Carncross or Cairncross is a topographic name for one dwelling in a place thus called in Angus (Scotland). 'Cairncross' gets its name from a heap of stones with a cross in the centre and in old charters was Latinized as 'Carnea Crux'. Alternate spellings of the name have included Carnecors (1388), Carincors (1438), Carncorse (1518) - One Nicol Carncorse, was a bailie of Edinburgh and dean of guild (1518-30) and Carniecroce (1600). The spelling Cairncrose appeared in the middle of the 17th century. The first recorded spelling of the family name is shown to be that of Duncan de Carycros (witness) which was dated C. 1325 Charter of Henry de Maule of Panmure during the reign of King Robert (the Bruce) 1306 - 1329. 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.

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