The Cuss family name dates back to the ancient Anglo-Saxon culture of Britain. The name comes from when an early member worked as a maker of leather armor for the knight's legs. In some cases the name was used as a trade name for a shoemaker. Further research showed the name was derived from the Old French word cuisse, a type of leather armor.
The surname Cuss was first found in Leicestershire, where they held a family seat from early times.
This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Cuss research. Another 67 words (5 lines of text) covering the years 1327, 1455, 1545, 1576 and 1765 are included under the topic Early Cuss History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.
Cuss 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 Cuss have been found, including Kiss, Kish, Kyshe, Kysh, Kysse, Cuss, Cusse, Cush and others.
Another 30 words (2 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Cuss Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.
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 Cusss to arrive on North American shores:
Some of the first settlers of this family name were: