Show ContentsCrosebey History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

In ancient Scotland, the first people to use Crosebey as a surname were the Strathclyde-Britons. It was a name someone who lived in Wigtown and Dumfriesshire. The place-name Crosby is derived from the Old Norse words kross and byr, which mean cross and farm. 1

Early Origins of the Crosebey family

The surname Crosebey was first found in Wigtownshire (Gaelic: Siorrachd Bhaile na h-Uige), formerly a county in southwestern Scotland, now part of the Council Area of Dumfries and Galloway.

Some of the family originated further south in northern England, specifically in the North Riding of Yorkshire, Lancashire and Cumberland. We found one reference in the Lincolnshire in the Hundredorum Rolls of 1273: Geoffrey de Crosseby.

The Yorkshire Poll Tax Rolls of 1379 included Thomas de Crosby; Robertus de Crosseby; and Walterus de Crosseby. 2

Early History of the Crosebey family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Crosebey research. Another 189 words (14 lines of text) covering the years 1178, 1180, 1189, 1215, 1289, 1296, 1347, 1376, 1440, 1471, 1475, 1546, 1593 and 1797 are included under the topic Early Crosebey History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Crosebey Spelling Variations

Before the printing press standardized spelling in the last few hundred years, no general rules existed in the English language. Spelling variations in Scottish names from the Middle Ages are common even within a single document. Crosebey has been spelled Crosby, Crosseby, Crosbie, Crossby, Corsby and many more.

Early Notables of the Crosebey family

Notable amongst the family at this time was Sir John Crosby (d. 1475), of Crosby Place, Alderman of London, probably grandson of Sir John Crosby, doubtfully described as alderman of London, who died before 1376, leaving a son John in his minority. Both...
Another 42 words (3 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Crosebey Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Ireland Migration of the Crosebey family to Ireland

Some of the Crosebey family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt.
Another 50 words (4 lines of text) about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Crosebey family

For Scottish immigrants, the great expense of travel to North America did not seem such a problem in those unstable times. Acres of land awaited them and many got the chance to fight for their freedom in the American War of Independence. These Scots and their ancestors went on to play important roles in the forging of the great nations of the United States and Canada. Among them: Anthony Crosby settled in Rowley in 1643.



The Crosebey Motto +

The motto was originally a war cry or slogan. Mottoes first began to be shown with arms in the 14th and 15th centuries, but were not in general use until the 17th century. Thus the oldest coats of arms generally do not include a motto. Mottoes seldom form part of the grant of arms: Under most heraldic authorities, a motto is an optional component of the coat of arms, and can be added to or changed at will; many families have chosen not to display a motto.

Motto: Resurgam
Motto Translation: I shall rise again


  1. Mills, A.D., Dictionary of English Place-Names. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-19-869156-4)
  2. Bardsley, C.W, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames: With Special American Instances. Wiltshire: Heraldry Today, 1901. Print. (ISBN 0-900455-44-6)


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