Gross History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms 

Origins Available: 
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  France 
  Germany 


The name Gross is rooted in the ancient Anglo-Saxon culture. It was a name for someone who was a person who because of their physical characteristics was referred to as the gross man or the heavy man. At times, it was a personal name and variant of Grace. 1

Early Origins of the Gross family

The surname Gross was first found in Cornwall where the first record of the family was found in "Trescobays, or Triscobays, [which] was formerly inherited by the family of Grosse; after which it was purchased by Sir Peter Killigrew, together with the barton of Howard as a parcel of Tregangy." 2

"During [the reign of Elizabeth] four-fifths [of the manor of Rosmoddris] was granted to St. George Carye, and sold by him to Ezekiel Grosse, Esq. whose family had an ancient seat at Triclodevas in this parish." 2

"Leah or Leigh, [in the parish of St. Buryan, Cornwall] now occupied by a farmer, was anciently a seat of the Grosse family, and afterwards of the Usticks." 2

Not withstanding the Cornish origin of the name, some of the family may have originated elsewhere. By example, Willelmus filius grosse was listed in the Domesday Book of 1086 in Suffolk. The same source also lists Willelmus Grossus in Norfolk. 3

Later in Yorkshire, Geraldus filius Grossi was listed there in the Pipe Rolls of 1176. Adam le Gros was listed at Holme in Norfolk 1186-1210 and Wiliam le Groos was listed in the Feet of Fines for Essex in 1314. 1

Early History of the Gross family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Gross research. Another 57 words (4 lines of text) covering the years 1086, 1190, 1596, 1618, 1632, 1633 and 1654 are included under the topic Early Gross History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Gross Spelling Variations

Gross 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. Many variations of the name Gross have been found, including Gross, Grosse, Grose and others.

Early Notables of the Gross family

Notables of the family at this time include

Gross Ranking

In the United States, the name Gross is the 416th most popular surname with an estimated 67,149 people with that name. 4 However, in France, the name Gross is ranked the 956th most popular surname with an estimated 5,483 people with that name. 5


Gross 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 Grosss to arrive on North American shores:

Gross Settlers in United States in the 17th Century
Gross Settlers in United States in the 18th Century
Gross Settlers in United States in the 19th Century
Gross Settlers in United States in the 20th Century

Gross migration to Canada +

Some of the first settlers of this family name were:

Gross Settlers in Canada in the 18th Century

Gross migration to Australia +

Emigration to Australia followed the First Fleets of convicts, tradespeople and early settlers. Early immigrants include:

Gross Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century

Gross 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:

Gross Settlers in New Zealand in the 19th Century

Contemporary Notables of the name Gross (post 1700) +


Suggested Readings for the name Gross +
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