Surname Crossman - Meaning and Origin
all surnames with 'C'
Crossman: What does the surname Crossman mean?
The surname Crossman is of English origin and can be traced back to medieval times. It primarily functions as an occupational surname, deriving from an old English term "cros", meaning "cross", and "mann", meaning "man".
The initial bearers of this surname likely held important roles in the Christian church or were individuals who made or carried crosses for religious purposes, possibly during processions or on pilgrimage routes. It could also refer to someone living near a prominent stone cross or a crossroad.
The term "cross" was also used in other contexts in Old English, such as a market cross or a wayside cross, so it's also possible that the original Crossman was associated with these.
Like many surnames, various spellings including "Crossman", "Crosham", and "Croasdaile" were seen throughout history. Today, hundreds of individuals bear the surname Crossman in many nations around the world, with the most concentrated populations in England, the United States, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand.
Thus, the Crossman surname reflects a connection to early Christian practices, geographical locations, or specific roles within a community.
Order DNA origin analysisCrossman: Where does the name Crossman come from?
The surname Crossman is of Anglo-Saxon origin and is popular in England. This patronymic name derives from an occupation, specifically for a person who served as a cross bearer in processions of the Christian Church. It was also probably used as a nickname for a person who carried the cross in processions, such as ones held on Palm Sunday and Good Friday.
The name first appeared in records from Somerset, where a family seat was established after the Norman Conquest in 1066. The name even has its own coat of arms, which was granted to a family in Dorset. The Crossman family lived in Somerset and were influential in the development of British society that followed the Norman Conquest.
Today, the last name Crossman is most commonly found in the United Kingdom, the United States, Australia, Canada, and New Zealand. In many of these regions, descendants of the Crossman family have become notable figures in fields such as politics, science, sports, and the arts.
Variations of the surname Crossman
The surname Crossman is of English origin and is derived from the title "cross-man," denoting a caretaker of a particular cross in religious contexts. Other variants include Crosman and Crosmun.
Alternative spellings can be seen in historical documents. These include variations such as Crossmen, Crossmon, Crossmin, Crosseman, and Crooseman due to variances in phonetic transcription and literacy levels at the time.
There are plenty of surnames that might not be direct derivations of Crossman but could be related because they carry a similar meaning, usage, or are a combination of similar words in English. For instance, Crouchman (from the word "crouch" similar to "cross") or Bridgeman (from the word "bridge" which can serve the same function as a cross) might carry similar implications.
In some cases, names may be altered or adopted due to regional dialects, immigration, or anglicization. For example, the German surname Kreuzmann, meaning "cross man," might have been anglicized to Crossman when German immigrants moved to English-speaking countries. Thus, Kreuzmann can also be a variant of Crossman, yet not of English origin.
Famous people with the name Crossman
- Danielle Crossman: A Canadian artist and crafter best known for her works in jewelry design, illustration, and painting.
- Arthur Lyon Crossman: A New Zealand politician who was a Member of Parliament in the South Island.
- Cecil Henry Crossman: An Australian cricket player who played for the South Australian cricket team.
- Richard George Andrew Crossman: A British Labour Party politician and Member of Parliament.
- Thomas Crossman: A British architect best known for his design of churches in England during the Victorian era.
- Derek Ivan Crossman: A former British Conservative Party politician.
- Vanessa Crossman: A New Zealand producer and director known for her works in films and documentaries.
- David Crossman: A renowned British costume and production designer for theater, film, and television.
- Harley Crossman: An Australian rules footballer who played for the North Adelaide Football Club in South Australia.
- Eric William Crossman: A Canadian Diplomat who served as the High Commissioner to Australia. There are also characters in literature named Crossman, such as Katie Crossman from Joanna Higgins’ novel “Dead Center” and Ernie Crossman from the Jason Bourne series by Robert Ludlum. Crossman is also associated with the brand "Crossman Corporation", a major manufacturer of air guns and airsoft equipment.