Crossbay History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
Scotland
Ireland
England

The Strathclyde-Briton people of ancient Scotland were the first to use the name Crossbay. The Crossbay family 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 Crossbay family

The surname Crossbay 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 Crossbay family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Crossbay 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 Crossbay History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Crossbay Spelling Variations

Medieval Scottish names are rife with spelling variations. This is due to the fact that scribes in that era spelled according to the sound of words, rather than any set of rules. Crossbay has been spelled Crosby, Crosseby, Crosbie, Crossby, Corsby and many more.

Early Notables of the Crossbay 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 Crossbay Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Crossbay family to Ireland

Some of the Crossbay 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 Crossbay family

Many Scots were left with few options other than to leave their homeland for the colonies across the Atlantic. Some of these families fought to defend their newfound freedom in the American War of Independence. Others went north to Canada as United Empire Loyalists. The ancestors of all of these families have recently been able to rediscover their roots through Clan societies and other Scottish organizations. Among them: Anthony Crosby settled in Rowley in 1643.

The Crossbay 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

Citations +

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