Shawcross History, Family Crest & Coats of ArmsThe Anglo-Saxon name Shawcross comes from the family having resided in the county of Derbyshire. The surname Shawcross is a habitation surname which forms a broad category of surnames that were derived from pre-existing names for towns, villages, parishes, or farmsteads. In this case the family was named after the ancient stone cross that stood in the High Peak forest in the parish of Shackelcross. Early Origins of the Shawcross familyThe surname Shawcross was first found in Derbyshire at Shallcross, a small village in northwestern portion of the shire. Some claim the name Shallcross comes from an ancient stone cross, known as the Shall Cross which dated back to 832 when St. Paulinus visited the area. Early History of the Shawcross familyThis web page shows only a small excerpt of our Shawcross research. Another 58 words (4 lines of text) covering the year 1686 is included under the topic Early Shawcross History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible. Shawcross Spelling VariationsShawcross has been spelled many different ways. Before English spelling became standardized over the last few hundred years, spelling variations in names were a common occurrence. As the English language changed in the Middle Ages, absorbing pieces of Latin and French, as well as other languages, the spelling of people's names also changed considerably, even over a single lifetime. Spelling variants included: Shallcross, Shalcross, Shawcross, Shallcrosse and others. Early Notables of the Shawcross familyMore information is included under the topic Early Shawcross Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.
In an attempt to escape the chaos experienced in England, many English families boarded overcrowded and diseased ships sailing for the shores of North America and other British colonies. Those families hardy enough, and lucky enough, to make the passage intact were rewarded with land and a social environment less prone to religious and political persecution. Many of these families became important contributors to the young colonies in which they settled. Early immigration and passenger lists have documented some of the first Shawcrosss to arrive on North American shores: Shawcross Settlers in United States in the 19th Century
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