Surname von Lacroix - Meaning and Origin
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von Lacroix: What does the surname von Lacroix mean?
The surname von Lacroix is a Germanic patronymic name derived from a personal name created by combining two elements. The first element is ‘lac’, of Germanic origin, which was used to describe people who lived near a body of water. The second element, ‘croix’, is derived from the Latin crux, meaning ‘cross’. Therefore, von Lacroix translates literally as ‘of the cross by the water’.
This name is likely to be the descriptive name of the place of origin of the family it belonged to. In the Middle Ages, many families adopted fixed surnames which were inspired by the environment or places around them. This would have been especially relevant in Germany where much of the landscape is crisscrossed with rivers and streams.
von Lacroix could also have been originally associated with a profession rather than a place. 'Croix' derives from the Latin crux, meaning 'cross', which may have been in reference to the Christian faith. It is possible members of the family had associations to the church or the priesthood such as a clergymen or monk, or perhaps held a position related to the law.
Given the double-barreled or 'house' name style which was popular during the 18th and 19th centuries, von Lacroix may have also been a name adopted by a family who owned a home or estate near the waters or a cross. In any case, the name carried certain connotations of belonging to a special place.
Order DNA origin analysisvon Lacroix: Where does the name von Lacroix come from?
The surname von Lacroix is most commonly associated with Austria and South Tyrol, an autonomous region in Northern Italy, where the surname has been present for centuries. It is also found in other parts of Europe, including France, Holland, Germany, and Switzerland, although it is much rarer.
The von Lacroix family was originally of the nobility, as far back as the 12th century, when noble families began to take on family names. The family is considered by many to have been among the oldest and most influential noble families in Europe for centuries.
Today, the von Lacroix name is still found in Austria and South Tyrol. It is most often held by those of noble ancestry, although many people adopted the name after emigrating from their home countries to escape political or religious persecution.
In the U.S. the von Lacroix name is rare, but there are still a few families with the name living in the country. This includes multiple lines of descendants who trace their ancestry back to the early immigrants to the States, as well as generations of people born in the U.S. who, out of respect for their ancestors, decided to keep the family name.
The von Lacroix name is still a source of pride for many of its descendants, and a reminder of the noble families that gave them their heritage.
Variations of the surname von Lacroix
The surname von Lacroix is an aristocratic name of German origin, which used to be spelled von Lassloch. It is derived from the words laugen (salt) and loch (hole) and refers to the salt lick or salt mine which was owned by the family in its ancestral homeland. Several variants of this surname exist.
Von Lacroix often appears as von Lakritz, von Laskrits, von Laschroitz, von Lecrawiz, von Lakroitz, or von Lachroisse. It can also be found spelled as de Lacroix, de Lacry, de Lecrawiz, or de Lacritz.
The same ancestor may also be known by different surnames, depending on their place of origin. In Dutch-speaking regions, for example, Lacroix may be written as Kroes, Kros, de Kroon, de Kroes, de Kross, or de Kroeze.
In France, the name may be spelled LaCroix, Lacroix, LaCrosse, LaCroyse, LaCrouyse, LaCroysse, or Lacrouse.
In Quebec, the name might be written as Croix, Lacrois, Lacroise, Lacroixse, Lacroys, or de La Cruz.
In the United States, the name may be written LaCroix, de LaCroix, DeLaCroix, de la Cruz, DelaCroix, or Delacroix.
Overall, Von Lacroix is a unique and versatile surname, with numerous variants and spellings. No matter how it is written, it is a Germanic surname that refers to the ancestral salt lick or salt mine, and its origin can be traced back to the Middle Ages.
Famous people with the name von Lacroix
- Oscar von Lacroix: A Swedish opera singer and actor who rose to fame in the mid-1960s.
- Edith von Lacroix: A German soprano known for her light and lyrical voice.
- Jens von Lacroix: A German composer who wrote music for films, television shows and video games.
- Julian von Lacroix: A French-German actor best known for his roles in the 1970s films “The Cat From Outer Space” and “The Hunchback of Notre Dame.”
- Blanche von Lacroix: A French stage and film actress who was nominated for a César Award in 1982 for her role in “The Lodger.”
- Werner von Lacroix: A German film director, best known for the 1980 drama “The STEM School.”
- Erich von Lacroix: A German motor racing driver who competed in various European-based formulas from the late 1930s until the early 1950s.
- Claude von Lacroix: An Austrian born industrialist and investor, whose vision played a role in the industrial revolution in Europe.
- Charlotte von Lacroix: A French novelist and intellectual whose most famous works include “Le Couple Littéraire” and “Le Roman d’Un Rebelle.”
- Henriette von Lacroix: A German artist best known for her portrait and landscape paintings.