Place of Birth

Illinois
Tribal Affiliation

Shabtau
Surname Heritage

England / Ireland

Cross History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

The Anglo-Saxon name Cross comes from the family having resided as dwellers at a cross or crucifix. The surname Cross originally derived from the Old English word crosse, which means cross. [1] [2] [3]

Early Origins of the Cross family

The surname Cross was first found in Lincolnshire. The name was first found to be in the southern English counties of Lincolnshire, Buckingham, and Oxfordshire, about the year 1250. By the year 1340 the most important branch of the name had moved northward to Lancashire, and established manors and estates at Crosse Hall, just outside Liverpool. This branch also moved into the Cross of Ledsham to the south in the county of Cheshire.

The Yorkshire Poll Tax of 1379 included: Johannes del Crosse; Johanna del Crosse; and Andreas de la Croys while the Hundredorum Rolls of 1273 still had a few Latin entries for the family: Jordan ad Crucem, Buckinghamshire; Humfrey de Cruce, Oxfordshire; and Conan ad Crucem, Lincolnshire. [3]

The name is “rare or absent in the northern counties, and in the south coast counties. Mostly confined to the east centre of England and to the adjacent coast counties between the Wash and the Thames.” [4]

In Norfolk, Thomas atte-cross, was Rector of Bexwell, Norfolk (no date given) [5]

In Lancashire, Richard del Crosse was found there in the Assize Rolls of 1285 and later William atte Cros was listed in the Subsidy Rolls for Suffolk in 1327. [6]

Early History of the Cross family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Cross research.

Cross Spelling Variations

Cross 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. Spelling variants included: Cross, Crosse, Croce, Crosce, Croise, Croice and others.

Early Notables of the Cross family (pre 1700)

Notables of this surname at this time include: John Cross (1630-1689), Franciscan friar, a native of Norfolk, and his real name appears to have been More. He took the habit of St. Francis in or about 1646, and was declared D.D. on 12 Oct. 1672. On 10 May 1674 he was elected provincial of his order in England for three years, and being re-elected on 25 April 1686. [7] Michael Cross (fl. 1630-1660), the painter, obtained great renown as a copyist in the reign of Charles I. He is doubtless identical with Miguel de la Cruz, a painter at Madrid.

Cross World Ranking

In the United States, the name Cross is the 349^th most popular surname with an estimated 77,097 people with that name. [8] However, in Canada, the name Cross is ranked the 587^thmost popular surname with an estimated 8,562 people with that name. [9] And in Newfoundland, Canada, the name Cross is the 659^th popular surname with an estimated 67 people with that name. [10] Australia ranks Cross as 209^th with 15,869 people. [11] New Zealand ranks Cross as 216^th with 2,648 people. [12] The United Kingdom ranks Cross as 202^nd with 28,400 people. [13]

Migration of the Cross family to Ireland

Some of the Cross family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt.

Cross 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 Crosss to arrive on North American shores:

Cross Settlers in United States in the 17th Century

James Cross, aged 27, who arrived in Virginia in 1635 aboard the ship “Thomas & John” [14]
John Cross, who landed in Ipswich, Massachusetts in 1635 [14]
Robert Cross, who landed in Massachusetts in 1635 [14]
Robert Cross, who arrived in Ipswich, Massachusetts in 1639 [14]
John Cross, who arrived in Watertown, Massachusetts in 1640 [14]

Cross Settlers in United States in the 18th Century

Cha Cross, who landed in Virginia in 1705 [14]
Francis Cross, who arrived in Virginia in 1711 [14]
Richard Cross, who landed in Virginia in 1739 [14]
Ellioner Cross, who arrived in Virginia in 1743 [14]
William Cross, who arrived in Georgia in 1743 [14]

Cross Settlers in United States in the 19th Century

Elizabeth Cross, who landed in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in 1811 [14]
James, Cross Jr., aged 23, who landed in New York in 1812 [14]
Margaret Cross, who landed in New York, NY in 1815 [14]
Sarah Cross, aged 28, who arrived in America in 1822 [14]
Daniel Cross, who arrived in Charleston, South Carolina in 1828 [14]

Cross migration to Canada +

Some of the first settlers of this family name were:

Cross Settlers in Canada in the 18th Century

Charles Cross, who landed in Nova Scotia in 1749
Ebenezer Cross, who landed in Nova Scotia in 1750
William Cross, who arrived in Nova Scotia in 1750
Mr. Cross, who landed in Nova Scotia in 1750
Mr. Henry Cross U.E. who settled in Eastern District [Cornwall], Ontario c. 1783 [15]

Cross Settlers in Canada in the 19th Century

Richard Cross, who landed in Prince Edward Island in 1817
Caldwell Cross, aged 19, a carpenter, who arrived in Saint John, New Brunswick aboard the ship “Leslie Gault” in 1833
Laurence Cross, aged 23, a labourer, who arrived in Saint John, New Brunswick in 1834 aboard the brig “Sea Horse” from Galway, Ireland
Mr. Hugh Cross, aged 18 who immigrated to Canada, arriving at the Grosse Isle Quarantine Station in Quebec aboard the ship “Huron” departing from the port of Belfast, Ireland but died on Grosse Isle in July 1847 [16]

Cross migration to Australia+

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

Cross Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century

Mr. Hugh Cross, British Convict who was convicted in Lancaster, Lancashire, England for 7 years, transported aboard the “Earl Cornwallis” in August 1800, arriving in New South Wales, Australia [17]
Mr. Andrew Cross, Irish convict who was convicted in Queen’s County, Ireland for life, transported aboard the “Atlas” on 29th November 1801, arriving in New South Wales, Australia [18]
Mr. Samuel Cross, (John), British convict who was convicted in Middlesex, England for 7 years, transported aboard the “Calcutta” in February 1803, arriving in New South Wales, Australia, the settlement was listed as abandoned and most of the convicts transported to Tasmania on the “Queen” in 1804 [19]
Mr. Benjamin Cross, English convict who was convicted in Hereford, Herefordshire, England for life, transported aboard the “Baring” in April 1815, arriving in New South Wales, Australia [20]
Mr. Richard Cross, (b. 1788), aged 28, English convict who was convicted in Bristol, Englandfor 7 years, transported aboard the “Elizabeth” in May 1816, arriving in New South Wales, Australia, he died in 1853 [21]

Cross 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:

Cross Settlers in New Zealand in the 19th Century

John Cross, aged 27, a farm labourer, who arrived in Wellington, New Zealand aboard the ship “Bolton” in 1840
George Cross, aged 17, a farm labourer, who arrived in Wellington, New Zealand aboard the ship “Bolton” in 1840
William Cross, who landed in Wellington, New Zealand in 1840
Henry Cross, aged 27, a baker, who arrived in Port Nicholson aboard the ship “Lady Nugent” in 1841
H. Cross, British settler travelling from London aboard the ship “Lady Nugent” arriving in Wellington, New Zealand on 17th March 1841 [22]

Contemporary Notables of the name Cross (post 1700) +

Kathryn Patricia Cross (1926-2023), American scholar of educational research
Irvin Acie “Irv” Cross (1939-2021), American professional football player and sportscaster
Jim Cross (1937-2020), American ice hockey player and coach
William Jarrel “Billy” Cross (1929-2013), nicknamed “Canadian Comet,” an American NFL football running back for the Chicago Cardinals and the Toronto Argonauts
Dennis Cross (1924-1991), American actor, best known for his role on the television series The Blue Angels
Christopher Cross (b. 1951), born Christopher Charles Geppert, American five-time Grammy award winner and Golden Globe winning singer-songwriter
Amos C. Cross (1860-1888), American Major League Baseball player
John O. Cross, American fighter pilot and flying ace in the U.S. Army Air Forces, during World War II, credited with 5 aerial victories
Mrs. Bert Cross, American Republican politician, Alternate Delegate to Republican National Convention from Arizona, 1960 [23]
Alvin B. Cross, American politician, Member of New Hampshire State Senate 10th District, 1911-12 [23]