Whitecross

This interesting surname is of Scottish locational origin, from any of the various minor places that get their names from a cross of white stone, perhaps principally Whitecross in the parish of Chapel, in Aberdeenshire. The name derives from the Old English pre 7th Century "hwit" meaning white and "cruc" a cross. The surname is first recorded in the early 16th Century, (see below). One Alexander Quheitcross, is recorded in the council register of the burgh of Aberdeen (1573). Gyles Whitcrosse was christened on December 31st 1586, at St. Giles, Cripplegate, London, and Elizabeth Whycorss married Alexander Gray, on June 18th 1669, in Edinburgh, Midlothian. The modern spelling in the Aberdeen church records include; Thomas Whitecross, who married Margaret Wilsone, on July 29th 1707, at Logie Buchan; on March 19th 1708, Thomas, son of David Whitecross, was christened at Ellon; and Thomas, son of Thomas Whitecross was christened on January 3rd 1714, at Cruden. The first recorded spelling of the family name is shown to be that of John Quhitcorse, which was dated 1508, Aberdeen church records, during the reign of King James 1V, "King of Scotland", 1488 - 1513. Surnames became necessary when governments introduced personal taxation. In England this was known as Poll Tax. Throughout the centuries, surnames in every country have continued to "develop" often leading to astonishing variants of the original spelling.