nominated producer and actor
• Paul Crabbe: Pulitzer Prize winner and journalist
• Gilbert Crabbe: Professor of English at Oxford University
• Susan Crabbe: Professor of Communication Sciences and Disorders at the University of Alabama
• Anna Crabbe: British actress
• Toby Crabbe: British actor and director
• Tom Crabbe: British silversmith
• Lawrence Crabbe: Canadian professional footballer
• Benny Crabbe: American hip-hop R&B artist

Other surnames

CrabbCrabble