Coat of Arms & Family Crests Store
  Crosby Family Crest / Crosby Coat of ArmsThis originally English name of CROSBY was adopted by a family of MacCrossan of Leix, who espoused the English cause and migrated to County Kerry in the 17th century. In England the name was locational 'of Crosby' townships in Cumberland, Lincoln and the North Riding of Yorkshire. When the sparse Irish population began to increase it became necessary to broaden the base of personal identification by moving from single names to a more definite nomenclature. The prefix MAC was given to the father's christian name, or O to that of a grandfather or even earlier ancestor. At first the coat of arms was a practical matter which served a function on the battlefield and in tournaments. With his helmet covering his face and armour encasing the knight from head to foot, the only means of identification for his followers, was the insignia painted on his shield and embroidered on his surcoat, the draped and flowing garment worn over the armour. Early records of the name mention Geoffrey de Crosseby, 1273, County Lincoln. Thomas de Crosby of Yorkshire, was listed in the Yorkshire Poll Tax of 1379. Hugh Rossitor and Ann Crosby, were married in London in 1603. The bulk of European surnames in countries such as England and France were formed in the 13th and 14th centuries. The process started earlier and continued in some places into the 19th century, but the norm is that in the 11th century people did not have surnames, whereas by the 15th century they did. It has long been a matter of doubt when the bearing of coats of arms first became hereditary and it was not until the Crusades that Heraldry came into general use. Men went into battle heavily armed and were difficult to recognise. It became the custom for them to adorn their helmets with distinctive crests, and to paint their shields with animals and the like. Coats of arms accompanied the development of surnames, becoming hereditary in the same way. The lion is the noblest of all wild beasts which is made to be the emblem of strength and valour, and is on that account the most frequently borne in Coat-Armour. |
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