Cruz Surname Meaning and Origin

Cruz Surname Meaning and Origin The Cruz surname comes from a personal name meaning cross or dweller near a cross, from the Spanish cruz and Latin crux, meaning cross. It may also be a habitational name indicating one who came from any of several places with Cruc, Cruz or La Cruz in their name. Variants of this surname originated in just about every European country, including Cross (English), Groze (French) and Kreuze and Kreuziger (German). Cruz is the 82nd most popular surname in the United States. Cruz is also a popular Spanish name, coming in as the 17th most common Hispanic surname. Surname Origin:  Spanish, Portuguese Alternate Surname Spellings: CRUCES,  DE CRUZ, DE LA CRUZ, DA CRUZ, CRUZADO, CRUSE, CRUISE, CROSS, DCRUZ Famous People with the Surname CRUZ Ted Cruz - Republican senator from Texas; US presidential candidateBobby Cruz - Puerto Rican salsa singerCelia Cruz - Cuban American singerPenelope Cruz - Spanish actressMaria Silva Cruz - Spanish anarchist Where Do People With the CRUZ Surname Live? Surname distribution data at  Forebears  ranks Cruz as the worlds 186th most common surname, found in greatest numbers in Mexico and with the highest density in Guam. The Cruz surname is the most common surname in Guam, where one in forty-five bear the name. It ranks 11th in Honduras and the Northern Mariana Islands, 12th in Palau and Puerto Rico, and 15th in Nicaragua and Mexico. Within Europe, Cruz is most frequently found in Spain, according to  WorldNames PublicProfiler, especially in the southern regions and Canary Islands. It is also very common in northwest Argentina. Coat of Arms Contrary to what you may hear, there is no such thing as a Cruz family crest or coat of arms for the Cruz surname.  Coats of arms are granted to individuals, not families, and may rightfully be used only by the uninterrupted male-line descendants of the person to whom the coat of arms was originally granted. Genealogy Resources for the Surname CRUZ How to Research Hispanic HeritageLearn how to get started researching  your Hispanic ancestors, including the basics of family tree research and country-specific organizations, genealogical records, and resources for Spain, Latin America, Mexico, Brazil, the Caribbean and other Spanish speaking countries. CRUZ Family Genealogy ForumSearch this popular genealogy forum for the Cruz surname to find others who might be researching your ancestors, or post your own Cruz query. FamilySearch - CRUZ GenealogyAccess over 10 million free historical records and lineage-linked family trees posted for the Cruz surname and its variations on this free genealogy website hosted by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. GeneaNet - Cruz RecordsGeneaNet includes archival records, family trees, and other resources for individuals with the Cruz surname, with a concentration on records and families from France, Spain, and other European countries. CRUZ Surname Family Mailing ListsThis free mailing list for researchers of the Cruz surname and its variations includes subscription details and searchable archives of past messages. The Cruz Genealogy and Family Tree PageBrowse family trees and links to genealogical and historical records for individuals with the last name Cruz from the website of Genealogy Today. References Cottle, Basil.  Penguin Dictionary of Surnames. Baltimore, MD: Penguin Books, 1967.Dorward, David.  Scottish Surnames. Collins Celtic (Pocket edition), 1998.Fucilla, Joseph.  Our Italian Surnames. Genealogical Publishing Company, 2003.Hanks, Patrick and Flavia Hodges.  A Dictionary of Surnames. Oxford University Press, 1989.Hanks, Patrick.  Dictionary of American Family Names. Oxford University Press, 2003.Reaney, P.H.  A Dictionary of English Surnames. Oxford University Press, 1997.Smith, Elsdon C.  American Surnames. Genealogical Publishing Company, 1997.