Show ContentsCrossbey History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Etymology of Crossbey

What does the name Crossbey mean?

The name Crossbey was first used by the ancient Strathclyde-Briton people of the Scottish/English Borderlands. The first Crossbey 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 Crossbey family

The surname Crossbey 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 Crossbey family

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

Crossbey Spelling Variations

Surnames that evolved in Scotland in the Middle Ages often appear under many spelling variations. These are due to the practice of spelling according to sound in the era before dictionaries had standardized the English language. Crossbey has appeared as Crosby, Crosseby, Crosbie, Crossby, Corsby and many more.

Early Notables of the Crossbey family

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 father and son successively held the manor of...
Another 42 words (3 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Crossbey Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Crossbey family to Ireland

Some of the Crossbey 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 Crossbey family

The North American colonies beckoned, with their ample land and opportunity as their freedom from the persecution suffered by so many Clan families back home. Many Scots even fought against England in the American War of Independence to gain this freedom. Recently, Clan societies have allowed the ancestors of these brave Scottish settlers to rediscover their familial roots. Among them: Anthony Crosby settled in Rowley in 1643.



The Crossbey 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)


Houseofnames.com on Facebook