Craik

Craik is a Scottish and northern English surname of Old Norse origin. The surname Craik is derived from the Old Norse personal name Kari or the Old Norse word "kraki," meaning a crow or a croak. The name likely originally referred to someone who displayed characteristics associated with a crow, such as dark hair or a raucous voice.

The Craik surname is most commonly found in Scotland, particularly in the regions of Fife and Angus. Over time, individuals bearing the surname Craik have spread to other parts of the United Kingdom and even further afield.

Notable individuals with the surname Craik include George Lillie Craik (1798–1866), a Scottish writer and literary critic, known for his collaboration with Charles MacFarlane on various works, including the "Pictorial History of England"; and Dinah Maria Craik (née Mulock) (1826–1887), an English novelist and poet, best known for her novel "John Halifax, Gentleman."

The Craik surname exemplifies the rich history and cultural heritage of the British Isles, with its roots in Old Norse language and the diverse regions of Scotland and northern England.

There are approximately 1,254 people named Craik in the UK. That makes it roughly the 6,191st most common surname in Britain. Around 19 in a million people in Britain are named Craik.

Typical given names associated with the surname

Male

  • Alan
  • Andrew
  • David
  • Edward
  • George
  • Iain
  • Ian
  • James
  • John
  • Michael
  • Robert
  • Steven
  • William

Female

  • Alison
  • Anne
  • Catherine
  • Elaine
  • Elizabeth
  • Fiona
  • Helen
  • Jennifer
  • Julie
  • Margaret
  • Susan

Similar and related surnames

Related and similar names are generated algorithmically based on the spelling, and may not necessarily share an etymology.

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