The surname of LA CROSSE was a locational name 'the dweller at the sign of the cross' the roadside or market cross dedicated to some saint, often serving as a marker or guide post. The name may also have meant 'one who carried the cross in a procession'. Local surnames, by far the largest group, derived from a place name where the man held land or from the place from which he had come, or where he actually lived. These local surnames were originally preceded by a preposition such as "de", "atte", "by" or "in". The names may derive from a manor held, from working in a religious dwelling or from literally living by a wood or marsh or by a stream. Following the Crusades in Europe a need was felt for a family name. This was recognized by those of noble blood, who realised the prestige and practical advantage it would add to their status. Early records of the name mention Jordan ad Crucem, 1273 County Buckinghamshire. Johannes del Crosse of Yorkshire was listed in the Yorkshire Poll Tax of 1379. Thomas atte-Cross, rector of Bexwell, County Norfolk in the year 1400. John, son of Richard Cross was baptised at St. James's Clerkenwell, London in the year 1585. The name was taken to Scotland by settlers, where it is usually rendered as Crouch. Johannes Crooch witnessed a confirmation charter by the Earl of Buchanan to the canon's of St. Andrews circa 1500. John Cruche was the burgess of the Canongate, Edinburgh in 1567. In many parts of central and western Europe, hereditary surnames began to become fixed at around the 12th century, and have developed and changed slowly over the years. As society became more complex, and such matters as the management of tenure, and in particular the collection of taxes were delegated to special functionaries, it became imperative to distinguish a more complex system of nomenclature to differentiate one individual from another. In the Middle Ages the Herald (old French herault) was an officer whose duty it was to proclaim war or peace, carry challenges to battle and messages between sovereigns; nowadays war or peace is still proclaimed by the heralds, but their chief duty as court functionaries is to superintend state ceremonies, such as coronations, installations, and to grant arms. Edward III (1327-1377) appointed two heraldic kings-at-arms for south and north, England in 1340. The English College of Heralds was incorporated by Richard III in 1483-84. |
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