Surname Crosher - Meaning and Origin

Crosher: What does the surname Crosher mean?

The last name Crosher is of French origin, originating as the occupational surname for bakers of bread and cakes, derived from the Old French word ‘croustre’ and its Latin root ‘crustum’ - both meaning a kind of bread. It is believed that the Crosher family trace their roots to the north of France, in the Exmes region of Normandy. They were likely followers of William of Normandy, who was granted the English throne in 1066 following the Norman invasion of Britain.

When the Norman family line came into possession of the lands of Down, in Northern Ireland, during the 12th Century, it’s believed that the Crosher’s migrated there, with other Norman families. Records from the time indicate that they were bakers who supplied loaves of bread to local communities.

Records from the Census of 1659 show that, in Ireland, the Crosher surname had taken on the Anglicized form of ‘Cusher’. Although records are somewhat limited, it is likely that members of the family have since spread across the globe, most likely during the 19th century when Irish immigrants began to leave the country in large numbers due to famine and economic hardship.

Today, the surname is still in use in its original form across France, and the Anglicized forms of 'Cusher' and 'Crosher' have survived in English-speaking countries, with members of the family found in countries such as Australia, Canada, the US and the UK. It is also possible the variant spellings of 'Croucher' and 'Croser' exist.

Crosher: Where does the name Crosher come from?

The last name Crosher is common today primarily in the United Kingdom, especially in England. It is an Anglo-Saxon name; 'Crosher' comes from the English surname 'Cross' and the Old Norse term ' Haugr', meaning thicket or hill.

In the census of 1911, records show that the Crosher family generally lived in the South West of England, primarily in Bristol, Cornwall and Gloucestershire.

Today, the Crosher family is still mostly found in the same English regions, with a concentration in northern Wiltshire, which was once part of the old Saxon kingdom of Wessex.

Crosher is also a popular surname in countries such as the US, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand. Many of these families are descended from British emigrants.

The surname is uncommon in other countries, such as France, Belgium, and Germany, as it did not originate there but was brought to those countries by British expatriates.

The Crosher name is still widespread in the United Kingdom, due to the family's long history in the British region and intermingling with other English families. The surname continues to be a popular choice amongst parents, with many choosing to give it to their children as a tribute to their heritage.

Variations of the surname Crosher

The surname Crosher is derived from the given name 'Cross' and is primarily found in England. Variations of this name include Crosher, Crowther, Crowthers and Crowshaw. The spelling of the name has also been recorded as Crosser, Crossier, Crosse, Crosser, Croucher and Crosseherty.

The most common variation of the name in England is Crosher with numerous families bearing the name recorded in the region, dating back to the 14th century. The family name is believed to have originated in Yorkshire where the earliest individuals of the Crosher surname can be traced back to the early 1600s.

It is thought that the Crosher surname may also have originated in Lancashire. The earliest records of the name in Lancashire date back to the 1500s and1600s with many individuals bearing the surname resident in the area.

The meanings associated with the surname vary with many believing the Crosher name to come from the Old English word 'crud' translating to 'cross'. It is believed that it may have originally been an occupational name for somebody who was employed as a maker of crosses, however other sources suggest that the name refers to a 'cross-bowman' or 'cross-bowman of the law'. This was someone who acted for the king or sheriff to carry the cross-bow as an instrument of justice.

In Scotland, variations of the name may be found as the Crouther spelling. The Crouther spelling of the surname can be traced back to the early 1500s, with individuals bearing the name recorded in Aberdeenshire and Angus. This variation of the name is also found in Northern Ireland, however its origin is unknown.

Famous people with the name Crosher

• Tyler Crosser: Actor and Director
• Marc Crosser: Comedian and Actor
• Nick Crosser: Musician
• Steve Crosser: Author and Explorer
• Ken Crosser: Olympic Medalist
• Don Crosser: Professional Baseball Player
• Will Crosser: Soccer Player
• Rob Crosser: Entrepreneur and Investor
• Jack Crosser: Baseball Coach
• Stewart Crosser: Scholar and Astronomer

Other surnames

Croshaw