Croes History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
England
Ireland
Scotland

Croes is a name of Anglo-Saxon origin. It was a name given to a person who bore some fancied resemblance to a crow. This may have been based on appearance, but nicknames often described more intangible strong traits or features of animals. In the Middle Ages, anthropomorphic ideas were common; people attributed human qualities and form to animals, based on the creature's habits. The surname Croes is derived from the Old English word crowe, which in turn came from the Old English words crawe or crawa, which mean crow.

Early Origins of the Croes family

The surname Croes was first found in Norfolk and Suffolk where in the Hundredorum Rolls of 1273 we found: Ralph Crawe, Norfolk; Geoffrey Crowe, Norfolk; John Crawe, Suffolk; Walrann Crowe, Suffolk; and William Croe, Suffolk. 1

In Somerset, Hugh Crowe was listed 1 Edward III (during the first year of the reign of King Edward III.) 2

Again in Norfolk, William Crawe, vicar of Wigenhale, St. Peter's in 1431 and the same source notes Philip Crowe, Norfolk, 1307; and Richard Crowe was buried there in 1717. 3

Further to the north in Scotland, John Crow and Thomas Crow, were of the diocese of Dunblane, on record, 1470 and Magnus Crow, was a follower of Walter Ross of Morange, 1596 may have derived his name from Croy, Inverness-shire. 4

Early History of the Croes family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Croes research. Another 81 words (6 lines of text) covering the years 1602, 1611, 1616, 1627, 1630, 1632, 1641, 1646, 1668, 1669, 1675, 1683, 1692, 1713, 1717, 1719, 1743, 1781 and 1890 are included under the topic Early Croes History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Croes Spelling Variations

Before the last few hundred years, the English language had no fast system of spelling rules. For that reason, spelling variations are commonly found in early Anglo-Saxon surnames. Over the years, many variations of the name Croes were recorded, including Crow, Crowe and others.

Early Notables of the Croes family

Notables of this surname at this time include: Sir John Crowe of Dromore; William Crowe (1616-1675) was an English clergyman and bibliographer from Suffolk; Sir Sackville Crowe, 1st Baronet, (c. 1611-1683) was an English nobleman and politician, Treasurer of the Navy (1627-1630), and British ambassador to the Ottoman Empire (c. 1641-1646); and Mitford Crowe or Crow (1669-1719), an English merchant, politician, diplomat and colonial administrator.Francis Crow (d. 1692), was a Scottish nonconformist divine who came of a family seated at Hughhead in Scotland...
Another 83 words (6 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Croes Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Croes family to Ireland

Some of the Croes family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt.
Another 79 words (6 lines of text) about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Croes migration to the United States +

To escape oppression and starvation at that time, many English families left for the "open frontiers" of the New World with all its perceived opportunities. In droves people migrated to the many British colonies, those in North America in particular, paying high rates for passages in cramped, unsafe ships. Although many of the settlers did not make the long passage alive, those who did see the shores of North America perceived great opportunities before them. Many of the families that came from England went on to make essential contributions to the emerging nations of Canada and the United States. Research into various historical records revealed some of first members of the Croes family emigrate to North America:

Croes Settlers in United States in the 17th Century

Anna Theunis Croes, who landed in New Netherland(s) in 1660 5
Michael Croes, who landed in America in 1660 5

Contemporary Notables of the name Croes (post 1700) +

John Croes (1762-1832), American cleric, Bishop in the Episcopal Church
Hildward Croes (1962-2014), Aruban musician, composer, arranger and three-time Grammy Award nominee
Francisco Walfrido "Frido" Croes (b. 1957), Aruban politician, Minister Plenipotentiary of Aruba (2005-2009)
Gilberto François "Betico" Croes (1938-1986), Aruban political activist

Citations +

Bardsley, C.W, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames: With Special American Instances. Wiltshire: Heraldry Today, 1901. Print. (ISBN 0-900455-44-6)
Dickinson, F.H., Kirby's Quest for Somerset of 16th of Edward the 3rd London: Harrison and Sons, Printers in Ordinary to Her Majesty, St, Martin's Lane, 1889. Print.
Rye, Walter, A History of Norfolk. London: Elliot Stock, 62, Paternoster Row, 1885. Print
Black, George F., The Surnames of Scotland Their Origin, Meaning and History. New York: New York Public Library, 1946. Print. (ISBN 0-87104-172-3)
Filby, P. William, Meyer, Mary K., Passenger and immigration lists index : a guide to published arrival records of about 500,000 passengers who came to the United States and Canada in the seventeenth, eighteenth, and nineteenth centuries. 1982-1985 Cumulated Supplements in Four Volumes Detroit, Mich. : Gale Research Co., 1985, Print (ISBN 0-8103-1795-8)