Map of England showing where the Crank arms are recorded
The Crank arms were recorded in London, c. 1620.
This is where the arms were entered in the register. Families often moved to other parts of the country, so the same name can turn up in more than one region.
The body that granted and recorded arms in England in this period.
James VI and I
Sovereign of the period
James VI and I
1603–1625
Reigning in England when the Crank arms are first recorded.
How Arms Worked in England
English heraldry allowed arms to be shared by all legitimate descendants of the original owner. These symbols were treated as personal property that moved through the generations to all children. While the eldest son kept the original design, other family members could use the same shield without needing to change it or register their own unique versions.
Granting authority
The College of Arms in London has regulated the use of coats of arms throughout England and Wales since 1484.
How they got arms
Families typically obtained their coats of arms through a formal grant from the Crown or by proving their ancient right to them.
Where arms were recorded
All official coats of arms are recorded in the registers kept at the College of Arms, which date back to the fifteenth century.
The family's standing
Recorded among the armigerous families of England.
Origin & History of the Crank Family in England
The surname Crank is rooted in the occupational and descriptive naming traditions of medieval England. It likely originated as a nickname for someone who was perceived as being physically agile, bendy, or perhaps a bit eccentric, as the word itself relates to the movement of a turning handle or a crooked shape. By the time the family was firmly established in London during the early 17th century, the name had become a fixed identifier for families living in the bustling urban center. Records from 1620 show that these individuals were active participants in the city’s growing trade and social life. During this era, London was a hub of migration and economic change, and families like the Cranks were part of the foundational population that helped shape the city’s identity before the Great Fire and the subsequent expansion of the British Empire.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
cranc
Old English word for a crane or a bent object.
This name
CrankA topographic name for someone living near a winding path or a nickname for a crooked person.
also spelled
Crankk
Cranck
Documented Sources
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Bardsley, Charles Wareing, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames, 1901
Reaney, P.H., A Dictionary of British Surnames, 1958
The National Archives, London Consistory Court Depositions, 1620
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
bendDefence, and the scarf of a commander
cantonA mark of honour granted by the sovereign
lionCourage, strength and royalty
escallopThe pilgrim's shell, and a long journey made
bendDefence, and the scarf of a commander
cantonA mark of honour granted by the sovereign
lionCourage, strength and royalty
escallopThe pilgrim's shell, and a long journey made
