This ancient name is of Old Irish Norse-Viking origins, and is a metathesized form of Crennell, a Manx derivative of the Gaelic "Mac Reghnaill". This translates as "the son of Raghnall", the latter being an early compound meaning "counsel-rule". The Vikings first invaded Ireland in the 7th Century before conquering the Isle of Man, and then Northern Britain. Several early Kings of Man and Ireland were called "Reghnall", whilst as a surname it is first recorded in the 11th Century Irish records (see below). The development of the surname in the Isle of Man includes the following examples: John Crellin, who married Katherine Tyldesley on January 1st 1632, at Marown, whilst on October 1st 1662, Joe Crelling married (another) Katherine Tyldesley at Malew. In mainland Lancashire the recordings include, Thomas and Phoebe Crallan, witnesses at the christening of their son, Thomas, on June 9th 1780, at St. Ann's Church, Manchester. Curiously, on November 30th 1791, at the same church, it is also recorded that a Thomas Crallan, with his wife, Elizabeth, witnessed the christening of their son, also called Thomas. The first recorded spelling of the family name is shown to be that of Godfrey Mac MicRagnaill, which was dated 1075, King of Dublin (Manx names listing), during the reign of Irish High Kings in Opposition, 1022 - 1166. 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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