Crosby Tartans & Clan Information

Scottish Clans

Crosby Tartans & Clan

The Crosby clan tartan represents one of Scotland's distinguished Anglo-Norman families, whose legacy spans from medieval Cumberland origins to prominent settlements across England, Ireland, and North America through centuries of service.

Clan Motto

Per aspera ad astra
(Through hardships to the stars)

Heritage & Identity

Who Wears Crosby Tartan?

Worn by Crosby descendants worldwide, sept families including Crosbie and Crossby bearers, Highland enthusiasts, and Scottish heritage celebrants across America, Canada, Britain, and Ireland.

Associated Names

Crosbie

Crossby

Crosbey

Crosbee

de Crosby

MacCrosby

Crosbey

Crozby

Croosbie

Croisbie

Crasby

Croswell

Military Heritage

Associated Regiments

Crosby warriors served in British Army regiments, American Revolutionary forces, Canadian militia units, and Irish regiments, particularly excelling in colonial campaigns and frontier service across North America.

Cumberland Militia (England)

Royal Irish Regiment (Ireland)

Nova Scotia Fencibles (Canada)

American Continental Army (USA)

King's Royal Regiment of New York (Canada)

Shop Crosby Tartan Products

Discover authentic Crosby clan products including traditional kilts, Highland dress accessories, clan crests, tartan scarves, ties, and ceremonial items crafted for descendants across North America and Britain.

Crosby Tartans

0 Variations

Each tartan can feature several variations, with the most common being Ancient, Modern, Weathered, Hunting and Dress.

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Ancient Tartan

Before 1860, all fabric dyes came from nature — plants, berries, bark, and insects. The colours they produced were softer and more muted than what we're used to today: think mossy greens, dusty sky blues, and reds with a warm, orangey tone. A lot of people actually prefer Ancient tartans for this reason — the gentler contrasts let the pattern breathe and stand out in a way that bolder colours sometimes don't. Worth knowing: the pattern itself, called the sett, is exactly the same across all variations of a tartan. It's only the colours that change.

The Crosby Story

Four centuries of history woven into every thread

Anglo-Norman Origins

The Crosby clan traces its origins to Anglo-Norman settlers who arrived in England following the Norman Conquest of 1066. Early clan records show the family established themselves in Cumberland, Lancashire, and Yorkshire, taking their name from villages marked by ancient stone crosses. The earliest documented Crosby ancestor appears in 12th-century records as holders of lands in Cumberland. The family quickly integrated into English medieval society, serving as landholders, merchants, and local administrators while maintaining their distinctive identity through generations of service to the Crown.

Clan Expansion

During the 13th and 14th centuries, Crosby family branches expanded throughout northern England and into Scotland's border regions. Notable clan members included Sir Thomas de Crosby, who held extensive lands in Cumberland, and his descendants who established cadet branches in Ireland during the Anglo-Norman expansion. The family weathered the Scottish Wars of Independence while maintaining loyalty to English kings, though some Scottish Crosby branches supported Robert the Bruce. Medieval Crosbys distinguished themselves as skilled administrators, serving in local government and developing extensive trade networks.

Where does the name Crosby come from?

Crosby derives from Old Norse 'Kross-by' meaning 'village with a cross' or from the Anglo-Saxon 'cross settlement.' The name originates from various English locations called Crosby, particularly in Cumberland and Lancashire, where Norman families established themselves after 1066. This locative surname reflects medieval settlement patterns, with early bearers taking their family name from their village of origin near ancient stone crosses.

Colonial Migration

The 16th and 17th centuries saw Crosby families migrate to Ireland during the Plantation period, establishing significant holdings in Ulster and Munster. English Crosby branches maintained their Cumberland estates while expanding into maritime trade and colonial ventures. During the English Civil War, different Crosby branches supported opposing sides, with some fighting for Parliament and others remaining loyal to the Crown. The family adapted to religious changes of the Reformation, with most branches embracing Protestantism while maintaining their traditional clan bonds and heritage.

Colonial Expansion

Throughout the 18th and 19th centuries, Crosbys emigrated extensively to North America, establishing settlements in Nova Scotia, New England, and the American frontier territories. Many served in colonial militias during the American Revolution, with family members fighting on both sides of the conflict. Irish Crosbys migrated to Canada and the United States during the Great Famine, while English branches continued their maritime traditions. The clan produced notable educators, politicians, and business leaders who helped shape the development of American and Canadian communities while preserving their ancestral heritage.

The Crosby tartan weaves together Anglo-Norman heritage and Scottish Highland tradition, worn with pride by descendants from Cumberland to Canada and America.

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