Coat of Arms
Welcome to our family tree web site, it traces the descendants of Joseph Shallcross born 1st November 1789, and Martha Moss his wife.
Compiled by David Shallcross, of Atherton Lancashire England.
Acknowledgements to friends in Canada Evan & Rose Evans,who have provided a huge amount of information and records, & U.S.A.
Tom Shawcross, for records and historical notes, their assistance has been invaluable.
Should you wish to contact me regarding the web site, or discuss a possible link, click on my name above.
The earliest recorded spelling of our family name dates to the 11th century. Of the ninety spelling variations identified, three forms have survived - Shacklecross, Shallcross, and Shawcross. The name is derived from an ancient cross. This five-foot long eighth-century Christian stone relic is located at the junction of Elnor Lane and the Roman Road to Buxton near the Hamlet of Fernilee, in the Peak District National Park, Derbyshire.
To view a map of the Shall-Cross location click here. The National Grid reference is: SK 0163 7964
The Danes, who invaded the area circa 900 A.D; referred to it as a Shackle-Cross due to the shaft's resemblance to a shackle pin. This Cross, which commemorated some successful mission of the Archbishop Paulinius of York, in the district of our early home, gave in due course of time a territorial surname to our clan. (Source: Shallcross Pedigrees, published 1908, edited by Rev.W.H. Shawcross)
