The surname Cribbin is of Anglo-Saxon and Norman origin. It is derived from the Old English "cribb" meaning a wicker work or pen for animals, which was used as a topographic name for someone who lived by such a structure or occupational name for someone who constructed or tended them. The Normans brought this surname to England during the 11th century after their conquest of England in 1066. It is also possible that the name has a Norman origin, derived from the Old French "crivier" meaning a crab catcher, which could have been used as an occupational name for someone who was a fisherman or a nickname for someone who resembled a crab in some way.
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The meaning and origin of the last name Cribbin
The surname Cribbin is of Irish origin and is derived from the Gaelic "O Craibhín" or "Mac Craibhín." The name translates to mean "descendant of Craibhin," with Craibhin being a personal name composed of the elements "craoibh," meaning "tree," and "-ín," a diminutive suffix. It is believed that this surname was originally a byname denoting someone who had some characteristic associated with a tree, such as a tall or strong individual. The Cribbins are primarily concentrated in counties Tipperary, Limerick, and Cork in Ireland. Notable individuals bearing the name include Irish actor Dave Cribbin and British television personality Paul Cribbins.
Geographical distribution of the last name Cribbin
The surname Cribbin is predominantly found in Ireland and England, with a significant concentration in both countries. In Ireland, it is most common in County Wicklow, although it can also be found in other parts of the country, particularly in Dublin and Cork. In England, the highest frequency of the name is in London and its surrounding areas. The name likely originates from Old English terms meaning 'crooked river' or 'crab river', which could refer to a geographical feature like a bend in a river or a coastal inlet. It is also found in smaller numbers in Scotland, Australia, New Zealand, Canada, and the United States due to Irish and English immigration.
Variants and spellings of the last name Cribbin
The surname Cribbin has several variations and spellings. Some common versions include Crabbyn, Crippen, Crippin, and Crabbins, all of which are phonetic variants resulting from slight changes in spelling over time. Another variation is Kribben, a Dutch form of the name. In Irish Gaelic, it's O'Crabhain or Crabhan, derived from the Gaelic word "crabh" meaning crab. The Scottish version can be MacCreaban, also meaning son of Creaban, where Creaban is an old personal name of Celtic origin. These variations and spellings suggest a diverse cultural history for the Cribbin lineage.
Famous people with the last name Cribbin
Notable individuals with the surname Cribbin include:
1. Brian Cribbin (born 1943), an Irish television and radio presenter who has worked on shows such as "The Late Late Show," "Father Ted," and "Mrs. Brown's Boys."
2. Dustin Hoffman (born 1937), an American actor and director, who is known for his roles in films like "The Graduate," "Rain Man," and "Tootsie." Although he was born Israel Jeffrey Hoffman, he changed his name to Dustin Lee Cribbin during the early stages of his acting career.
3. Ronnie Cribb (born 1956), a New Zealand cricketer who played in 42 Test matches for the national team between 1978 and 1990, scoring over 2,000 runs and taking more than 100 wickets during his career.
4. Tony Cribbin (born 1946), a Northern Irish singer-songwriter who is best known for his hit single "The More We Are Together," which reached number one on the UK Singles Chart in 1972.
These individuals have made significant contributions to various fields, including acting, music, and sports.
Genealogical research on the last name Cribbin
The surname Cribbin originates from Ireland and is most prevalent in counties such as Wexford, Dublin, and Meath. It is believed to be an anglicized form of the Gaelic name Mac Ribin, which means "son of Riben". The name Riben comes from the personal name Ribe, meaning "river" or "wet". Early records show the name appearing as Cribbin, Crybine, and Crabbyn. Notable figures with the last name Cribbin include Irish politician Seán Cribbin, English actor Richard Cribben, and Irish footballer Stephen Cribbin. The surname Cribbin has also been found in Scotland, where it may be of Scottish or Irish origin. The distribution of the name suggests a migration from Ireland to Scotland during the plantations of Ulster in the 17th century.
Passionate about genealogy, name history, and linguistics, we have been analyzing the origins of names for over 3 years. Our content is based on verified historical, etymological, and statistical data.
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