A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Cruse family lines. Documented in 2 countries.
Reg. 4441 · Irish, A–C
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
escallopThe pilgrim's shell, and a long journey made
Colours
Blue (Azure)Means: Loyalty and truth
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
Historical info
Source
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Blazon (the actual original written record)
“Az. three escallops in bend betw. two bendlets and four escallops all ar.; also, Az. two bendlets betw. six escallops ar”
IrelandUlster's Office, c. 1645
Where the Cruse Arms Were Recorded
Dublin
Map of Ireland showing where the Cruse arms are recorded
The Cruse arms were recorded in Ulster's Office, c. 1645.
Arms such as these were typically recorded in Dublin.
Dublin was the seat of government in Ireland and the place where grants were sought and recorded. Families with business at the castle or the courts settled nearby, and settling there put their arms on record.
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 Ireland in this period.
Charles I of England
Sovereign of the period
Charles I of England
1625–1649
Reigning in Ireland when the Cruse arms are first recorded.
How Arms Worked in Ireland
The Ulster King of Arms granted coats of arms to individuals who proved their social standing and good character. These symbols were typically inherited by all legitimate descendants of the original holder. If a family branch wanted a unique look, they could apply for a specific change to their design through the office to ensure their identity remained distinct.
Granting authority
The Ulster King of Arms acted as the official body that regulated and issued all coats of arms throughout Ireland.
How they got arms
Families obtained their arms through formal grants issued by the office after proving their eligibility and paying the required fees.
Where arms were recorded
All official grants were recorded in the registers held by the Ulster King of Arms starting from the year 1552.
The family's standing
Recorded among the armigerous families of Ireland.
Origin & History of the Cruse Family in Ireland
The history of the Cruse family in Ireland is deeply connected to the social and political shifts of the seventeenth century. By 1645, records confirm that members of the family were firmly established in Dublin, a city that served as the primary hub for administrative and commercial life at the time. The name itself is often linked to the Old French word "cruse," which referred to a small earthenware pot or vessel. This suggests that the family’s ancestors may have originally been associated with the trade of pottery or the operation of a tavern. As these individuals settled in Dublin, they integrated into the urban landscape during a period of significant upheaval. Their presence in the capital city indicates that they were likely part of the growing merchant or craft classes that helped shape the development of Dublin during the mid-1600s.
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
bendDefence, and the scarf of a commander
escallopThe pilgrim's shell, and a long journey made
Colours
Blue (Azure)Means: Loyalty and truth
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
Historical info
Source
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Blazon (the actual original written record)
“Az. a bend indented point in point or and gu. betw. six escallops of the second”
DevonDevon, c. 1620
Where the Cruse Arms Were Recorded
Devon
Map of England showing where the Cruse arms are recorded
The Cruse arms were recorded in Devon, c. 1620.
Devon was a county of small manors and seafaring families. Its gentry were spread thickly across the countryside, and money made at sea often bought an estate, which in turn brought a coat of 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.
James VI and I
Sovereign of the period
James VI and I
1603–1625
Reigning in Ireland when the Cruse 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 Devon.
Origin & History of the Cruse Family in England
The surname Cruse has deep roots in the English county of Devon, where the family established a notable presence by the early seventeenth century. The name is generally considered a topographic or locational surname, likely derived from the Old French word *crois* or the Latin *crux*, which refers to a cross. In medieval England, such names were often given to people who lived near a prominent stone cross, a crossroads, or a site associated with a religious landmark. By the year 1620, records confirm that members of the Cruse family were well-integrated into the social and agricultural fabric of Devon. During this period, the family lived through a time of significant transition in rural England, as local communities began to shift from feudal landholding patterns toward more independent farming and trade. This regional stability allowed the family to maintain their presence in the West Country for generations, contributing to the local history of the Devonshire landscape.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Crux
Latin word meaning a cross or a torture stake.
This name
CruseA topographical name for someone who lived near a cross or a crossroads.
also spelled
Cruze
Cruess
Related arms
Crewsevariant spelling
Cormakanerecorded with Cruse, same area
Garrettrecorded with Cruse, same area
Greenhamrecorded with Cruse, same area
Documented Sources
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
MacLysaght, Edward, The Surnames of Ireland, 1985
National Archives of Ireland, Civil Survey of the County of Dublin, 1654–1656
Woulfe, Patrick, Sloinnte Gaedheal is Gall: Irish Names and Surnames, 1923
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
escallopThe pilgrim's shell, and a long journey made
escallopThe pilgrim's shell, and a long journey made
bendDefence, and the scarf of a commander
