Cross History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
England
Ireland

Etymology of Cross

What does the name Cross mean?

The Anglo-Saxon name Cross comes from the family having resided as dwellers at a cross or crucifix. The surname Cross originally derived from the Old English word crosse, which means cross. 1 2 3

Early Origins of the Cross family

The surname Cross was first found in Lincolnshire. The name was first found to be in the southern English counties of Lincolnshire, Buckingham, and Oxfordshire, about the year 1250. By the year 1340 the most important branch of the name had moved northward to Lancashire, and established manors and estates at Crosse Hall, just outside Liverpool. This branch also moved into the Cross of Ledsham to the south in the county of Cheshire.

The Yorkshire Poll Tax of 1379 included: Johannes del Crosse; Johanna del Crosse; and Andreas de la Croys while the Hundredorum Rolls of 1273 still had a few Latin entries for the family: Jordan ad Crucem, Buckinghamshire; Humfrey de Cruce, Oxfordshire; and Conan ad Crucem, Lincolnshire. 3

The name is "rare or absent in the northern counties, and in the south coast counties. Mostly confined to the east centre of England and to the adjacent coast counties between the Wash and the Thames." 4

In Norfolk, Thomas atte-cross, was Rector of Bexwell, Norfolk (no date given) 5

In Lancashire, Richard del Crosse was found there in the Assize Rolls of 1285 and later William atte Cros was listed in the Subsidy Rolls for Suffolk in 1327. 6

Early History of the Cross family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Cross research. Another 74 words (5 lines of text) covering the years 1590, 1606, 1609, 1610, 1613, 1616, 1621, 1627, 1630, 1632, 1633, 1641, 1646, 1650, 1655, 1660, 1662, 1664, 1671, 1672, 1674, 1680, 1682, 1683, 1686, 1689, 1691, 1698, 1700, 1718, 1724, 1738, 1762 and 1890 are included under the topic Early Cross History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Cross Spelling Variations

Cross 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: Cross, Crosse, Croce, Crosce, Croise, Croice and others.

Early Notables of the Cross family

John Cross (1630-1689), Franciscan friar, a native of Norfolk, and his real name appears to have been More. He took the habit of St. Francis in or about 1646, and was declared D.D. on 12 Oct. 1672. On...
Michael Cross (fl. 1630-1660), the painter, obtained great renown as a copyist in the reign of Charles I. He is doubtless identical with Miguel de la Cruz, a painter at Madrid, who in 1633 executed co...
Nicholas Cross (1616-1698), the Franciscan friar, was a native of Derbyshire. He joined the order of St. Francis in 1641, and was so highly esteemed by his brethren that he was selected four times for...
Thomas Cross (fl. 1632-1682), the English engraver, was employed in engraving numerous portraits of authors and other celebrities as frontispieces to books published in the middle of the seventeenth c...
Robert Crosse (1606-1683), was an English Puritan, son of William Crosse of Dunster, Somersetshire, entered Lincoln College, Oxford, in 1621, obtained a fellowship in 1627

Cross World Ranking

the United States, the name Cross is the 349^th most popular surname with an estimated 77,097 people with that name. 7 However, in Canada, the name Cross is ranked the 587^th most popular surname with an estimated 8,562 people with that name. 8 And in Newfoundland, Canada, the name Cross is the 659^th popular surname with an estimated 67 people with that name. 9 Australia ranks Cross as 209^th with 15,869 people. 10 New Zealand ranks Cross as 216^th with 2,648 people. 11 The United Kingdom ranks Cross as 202^nd with 28,400 people. 12

Migration of the Cross family to Ireland

Some of the Cross family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt.
Another 57 words (4 lines of text) about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Cross migration to the United States +

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 Crosss to arrive on North American shores:

Cross Settlers in United States in the 17th Century

James Cross, aged 27, who arrived in Virginia in 1635 aboard the ship "Thomas & John" 14
John Cross, who landed in Ipswich, Massachusetts in 1635 14
Robert Cross, who landed in Massachusetts in 1635 14
Robert Cross, who arrived in Ipswich, Massachusetts in 1639 14
John Cross, who arrived in Watertown, Massachusetts in 1640 14
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Cross Settlers in United States in the 18th Century

Cha Cross, who landed in Virginia in 1705 14
Francis Cross, who arrived in Virginia in 1711 14
Richard Cross, who landed in Virginia in 1739 14
William Cross, who arrived in Georgia in 1743 14
Ellioner Cross, who arrived in Virginia in 1743 14
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Cross Settlers in United States in the 19th Century

Elizabeth Cross, who landed in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in 1811 14
James, Cross Jr., aged 23, who landed in New York in 1812 14
Margaret Cross, who landed in New York, NY in 1815 14
Sarah Cross, aged 28, who arrived in America in 1822 14
Daniel Cross, who arrived in Charleston, South Carolina in 1828 14
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Cross migration to Canada +

Cross Settlers in Canada in the 18th Century

Charles Cross, who landed in Nova Scotia in 1749
William Cross, who arrived in Nova Scotia in 1750
Ebenezer Cross, who landed in Nova Scotia in 1750
Mr. Cross, who landed in Nova Scotia in 1750
Mr. Henry Cross U.E. who settled in Eastern District [Cornwall], Ontario c. 1783 15
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Cross Settlers in Canada in the 19th Century

Richard Cross, who landed in Prince Edward Island in 1817
Caldwell Cross, aged 19, a carpenter, who arrived in Saint John, New Brunswick aboard the ship "Leslie Gault" in 1833
Laurence Cross, aged 23, a labourer, who arrived in Saint John, New Brunswick in 1834 aboard the brig "Sea Horse" from Galway, Ireland
Mr. Hugh Cross, aged 18 who immigrated to Canada, arriving at the Grosse Isle Quarantine Station in Quebec aboard the ship "Huron" departing from the port of Belfast, Ireland but died on Grosse Isle in July 1847 16

Cross migration to Australia +

Emigration to Australia included the First Fleet, Second Fleet and Third Fleet of convicts, tradespeople and early settlers. Early immigrants include:

First Fleet

Miss Mary Cross, (Davidson), (1768 - 1827), aged 19, British settler convicted in Warwickshire, England in 1787, sentenced to 7 years for stealing fabric, transported aboard the ship "Lady Juliana" leaving in 1789 arriving in New South Wales, Australia in 1790 13
Mr. Charles Cross, (1749 - 1835), aged 39, British settler convicted in Somerset, England in 1788, sentenced to 7 years for theft, transported aboard the ship "Neptune" leaving in 1789 arriving in New South Wales, Australia in 1790 14

Second Fleet

Mr. Thomas Cross, (d. 1794), British settler convicted in Middlesex, England in 1789, sentenced to 7 years for stealing, transported aboard the ship "Atlantic" leaving in 1790 arriving in New South Wales, Australia in 1791 14
Mr. Thomas Cross, British settler convicted in London, England in 1788, sentenced to 7 years for stealing, transported aboard the ship "Salamander" leaving in 1790 arriving in New South Wales, Australia in 1791 14

Third Fleet

Mr. John Cross, (b. 1757), aged 30, English settler convicted in New Sarum (Salisbury), Wiltshire on 5th March 1785, sentenced for 7 years for stealing animals, transported aboard the ship "Alexander" leaving in 1787 arriving in New South Wales, Australia in 1788 14
Mr. William Cross, (b. 1763), aged 24, English settler convicted in Coventry, West Midlands on 21st March 1783, sentenced for 7 years for stealing animals, transported aboard the ship "Scarborough" leaving in 1787 arriving in New South Wales, Australia in 1788 14

Following the First, Second and Third Fleets, other convicts and early settlers arriving in Australia include:

Cross Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century

Mr. Hugh Cross, British Convict who was convicted in Lancaster, Lancashire, England for 7 years, transported aboard the "Earl Cornwallis" in August 1800, arriving in New South Wales, Australia 17
Mr. Andrew Cross, Irish convict who was convicted in Queen's County, Ireland for life, transported aboard the "Atlas" on 29th November 1801, arriving in New South Wales, Australia 18
Mr. Samuel Cross, (John), British convict who was convicted in Middlesex, England for 7 years, transported aboard the "Calcutta" in February 1803, arriving in New South Wales, Australia, the settlement was listed as abandoned and most of the convicts transported to Tasmania on the "Queen" in 1804 19
Mr. Benjamin Cross, English convict who was convicted in Hereford, Herefordshire, England for life, transported aboard the "Baring" in April 1815, arriving in New South Wales, Australia 20
Mr. Richard Cross, (b. 1788), aged 28, English convict who was convicted in Bristol, England for 7 years, transported aboard the "Elizabeth" in May 1816, arriving in New South Wales, Australia, he died in 1853 21
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Cross migration to New Zealand +

Emigration to New Zealand followed in the footsteps of the European explorers, such as Captain Cook (1769-70): first came sealers, whalers, missionaries, and traders. By 1838, the British New Zealand Company had begun buying land from the Maori tribes, and selling it to settlers, and, after the Treaty of Waitangi in 1840, many British families set out on the arduous six month journey from Britain to Aotearoa to start a new life. Early immigrants include:

Cross Settlers in New Zealand in the 19th Century

John Cross, aged 27, a farm labourer, who arrived in Wellington, New Zealand aboard the ship "Bolton" in 1840
George Cross, aged 17, a farm labourer, who arrived in Wellington, New Zealand aboard the ship "Bolton" in 1840
William Cross, who landed in Wellington, New Zealand in 1840
James Smith Cross, who arrived in Wellington, New Zealand aboard the ship "Whitby" in 1841
Henry Cross, aged 27, a baker, who arrived in Port Nicholson aboard the ship "Lady Nugent" in 1841
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Contemporary Notables of the name Cross (post 1700) +

Christopher Cross (b. 1951), born Christopher Charles Geppert, American five-time Grammy award winner and Golden Globe winning singer-songwriter, best known for the singles "Sailing" (1980), and "Arthur's Theme (Best That You Can Do)" (1981)
Kathryn Patricia Cross (1926-2023), American scholar of educational research
Irvin Acie "Irv" Cross (1939-2021), American professional football player and sportscaster
Jim Cross (1937-2020), American ice hockey player and coach
William Jarrel "Billy" Cross (1929-2013), nicknamed "Canadian Comet," an American NFL football running back for the Chicago Cardinals and the Toronto Argonauts
Dennis Cross (1924-1991), American actor, best known for his role on the television series The Blue Angels
Amos C. Cross (1860-1888), American Major League Baseball player
John O. Cross, American fighter pilot and flying ace in the U.S. Army Air Forces, during World War II, credited with 5 aerial victories
Mrs. Bert Cross, American Republican politician, Alternate Delegate to Republican National Convention from Arizona, 1960 22
... (Another 104 notables are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Historic Events for the Cross family +

Centaur

Harry Robert Thomas Cross (1899-1943), Australian Corporal who died aboard the ship "Centaur" an Australian hospital ship when torpedoed on 14th May 1943
Mr. Robert C Cross (b. 1920), English Cook (O) serving for the Royal Navy from Newport, Isle of Wight, England, who sailed into battle and died in the HMS Hood sinking 23
Mr. William K R Cross, English Commander serving for the Royal Navy from Belbroughton, England, who sailed into battle and died in the HMS Hood sinking 24
Mr. Joseph B Cross (b. 1915), English Petty Officer serving for the Royal Navy from Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk, England, who sailed into battle and died in the HMS Hood sinking 24
Mr. Walter Sydney Cross, British Marine, who sailed into battle on the HMS Prince of Wales (1941) and died in the sinking 24
... (Another 13 entries are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

The Cross 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: Cruce dum spero fido
Motto Translation: Whilst I have breath I confide in the cross.

Sources +

Smith, Eldson Coles, New Dictionary of American Family Names New York: Harper & Row, 1956. 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)
Bardsley, C.W, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames: With Special American Instances. Wiltshire: Heraldry Today, 1901. Print. (ISBN 0-900455-44-6)
Guppy, Henry Brougham, Homes of Family Names in Great Britain. 1890. Print.
Rye, Walter, A History of Norfolk. London: Elliot Stock, 62, Paternoster Row, 1885. Print
Reaney, P.H and R.M. Wilson, A Dictionary of English Surnames. London: Routledge, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-415-05737-X)
"What are the 5,000 Most Common Last Names in the U.S.?". NameCensus.com, https://namecensus.com/last-names/
"Surnames Meanings, Origins & Distribution Maps - Forebears." Forebears, https://forebears.io/surnames
The order of Common Surnames in 1955 in Newfoundland retrieved on 20th October 2021 (retrieved from Family Names of the Island of Newfoundland by E.R. Seary corrected edition ISBN 0-7735-1782-0)
"Most Common Last Names in Australia." Forebears, https://forebears.io/australia/surnames
"Most Common Last Names in New Zealand." Forebears, https://forebears.io/new-zealand/surnames
"UK surname ranking." UK Surname map, https://www.surnamemap.eu/unitedkingdom/surnames_ranking.php?p=10
Convict Records of Australia. Retrieved 4th February 2021 from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships
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)
Rubincam, Milton. The Old United Empire Loyalists List. Genealogical Publishing Co., Inc, 1976. (Originally published as; United Empire Loyalists. The Centennial of the Settlement of Upper Canada. Rose Publishing Company, 1885.) ISBN 0-8063-0331-X
Charbonneau, André, and Doris Drolet-Dubé. A Register of Deceased Persons at Sea and on Grosse Île in 1847. The Minister of Canadian Heritage, 1997. ISBN: 0-660-198/1-1997E (p. 22)
Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 13th August 2021). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/earl-cornwallis
Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 14th July 2020). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/atlas
Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 25th November 2020). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/calcutta
Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 16th September 2020). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/baring
Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 1st March 2022). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/elizabeth
The Political Graveyard: Alphabetical Name Index. (Retrieved 2015, November 17) . Retrieved from http://politicalgraveyard.com/alpha/index.html
H.M.S. Hood Association-Battle Cruiser Hood: Crew Information - H.M.S. Hood Rolls of Honour, Men Lost in the Sinking of H.M.S. Hood, 24th May 1941. (Retrieved 2016, July 15) . Retrieved from http://www.hmshood.com/crew/memorial/roh_24may41.htm
HMS Prince of Wales Crew members. (Retrieved 2014, April 9) . Retrieved from http://www.forcez-survivors.org.uk/biographies/listprincecrew.html