Find out how popular the last name Cruse is in the United States and learn more about the meaning, history, and race and ethnic origin of people in America who are named Cruse.

Cruse, like all of the last names we have data for, is identified by the U.S. Census Bureau as a surname which has more than 100 occurrences in the United States in the Decennial Census survey. The most recent statistics we have for the Cruse surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Cruse in America

Cruse is the 4121st most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Cruse surname appeared 8,614 times in the 2010 census and if you were to sample 100,000 people in the United States, approximately 3 people would have the surname Cruse.

We can also compare 2010 data for Cruse to data from the previous census in 2000. The table below contains all of the statistics for both years in a side-by-side comparison.

The history of the last name Cruse

The surname Cruse has its origins in England, emerging during the medieval period. It is derived from the Old French word "crouse," which means "curly-haired" or "crisp." This descriptor was likely applied to someone with distinctively curly hair or perhaps a person with a crisp personality.

Historically, the Cruse name can be traced back to the late 12th century, appearing in various records from the county of Yorkshire. One of the earliest recorded instances is in the Pipe Rolls of Yorkshire from 1195, where a Robert Cruse is mentioned.

During the 13th century, the name gained prominence and spread to other regions of England. In the Hundred Rolls of 1273, a William Cruse is listed as a landowner in Lincolnshire. This suggests that the family had attained a certain level of social status by that time.

The Cruse name is also found in the renowned Domesday Book of 1086, although the spelling varies slightly as "Crus." This entry indicates the presence of the name in England shortly after the Norman Conquest.

Over the centuries, several notable individuals have carried the Cruse surname. In the 16th century, John Cruse (born c. 1510) was a prominent English politician who served as a Member of Parliament for Canterbury. Another notable figure was Sir John Cruse (1549-1629), a wealthy landowner and Member of Parliament for Lymington.

In the arts, Thomas Cruse (1624-1700) was a celebrated English painter known for his portraits and historical scenes. His works can be found in various collections, including the National Portrait Gallery in London.

Moving forward to the 18th century, William Cruse (1715-1785) was a respected English clergyman and author who wrote several religious texts and sermons. His works were widely read and influential during his lifetime.

Another significant figure was Sir Randolph Cruse (1741-1821), a British naval officer who played a crucial role in several battles during the Napoleonic Wars. He was knighted for his distinguished service and bravery.

While the name Cruse originated in England, it has since spread to other parts of the world, particularly through migration and settlement. However, the earliest recorded instances and historical references remain rooted in the English medieval period, reflecting the surname's enduring legacy and rich heritage.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Cruse

We also have some data on the ancestry of people with the surname Cruse.

The below race categories are the modified race categories used in the Census Bureau's population estimates program. All people were categorized into six mutually exclusive racial and Hispanic origin groups:

1. White only
2. Black only
3. American Indian and Alaskan Native only
4. Asian and Pacific Islander only
5. Hispanic
6. Two or More Races

For the most recent 2010 census data, the race/ethnic origin breakdown for Cruse was:

Note: Any fields showing (S) means the data was suppressed for privacy so that the data does not in any way identify any specific individuals.

Since we have data from the previous census in 2000, we can also compare the values to see how the popularity of Cruse has changed in the 10 years between the two census surveys.

Data source

The last name data and ethnic breakdown of last names is sourced directly from the Decennial Census survey, conducted every 10 years by the United States Census Bureau.

The history and meaning of the name Cruse was researched and written by our team of onomatology and genealogy experts.

If you have a correction or suggestion to improve the history of Cruse, please contact us.

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