Surname Lacross - Meaning and Origin

Lacross: What does the surname Lacross mean?

The last name Lacross is of French origin, derived from the word “la croix” which means “the cross” in English. It is typically a topographic name for someone who lived near a cross symbol, such as a crossroads or a market cross. This surname was often given to individuals who lived near a prominent stone cross in their village or region, erected as a surveying point or a religious landmark. It could also be given to individuals who carried the cross in processional ceremonies or as a professional name for a maker of crosses. However, the interpretation of the surname may vary based on geographical region and historical family occupation. Thus, the last name Lacross is deeply rooted in both locational and occupational significance.

Lacross: Where does the name Lacross come from?

The surname Lacross is primarily of French origin. The name is derived from the French word "la crosse" which means "the staff" or "the crosier." A crosier refers to a stylized staff carried by high-level Catholic Church officials, such as bishops or abbots. It signifies an individual carrying spiritual authority or jurisdiction, indicating the name probably had religious associations. The surname was likely used to identify individuals with a connection to the church, either as an employee or a devotee.

The variations of this name can include Lacrosse, Lacross, De Lacrosse, and others. Today, the last name Lacross is relatively rare. It can be found in various parts of the world due to diaspora, but it is more common in regions with a strong French influence such as Canada and France. In the United States, it is less common but can still be found, often in parts of the country with a history of French settlement, such as Louisiana. However, even in these areas, it's not a common surname. The sport of Lacrosse has a much higher level of recognition than the surname Lacross, causing occasional confusion.

Variations of the surname Lacross

The surname Lacross has variant spellings that reflect the differences in historical linguistic adaptation and/or geographical dispersal. Some of the most common variants and spellings of this surname include Lacrosse, Lacros, Lacrossee, Lecros, Lecross, Lecrosse, and Leacross.

The surname seems to have French origins, notably reflecting place of origin in the northern regions of France. The prefix "La" in French means 'the', and "cross" could be a reference to a crossroad or a landmark like a cross that served as a reference point in that region. Hence, people who migrated from these areas may have adopted these surnames.

Moreover, the surname may have been anglicized over time or upon migration to English-speaking countries, which might explain the variations in spelling. Additionally, transcription errors over time and misinterpretations due to handwriting have also contributed to these variations.

Also, a surname of similar phonetics and potentially same origin could be Lacroix, which translates to 'the cross' in French. Other surnames of similar origin could include Lacour, Lacrois, and Lacroux, again reflecting place-based indicators as surnames.

Please note that surname origins and variants can be ambiguous due to different socio-historical factors in play. Hence, one should consider genealogical research for more accurate information about individual family names.

Famous people with the name Lacross

• Steve Lacross: Former Major League Baseball pitcher who played for the St. Louis Cardinals and Detroit Tigers in the late 1960s and 1970s.
• Tyler Lacross: American lacrosse player who currently plays for the Redwoods LC of the Premier Lacrosse League (PLL).
• Jake Lacross: American lacrosse player and one of the top players in the history of the sport. He currently plays as an attacker for the Philadelphia Barrage of Major League Lacrosse (MLL).
• Maura Lacross: Former member of the United States women's national lacrosse team and a two-time All-American at the University of Virginia.
• Carl Lacross: Former Australian rules footballer who played for the Geelong Football Club in the Victorian Football League (VFL).
• Mark Lacross: American lacrosse player and coach who currently serves as the head coach of the NCAA Division I Lehigh University men's lacrosse team.
• Bob Lacross: Hall of Fame former lacrosse player who was inducted to the Lacrosse Hall of Fame in 1996.
• Bill Lacross: Professional lacrosse player who has won awards such as the National Lacrosse League (NLL) Goaltender of the Year and is a seven time All-Star.
• John Lacross: Professional lacrosse player who plays primarily as a midfield/attackman for the Boston Cannons and is the all-time saves leader in Major League Lacrosse (MLL).
• Peter Lacross: Former lacrosse player and coach who is best known as the former head coach of the Ohio State Buckeyes men's lacrosse team. He is a member of the Lacrosse Hall of Fame.

Other surnames

LacroixLacrosse