Surname De Cruce - Meaning and Origin
all surnames with 'D'
De Cruce: What does the surname De Cruce mean?
The last name De Cruce is of Latin origin and it means "from the cross". It can be attested predominantly in Italy and Spain, and to a lesser extent in other parts of the world too. It can signify a family connection to a significant religious event or site such as a church or to people who bore the cross as a significant role symbol in religious ceremonies. In other cases, it could have been used as a topographic name for someone living near a prominent cross. Today, due to migration and other global movements, the name can be found around the world, though it is still most common in areas with strong historical Latin influences. As with many surnames, De Cruce can also have many variations in spelling, including De La Cruce, De Crucis, Della Croce, and others.
Order DNA origin analysisDe Cruce: Where does the name De Cruce come from?
The surname De Cruce is of Latin origin, derived from the word 'crux' which means 'cross'. It initially referred to someone who lived near a cross, such as a road or bridge. Over time, it evolved into a family name and spread in various forms across different regions. The addition of 'De' before 'Cruce' is a Norman-French preposition meaning 'from', thus 'De Cruce' can be interpreted as 'from the cross'. This naming pattern is typical of Norman surnames and signifies a place of origin or residence.
Today, the surname is not extremely common in any particular region. However, it might be more frequently encountered in regions with significant Latin, Spanish, or French influence, owing to historical migrations and population movements. It's particularly prevalent in countries with a large Catholic population, given the significance of the cross in Christian/Catholic iconography. For instance, it may be found in France, Spain, Italy or Latin America. Nonetheless, with the mass globalization and movement of people, the surname De Cruce can be found in many parts of the world.
Variations of the surname De Cruce
The surname De Cruce is of Latin origin and translates as 'of the cross'. It is quite rare and has several spelling variants and derived surnames due to regional adaptations, phonetic spellings, and translations. Some of these include De Cruys, De Croy, De Croix, De la Cruce, De la Cruz, Cruz, Cruc, Croce, Crosse, Cross, and Croix.
The Spanish version De La Cruz is one of the most common, while the version Cruz is more popular in Spanish-speaking countries and among people of Hispanic descent. The version Croce is common in Italy, while Croix and Cross are more common in France and English-speaking countries, respectively.
There could be several other less common spellings due to individuals Anglicising or adjusting the name in accordance with their language or local pronunciation customs. The surname can be found in noble families as well, dating all the way back to the medieval era in various countries across Europe. In some cases, the 'De' might be dropped, leaving just the 'Cruce' part which can further evolve into various other spellings.
Famous people with the name De Cruce
- Daisy de Cruce: Brazilian bookstore owner, entrepreneur, and philanthropist
- Funmi De Cruce: Business professional and former U.S. Marketing Manager of Kraft Foods
- Fernando de Cruce: Spanish fashion designer
- David De Cruce: Author and outdoor education specialist
- Carlos De Cruce: Dutch composer and musician who has written the scores for several films
- Manoel de Cruce: Brazilian artist known for his landscapes, maritime scenes, and lively portrayals of his native Brazil
- Djalma de Cruce: Brazilian soccer player known for playing in the 1985 FIFA World Cup
- Roque De Cruce: Portuguese painter who specialized in still lifes
- Pieter de Cruce: Dutch lawyer and politician who served in the first Dutch cabinet of the 19th century
- Ruben De Cruce: Puerto Rican actor, director, writer, and teacher of theatre arts