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![Show Contents]() St Croix History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms
- Origins Available:
 France
Directly translated, "la croix" means "the cross". It is believed by some sources that the name Lacroix was originally used for a person of importance in the field of religion, such as a priest or bishop. 1 Languedoc is the region of ancient France from which the name St Croix was derived. It comes from when the family lived in Languedoc, where the family has been found since the early Middle Ages. Early Origins of the St Croix familyThe surname St Croix was first found in Languedoc, where this eminent family held a family seat from ancient times. Several members of this illustrious family played a great role in the military and were recognized by their peers for their heroic actions during the wars of their times. In recognition of their contributions towards their communities, several distinctive members of this ancient family were granted lands, titles, and letters of patent confirming their nobility. This family also believed strongly in their faith and as a result, some members entered the clergy. Beginning in 1320, Jean Lacroix is mentioned as a descendant of Guillaume of la Croix, Governor and Seneschal of Montpellier, President in the Court of Aides (Court of tax disputes) and Receiver of the Barony of Castries. Guillaume's two sons, Louis and Geoffroy, founded a family branch in Champagne from Languedoc. Jacques, grandson of Louis La Croix, was a Knight of the Order of Malta in 1568 and was the father of Gaspard and Jean. Jean, Gentleman of the Chamber to the King, was the grandfather of René Gaspard, Marquis of Castries in 1645, Lieutenant General and Knight of the Order of Malta in 1661. The noble house of La Croix of Castries obtained six honors from the Court. Jean François Lacroix was a member of the first Commission and had missions with Danton in Belgium. He was blamed by the Commission of Twenty-One for advising Damouriez not to read his letter to the Convention and was arrested and found guilty because no one defended him except Danton. Early History of the St Croix familyThis web page shows only a small excerpt of our St Croix research. Another 134 words (10 lines of text) covering the years 1717, 1764, 1783, 1817 and 1821 are included under the topic Early St Croix History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible. St Croix Spelling VariationsChanges of spelling have occurred in most surnames. The earliest explanation is that during the early development of the French language, names were not yet fixed in spelling. Usually a person gave his version of his name, phonetically, to a scribe, a priest, or a recorder. This depended on accent, and local accents frequently changed the spelling of a name. Some variables were adopted by different branches of the family name. Hence, there are some spelling variations of the name St Croix, including Lacroix, Lacrois, Lacroie, Lacroies, La Croix, Croix, Croixe, Crois, Croise, Cruce, Lacruce, La Cruce, La Croise and many more. Early Notables of the St Croix familyMore information is included under the topic Early St Croix Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible. Migration of the St Croix familyIn the 1700s, land incentives were finally given out by France to 2,000 migrants. Early marriage was encouraged in New France, and youths of 18 took fourteen-year-old girls for their wives. The fur trade was developed and attracted migrants, both noble and commoner from France. 15,000 explorers left Montreal in the late 17th and 18th centuries, leaving French names scattered across the continent. The search for the Northwest passage continued. Migration from France to New France or Quebec, as it was now more popularly called, continued until 1759. By 1675, there were 7000 French in Quebec. By the same year the Acadian presence in Nova Scotia, New Brunswick and Prince Edward Island had reached 500. In the treaty of Utrecht, Acadia were ceded by France to Britain in 1713. In 1755, 10,000 French Acadians refused to take an oath of allegiance to England and were deported. They found refuge in Louisiana. Meanwhile, in Quebec, the French race flourished, founding in Lower Canada, one of the two great solitudes which became Canada. Many of this distinguished family name St Croix were prominent in social, cultural, religious and political affairs in France and New France. Amongst the settlers in North America with this distinguished name St Croix were Mr. or Mrs. Lacroix, aged 28; who settled in Louisiana in 1719; Mr. or Mrs. Lacroix, aged 36; who settled in Mississippi in 1820; Mr. or Mrs. Lacroix, aged 36.
| Contemporary Notables of the name St Croix (post 1700) | + |
- Chris St. Croix (b. 1979), American ice hockey defenseman
- Michael St. Croix (b. 1993), Canadian NHL ice hockey forward from Winnipeg, Manitoba
- Richard St. Croix (b. 1955), retired Canadian professional NHL ice hockey goaltender
- Dionne, N.-E., Origine Des Familles Canadiennes-Français. Baltimore: Genealogical Publishing Company, 1969. Print.
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