Recorded as Crannach and the softened form of Cranna, this is a rare Scottish surname. It originates from one or perhaps all, of the places called Cranna,Crannah and Crannoch in the county of Banffshire. The name probably means rocky or lofty place. It is unclear when the name was first recorded but it seems to have been closely associated with the early church. It is known that John Cranok was the bishop of Caithness in 1425. In the early registers there then follows the recording of John de Crannoch given as being the bishop of Brechin some five years later in 1430, and holding the post until 1451 when he died, who was almost certainly the same person. David de Crannoch who was also most probably related, was the canon of Aberdeen in the same period, as was Robert de Crannacht, given as being the cantor of Brechin in 1453. As Cranna the surname is first recorded only slightly later in 1489, when Thomas Cranna or Cranno, held the post of 'curer of souls' at Fvvy in 1489. As to whether this was a religious or secular position is unclear.

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