This interesting surname is of Scottish origin, and is an Anglicized form of the Gaelic "MacChruim", composed of the elements "Mac", meaning "son of", and the personal byname "Crum", meaning twisted, bowed. This byname would originally have been given as a nickname to someone who was stooped, or to one who carried heavy loads. The creation of surnames from nicknames was a common practice in the Middle Ages, and many modern-day surnames derive from medieval nicknames referring to personal characteristics. The given name "Cromm" is listed in the Early Book of Leinster. One Soirll McCrume was one of those who held Dunivaig in Islay against Bishop Knox in 1616. In Ireland the surname came first to County Down, from Islay, Scotland. In the modern idiom the surname can be found as McCrome, McCrom, McCrumb, McCrum, McCromm, McCrumm and McCrume. In 1692, William, son of John McCrum, was christened at Clones, County Monaghan, Ireland, and the marriage of John McCrum and Mary McNeely took place at Carnmoney, County Antrim, on December 10th 1716. The Coat of Arms most associated with the family is a green shield, with a gold cross botonnee, on a silver chief a red lion passant, and a gold bordure, the Crest being an oak tree proper. The Motto reads as "Fear God". The first recorded spelling of the family name is shown to be that of John M'Chruimb, which was dated 1610, in the "Records of Glenetive", Scotland, during the reign of King James V1 of Scotland, 1603 - 1625. Surnames became necessary when governments introduced personal taxation. In England this was known as Poll Tax. Throughout the centuries, surnames in every country have continued to "develop" often leading to astonishing variants of the original spelling.

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