Map of England showing where the Crossland arms are recorded
The Crossland arms were recorded in York, c. 1665.
Yorkshire is the largest of the English counties, and it held more gentry families than any other. Land there was split among a great many households rather than a few, so a great many of them carried arms.
This is where the arms were entered in the register. Families often moved to other parts of the country, so the same name can turn up in more than one region.
The body that granted and recorded arms in England in this period.
Charles II of England
Sovereign of the period
Charles II of England
1660–1685
Reigning in England when the Crossland arms are first recorded.
How Arms Worked in England
English heraldry allowed arms to be shared by all legitimate descendants of the original owner. These symbols were treated as personal property that moved through the generations to all children. While the eldest son kept the original design, other family members could use the same shield without needing to change it or register their own unique versions.
Granting authority
The College of Arms in London has regulated the use of coats of arms throughout England and Wales since 1484.
How they got arms
Families typically obtained their coats of arms through a formal grant from the Crown or by proving their ancient right to them.
Where arms were recorded
All official coats of arms are recorded in the registers kept at the College of Arms, which date back to the fifteenth century.
The family's standing
Recorded among the armigerous families of York.
Origin & History of the Crossland Family in England
The surname Crossland is a locative name, meaning it originated from a specific place rather than a trade or a personal characteristic. It is derived from Old English words that describe a piece of land situated near a cross, which often served as a landmark or a site for a roadside shrine in medieval England. By the mid-seventeenth century, the family had established a notable presence in the city of York. Records from 1665 confirm that members of the Crossland family were living in this historic northern hub during a period of significant social and political change. As the family settled in the region, they became part of the local fabric of Yorkshire, contributing to the growth and development of the city during the post-Restoration era. Their history reflects the common pattern of families moving from rural areas to urban centers to pursue new opportunities in trade and community life.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Crux and Land
Latin for cross and Old English for a defined territory.
This name
CrosslandRefers to someone who lived on or near land marked by a cross.
also spelled
Crosslande
Documented Sources
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Reaney, P.H., A Dictionary of English Surnames, 1991
Bardsley, Charles Wareing, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames, 1901
Borthwick Institute for Archives, York Diocesan Probate Records
The National Archives, Hearth Tax Returns for the City of York, 1665
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cross symbolChristian faith and service
cross symbolChristian faith and service
