Croste History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
England

Etymology of Croste

What does the name Croste mean?

The name Croste comes from the ancient Anglo-Saxon culture of Britain. It was a name for a strong-willed person. The surname Croste was originally derived from the Old French word crouste, which means crust of bread, and was used to describe someone who was "hard as crust." 1

"But the surname is found so widely scattered in the 13th century that I feel sure in many cases it is a personal name, probably a nick, of Christian or Christopher. Both were favorites at the time." 2

Early Origins of the Croste family

The surname Croste was first found in Cambridgeshire, where Herveus Cruste was first listed in 1109. Later, Robert Crust was recorded in the Feet of Fines for Lincolnshire in 1208 FFL and Nicholas Crouste was found in the the Subsidy Rolls for Worcestershire in 1275. 1

A search through the Hundredorum Rolls of 1271 proved the widespread use of the name by that time: Geoffrey de Crusta, Herefordshire; Stephen Cruste, Yorkshire; John Crust, Essex; Amicia Cruste, Oxfordshire; and Roger Cruste, Suffolk. 2

"Lincolnshire seems to be the chief habitat of the surname in the 19th century. Since writing the above I am led to ask the question, Is it not local, and a form of Cross?" 2

Somerset records show Philip de Crast, Somerset, 1 Edward III; Thomas atte Crost, Somerset; and Rogeratte Crost, Somerset. 3

Early History of the Croste family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Croste research. Another 101 words (7 lines of text) covering the years 1109, 1208, 1273, 1327 and 1668 are included under the topic Early Croste History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Croste Spelling Variations

Only recently has spelling become standardized in the English language. As the English language evolved in the Middle Ages, the spelling of names changed also. The name Croste has undergone many spelling variations, including Crust, Cruste, Crouste, Crost, Croste, Crusta, Crast and many more.

Early Notables of the Croste family

More information is included under the topic Early Croste Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Croste family

To escape the unstable social climate in England of this time, many families boarded ships for the New World with the hope of finding land, opportunity, and greater religious and political freedom. Although the voyages were expensive, crowded, and difficult, those families that arrived often found greater opportunities and freedoms than they could have experienced at home. Many of those families went on to make significant contributions to the rapidly developing colonies in which they settled. Early North American records indicate many people bearing the name Croste were among those contributors: Thomas Crust who sailed to Virginia in 1620.

Sources +

Reaney, P.H and R.M. Wilson, A Dictionary of English Surnames. London: Routledge, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-415-05737-X)
Bardsley, C.W, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames: With Special American Instances. Wiltshire: Heraldry Today, 1901. Print. (ISBN 0-900455-44-6)
Dickinson, F.H., Kirby's Quest for Somerset of 16th of Edward the 3rd London: Harrison and Sons, Printers in Ordinary to Her Majesty, St, Martin's Lane, 1889. Print.