Surname Norcross - Meaning and Origin
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Norcross: What does the surname Norcross mean?
The surname Norcross is of Anglo-Saxon origin, derived from a geographical location in Lancashire, England called Norcross, near Blackpool. The place name Norcross is said to mean "northern cross" or "cross of the north," based on the Old English words "norþ," meaning north, and "cros," referring to a cross which probably served as a religious symbol or a boundary marker. Hence, the surname may have been used to identify a person who lived near this landmark. It follows a common practice of surnames in England derived from villages, towns, or places. The name Norcross appears in various records from the 12th century onwards. Despite the regional origins, individuals bearing this surname can be found worldwide today, often from families whose ancestors migrated, particularly to North America, in past centuries.
Order DNA origin analysisNorcross: Where does the name Norcross come from?
The surname Norcross is of Anglo-Saxon origin, primarily traced back to England. It is a geographical or locational surname, derived from a place named Norcross in the county of Lancashire. The term "Norcross" is a combination of "north" and "cross," referring to a crossroad or cross in the northern part of a place.
This surname, like many, began as a way to identify people who hailed from a specific location. Such names became necessary as populations grew and travel became more common during medieval times. Individuals would be identified as John of Norcross, or Peter from Norcross, for instance. This eventually became shortened to John Norcross or Peter Norcross.
Today, the surname Norcross can be found throughout the English-speaking world especially in the United States, Australia, Canada, and the United Kingdom. However, it is relatively rare compared to more commonplace surnames. In the United States, the largest concentrations of people with the Norcross surname are found in the states of Maine, Massachusetts, and New Jersey. In England, it is still more common in the North West where Lancashire is located.
Variations of the surname Norcross
Some other ways to spell the surname Norcross include Norcrosse, Norcroce, Norcroise, Norcrouse, and Norcrouce. Some people may also spell it as Northcross, Northcroft, or even Northcrosse, although these are less common.
The surname Norcross is of English origin, deriving from a place named Norcross in Lancashire. As such, other surnames with the same geographical origin might include Lancashire, Blackpool, Thornton, Carleton, Fleetwood, Bispham, Poulton, or Staining.
It's also worth noting that many English surnames have undergone shifts in spelling over the centuries due to changes in pronunciation, transcription errors, and cultural influences. Thus, the variants of Norcross listed above aren't exhaustive, and there may be other spellings used by individuals or families today.
Lastly, as with many English surnames, Norcross could have also been altered when ancestors emigrated to other countries. For example, in the United States, it could have changed to Norco, Northcross, Norcro, or other variations to better suit English pronunciation norms in America. Remember, the variations of this surname depend on personal, historical, and cultural factors, which also could include mispronunciations and typos on official documents.
Famous people with the name Norcross
- John Norcross: An American psychologist and Professor of Psychology at the University of Scranton and a recognized expert in the field of behavioral change and psychotherapy.
- Donald Norcross: An American labor leader and Democratic Party politician who serves as the U.S. Representative for New Jersey's 1st congressional district.
- Andrew Norcross: A prominent designer and WordPress developer.
- Jeff Norcross: Sports broadcaster and former radio play-by-play announcer for the Portland Timbers, a Major League Soccer team.
- Judy Norcross: An Ohio-based artist known for her abstract painting and mixed media works.
- Chris Norcross: A Michigan-based acoustic singer-songwriter known for his charming, easy-listening sound. 7.In the UK, there are TV personalities and actors, Chris and Kirk Norcross, who are known for their appearances on the reality show "The Only Way is Essex."
- Dr. Bob Norcross: A known character in the long-running British TV series, "Emmerdale". NB: Some of these individuals may not be globally famous, but they are well-known within their professional, academic or regional spheres.