With the possible exception of the first record of this name, which may point to a nickname, I do not think this surname has any connection with bowleggedness or 'crooked shanks.' The earliest spellings of the name, with the one exception noted, are always in the singular. The two counties with which the name is most intimately connected are Kincardine and Aberdeen, and in the former we have the river Cruick rising in the parish of Fearn and joining the North Esk near the Kirk of Stracathro. The word 'Cruick' is found several times in combination in Scots place names, i.e. 'Cruikitheuch' (1564), the 'cruikit aiker' (1585, Scon, p. 229), Cruikitheugh (1616), later Cruikhaugh at Inverbervie. 'Shank' is also a common element in Scots place names, either alone or in combination, i.e. Schank (in Midlothian, whence the surname Shank or Schank); Shankend, Shankfoot, etc. In toponymy 'shank' has the meaning of 'projecting point of a hill joining it to the plain.' The surname may thus quite well be of local origin the shank on the Cruick or the Cruick-shank. compare the place name Pitlurg (1232 Petnalurge) from Gaelic peit na luirge, 'portion of the shank,' i.e. distinguished by a shank-like strip of land (Watson I, p. 412). compare Cruiksetter in Shetland, 1623. John Crokeshanks, burgess of Haddington, rendered homage, 1296 (Bain, II, p. 197), Christin Crukschank is mentioned in foundation charter of the chapel of Urchany, 1334 (REA., I, p. 59), Cristinus Cru sank was admitted burgess of Aberdeen, 1408 (NSCM., I, p. 3), and John Cru sank was one of the burgesses of Aberdeen selected to accompany the provost to the field of Harlaw, 1411 (Fraser, p. 21). Adam Crukshank was vicar of Crovdane (Cruden), 1414 (CAB., p. 381), the mill of Tybardy was leased to David Croyssaynt in 1434 (RAA., II, 70), and in 1452 there is entry of payment to John Cruxschank in Aberdeen (SCM., V, p. 50). John Crukshanke was granted 'the seruice of the keping of the orloge for the yer' in Aberdeen, 1453 (CRA., p. 20). John Crukshank owned a rood of land in the regality of Arbroath, 1535 (RAA., II, 816), Johannes Crushank is recorded in Murthlie, 1550 (Illus., II, p. 261), and John Crewshank or Crushank was a tailor in Aberdeen, 1688 (RPC., 3. ser. XIII, p. 262,272). Amos Cruckshank laid the foundation of the famous Sittyon herd of Aberdeen cattle, c. 1840. Isaac Cruikshank (1756—1811) caricaturist, was born in Scotland, and his son, George Cruikshank (1789—1856) was born in London. Among Scots settled in Prussia the name appears in 1644 as Kriegschank. Coukschank (an error for Croukschank) 1538, Crewschank 1602, Crokeshank 1483, Crewkschankis 1602, Crookschank 1641, Crookshank 1678, Cruckshanke 1654, Crucshank 1640, Cruickshank 1586, Cruikank (sic) and Cruiksank 1600, Cruikschank 1598, Cruischank 1591, Crukeschank 1585, Crukschank 1559, Crukschanke 1463, Crukshaink 1673, Cruvkschank 1448, Crwickshanks 1688, Crwikschank and Crwkschank, 1595. In common speech the name is usually pronounced 'Crushak.'.

= Crookshanks, q.v.