Cruz is a

surname In some cultures, a surname, family name, or last name is the portion of one's personal name that indicates one's family, tribe or community. Practices vary by culture. The family name may be placed at either the start of a person's full name ...

of Iberian origin, first found in Castile, Spain, but later spread throughout the territories of the former Spanish and

Portuguese Empire The Portuguese Empire ( pt, Império Português), also known as the Portuguese Overseas (''Ultramar Português'') or the Portuguese Colonial Empire (''Império Colonial Português''), was composed of the overseas colonies, factories, and the l ...

s. In Spanish and Portuguese, the word means "cross", either the Christian cross or the figure of transecting lines or ways. For example, in the

Philippines The Philippines (; fil, Pilipinas, links=no), officially the Republic of the Philippines ( fil, Republika ng Pilipinas, links=no), * bik, Republika kan Filipinas * ceb, Republika sa Pilipinas * cbk, República de Filipinas * hil, Republ ...

, the adopted Tagalog word is rendered to "krus" in plain usage, but the Spanish spelling survives as a surname. The word "Cruz" (Spanish for "Cross"), as well as "Vera Cruz" ("True Cross") and "Santa Cruz" ("Holy Cross") are used as surnames and toponyms. Its origin as a surname particularly flourished after the

Alhambra Decree The Alhambra Decree (also known as the Edict of Expulsion; Spanish: ''Decreto de la Alhambra'', ''Edicto de Granada'') was an edict issued on 31 March 1492, by the joint Catholic Monarchs of Spain ( Isabella I of Castile and Ferdinand II of Arag ...

of 1492 and the increasing activities of the Spanish Inquisition, when New Christian families with

Crypto-Jewish Crypto-Judaism is the secret adherence to Judaism while publicly professing to be of another faith; practitioners are referred to as "crypto-Jews" (origin from Greek ''kryptos'' – , 'hidden'). The term is especially applied historically to Sp ...

Moorish The term Moor, derived from the ancient Mauri, is an exonym first used by Christian Europeans to designate the Muslim inhabitants of the Maghreb, the Iberian Peninsula, Sicily and Malta during the Middle Ages. Moors are not a distinct or se ...

, and/or mixed religious heritage converted to the state-enforced religion of

Catholicism The Catholic Church, also known as the Roman Catholic Church, is the largest Christian church, with 1.3 billion baptized Catholics worldwide . It is among the world's oldest and largest international institutions, and has played a ...

and subsequently fashioned and adopted surnames with unambiguous religious affiliation.

People with the surname

General

* Alberto Cruz (disambiguation), multiple people *

Alejandro Cruz (disambiguation) Alejandro Cruz may refer to: * Alejandro Cruz Ortiz (1921–2007), Mexican luchador (professional wrestler) known as Black Shadow * Alejandro Cruz (politician) (c. 1930–1993), Puerto Rican softball player and mayor of Guaynabo * Alejandro Cruz ...

, multiple people * Alex Cruz (disambiguation), multiple people *

Arturo Cruz Arturo José Cruz Porras (December 18, 1923 – July 9, 2013), sometimes called Arturo Cruz Sr. to distinguish him from his son, was a Nicaraguan banker and technocrat. He became prominent in politics during the Sandinista (FSLN) era. After repeate ...

(1923–2013), Nicaraguan rebel leader *

Carlos Cruz (disambiguation) Carlos Cruz may refer to: *Carlos Cruz (boxer) (1937–1970), Dominican lightweight world champion *Carlos Cruz (television presenter) (born 1942), Portuguese presenter and convicted paedophile *Juan-Carlos Cruz (born 1962), celebrity chef on Food ...

, multiple people *

Isagani Cruz Isagani A. Cruz (October 11, 1924 – March 21, 2013) was a Filipino judge who served as an associate justice of the Supreme Court of the Philippines from 1986 to 1994. He retired from the Supreme Court on October 11, 1994, due to the court's ma ...

(c. 1924 – 2013), Filipino judge * Juan-Carlos Cruz (born 1962), Dominican American celebrity chef * Maria Silva Cruz (1915-1936), Spanish anarchist * Maximiano Tuazon Cruz (1923–2013), Filipino Roman Catholic bishop * Nicky Cruz (born 1938), Puerto Rican-American ex-gang leader and religious minister * Nikolas Cruz (born 1998), American criminal suspect in the

Stoneman Douglas High School shooting On February 14, 2018, 19-year-old Nikolas Cruz opened fire on students and staff at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in the Miami suburban town of Parkland, Florida, murdering 17 people and injuring 17 others. Cruz, a former student at t ...

* Oswaldo Cruz (1872–1917), Brazilian physician, bacteriologist, and epidemiologist * Richard Cruz (disambiguation), multiple people

Arts

General

* Amina Cruz, American photographer * Claudia Cruz (born 1986), Dominican Miss World contestant 2004 * Gaspar da Cruz (ca. 1520–1570), Portuguese Dominican friar, author of the first European book on China *

Gemma Cruz Gemma Teresa Guerrero Cruz—Araneta (; born 30 September 1943) is a Filipino politician, writer, director, and beauty queen who won Miss International 1964, becoming the first Filipino and Asian to win the title. She received an "Outstanding Ma ...

, Filipino crowned Miss International * Nilo Cruz (born 1962), Cuban-American playwright and Pulitzer prize winner

Actors and Actresses

;General * Ernesto Gómez Cruz (born 1933), Mexican actor * Ileana D'Cruz, Indian actress from Goa *

Mónica Cruz Mónica Cruz Sánchez (born 16 March 1977) is a Spanish actress and dancer. She is the younger sister of actress Penélope Cruz. She has appeared in the films ''The Inquiry'' (2006), ''Last Hour'' (2008), ''Jerry Cotton'' (2010) and ''Iron Cro ...

(born 1977), Spanish dancer and actress; sister of Penélope Cruz * Penélope Cruz (born 1974), Spanish actress ;American * Raphael Cruz, American acrobat,

Cirque du Soleil Cirque du Soleil (, ; "Circus of the Sun" or "Sun Circus") is a Canadian entertainment company and the largest contemporary circus producer in the world. Located in the inner-city area of Saint-Michel, it was founded in Baie-Saint-Paul on 16 Ju ...

performer and actor *

Wilson Cruz Wilson Cruz (born Wilson Echevarría; December 27, 1973) is an American actor known for playing Rickie Vasquez on ''My So-Called Life'', Angel in the Broadway tour production of ''Rent (musical), Rent'', Hugh Culber, Dr. Hugh Culber on ''Star Tr ...

(born 1973), Puerto Rican-American actor * Alexis Cruz (born 1974), Puerto Rican-American actor * Brandon Cruz (born 1962), American actor and musician ;Filipino *

Donna Cruz Donna Cruz Yrastorza-Larrazabal professionally known as Donna Cruz is a Filipina singer and actress. She is a member of the Philippine showbiz family Cruz. Her self-titled debut album ''Donna'' was well received by the general public and earn ...

(born 1977), Filipina actress and singer * Ella Cruz (born 1996), Filipino Actress * Geneva Cruz (born 1976), Filipino actress and singer *Jesse Cruz, birth name of

Ricky Belmonte Jesus Velez Cruz (; December 24, 1946 – October 3, 2001), better known by his stage name Ricky Belmonte, was a Filipino actor, popular during the 1960s as one of Sampaguita Pictures' talents. Personal life Belmonte was born as Jesus Velez Cru ...

(1947-2001), Filipino actor * John Lloyd Cruz (born 1983), Filipino actor * Rayver Cruz (born 1989), Filipino actor/dancer * Rodjun Cruz (born 1987), Filipino actor/dancer *

Sheryl Cruz Sheryl Rose Anna Marie Sonora Cruz (born April 5, 1974), better known as Sheryl Cruz, is a Filipino actress and singer. She is known for her roles as Divina Ferrer in 2007's television drama series ''Sinasamba Kita'', as Valeria in '' Bakekang ...

(born 1974), Filipino actress * Sunshine Cruz (born 1977), Filipino actress * Tirso Cruz III (born 1953, Filipino actor

Musical Artists

;General *

Celia Cruz Úrsula Hilaria Celia de la Caridad Cruz Alfonso (21 October 1925 – 16 July 2003), known as Celia Cruz, was a naturalized Cuban-American singer and one of the most popular Latin artists of the 20th century. Cruz rose to fame in Cuba during t ...

(1924-2003), Cuban salsa singer *

Simon Cruz Simon Cruz (born Simon Söderström; 26 July 1979), is a Swedes, Swedish rock singer most famous for being the former lead singer for the Swedish sleaze rock band Crashdïet. Pre-Crashdïet Details of Cruz's early life, such as his childhood ar ...

, Swedish singer of glam metal band Crashdïet * Taio Cruz, British singer (born Adetayo Ayowale O. A. Onile-Ere) ;American * Adam Cruz, American jazz drummer * Tony Sunshine (Antonio Cruz, born 1977), Puerto Rican R&B singer *

Bobby Cruz Bobby Cruz (born February 2, 1937), is a salsa singer and religious minister. He was part of the duo Richie Ray & Bobby Cruz. Both Cruz and Ray became religious ministers and as such founded over 70 Christian churches during the time they retired ...

(born 1937), Puerto Rican salsa singer and religious minister *

Jason Cruz Jason Alexander Cruz (born February 6, 1974) is the American lead singer and lyricist of punk band Strung Out, which formed in 1989 when he was 15 years old. He is also an artist, and a poet and fronts his roots Americana band 'Jason Cruz and ...

(born 1974), American musician, artist, poet

Politicians

Angel Cruz Angel L. Cruz is a Democratic member of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives, representing the 180th District since 2001. Cruz is a member of the Pennsylvania Legislative Black Caucus The Pennsylvania Legislative Black Caucus is an Ameri ...

, a member of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives, 180th District *

Benjamin Cruz Benjamin Joseph "BJ" Franquez Cruz (born March 3, 1951) is an Chamorro lawyer, jurist, and politician who served as the Speaker of the 34th Guam Legislature from 2017 to 2018 and as Vice Speaker from 2009 to 2017. A member of the Democratic Par ...

(born 1951), Guamanian politician *

Catalina Cruz Catalina Cruz (born 1982/1983) is a Colombians, Colombian-Americans, American attorney from the borough of Queens in New York City. A member of the Democratic Party (United States), Democratic Party and former undocumented immigrant (DREAM Act, ...

(born 1980s), New York politician *

Gina Cruz Blackledge Gina Andrea Cruz Blackledge (born 8 July 1969) is a Mexican lawyer and politician who is the National Action Party Senator from the State of Baja California. Early life Cruz Blackledge was born in Mexicali. Education She graduated from t ...

(born 1969), Mexican politician, Senator from Baja California since 2018 *

Inmaculada Cruz María Inmaculada Cruz Salcedo (8 December 1960 – 4 August 2013) was a Spanish politician and teacher affiliated to the Spanish Socialist Workers' Party. She was elected as member of the Senate of Spain in 2011 representing Cuenca. She died on ...

(1960–2013), Spanish politician *

Ted Cruz Rafael Edward "Ted" Cruz (; born December 22, 1970) is an American politician and attorney serving as the junior United States Senator from Texas since 2013. A member of the Republican Party, Cruz served as Solicitor General of Texas from ...

(born 1970), (Rafael Edward Cruz) Canadian-American politician and United States Senator from Texas since 2013

Sports

Adolfo Schwelm Cruz Adolfo Carlos Julio Schwelm-Cruz (28 June 1923 – 10 February 2012) was a racing driver from Argentina. He participated in one Formula One World Championship Grand Prix, on 18 January 1953. He scored no championship points. Complete Formula ...

(1923–2012), Argentine Formula One race car driver *

Beatriz Cruz Beatriz Cruz Nazario (born June 15, 1980) is a Puerto Rican female track and field athlete, who competes in the sprints events. She represented her native country at the 2000 Summer Olympics, where she was eliminated in the first round of t ...

(born 1980), Puerto Rican track and field athlete * Carl Bryan Cruz (born 1991), Filipino basketball player * Dominick Cruz (born 1985), American professional mixed martial artist * Iohana Cruz (born 1980), Cuban diver * Jericho Cruz (born 1990), Filipino basketball player *

Jervy Cruz Jervy A. Cruz (born September 9, 1986) is a Filipino professional basketball player for the NorthPort Batang Pier of the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA). A former Most Valuable Player in the UAAP, Cruz was one of the reasons why the U ...

(born 1986), Filipino basketball player * Joaquim Cruz (born 1963), Brazilian athlete and Olympic gold medal winner * Julio Ricardo Cruz (born 1974), former Argentine soccer player * Leo Cruz (born 1957), Dominican boxing champion *

Nelson Cruz (athlete) Nelson Cruz (born 31 December 1977) is a Cape Verdean athlete, specializing in long-distance running, marathon and half marathon. Born in Lisbon to Cape Verdean parents, Nelson grew up in Portugal, having visited Cape Verde for the first time in A ...

(born 1977), long-distance runner from Cape Verde * Raúl Ceferino Cruz (1934–1985), Argentine chess master * Rolando Cruz (born 1939), Puerto Rican pole vaulter *

Roque Santa Cruz Roque Luis Santa Cruz Cantero (; born 16 August 1981) is a Paraguayan professional footballer who plays as a striker for Paraguayan club Club Libertad. He is the record goal scorer and has earned over 100 caps for the Paraguay national team ...

(born 1981), Paraguayan football player * Victor Cruz (American football) (born 1986), wide receiver *

Wendy Cruz Wendy Ramón Cruz Martínez (born 7 March 1976 in Santiago de los Caballeros) is a former professional cyclist from the Dominican Republic. Nicknamed ''El Ciclon'' he won the gold medal in the men's individual road race at the 2007 Pan American ...

(born 1976), Dominican Republic cyclist

Baseball

* Edvandro Cruz (born 1978), Brazilian mountain biker *

Fernando Cruz (baseball) Fernando E. Cruz (born March 28, 1990) is a Puerto Rican professional baseball pitcher for the Cincinnati Reds of Major League Baseball (MLB). He made his MLB debut with Cincinnati in 2022 at the age of 32, 15 years after he was initially drafted ...

(born 1990), Puerto Rican baseball player * Frank Cruz (born c. 1959), American college baseball coach * Jesús Cruz (born 1995), Mexican baseball player * José Cruz also known as Cheo Cruz (born 1947), Puerto Rican baseball player * José Cruz Jr. (born 1974), Puerto Rican baseball player * Juan Cruz (born 1978), Dominican baseball player * Luis Cruz (born 1984), American baseball player * Nelson Cruz (born 1980), baseball outfielder from Monte Cristi, Dominican Republic * Nelson Cruz (pitcher) (born 1972), baseball pitcher from Puerto Plata, Dominican Republic *

Oneil Cruz Oneil Cruz (born October 4, 1998) is a Dominican professional baseball player for the Pittsburgh Pirates. He made his MLB debut in 2021. Career Los Angeles Dodgers Cruz signed with the Los Angeles Dodgers in July 2015 as an international free a ...

(born 1998), Dominican baseball player

Volleyball

* Áurea Cruz (born 1982), Puerto Rican volleyball player *

Eva Cruz Eva Marie Cruz Dalmau (born January 22, 1974 in Toa Baja, Puerto Rico) is a member of the Puerto Rican national volleyball team. Cruz plays for Valencianas of Juncos in the Puerto Rican league of volleyball. She is for many "La Reina" ( ...

(born 1974), Puerto Rican volleyball player *

Flávio Cruz Flávio Rodolfo Gonçalves Cruz (born 28 August 1982) is a Portuguese volleyball player who plays for Castêlo da Maia and the Portugal national team. He earn honours as ''Best Spiker'' at the second 2008 Olympic Qualification Tournament in ...

(born 1982), Portuguese volleyball player * Jacqueline Cruz Silva (born 1962), Brazilian beach volleyball player

As a given name

* Cruz Bustamante (born 1953), American politician *

Cruz Martínez Esteruelas Cruz Martínez Esteruelas (4 February 1932 – 17 September 2000) was a Spanish politician who served as Minister of Education and Science of Spain between 1968 and 1973, during the Francoist dictatorship Francoist Spain ( es, España fra ...

(1932–2000), Spanish politician * Cruz Reynoso (1932-2021), American civil rights lawyer and jurist.

Fictional characters

*Artemio Cruz, protagonist of the novel ''

La muerte de Artemio Cruz ''The Death of Artemio Cruz'' ( es, La muerte de Artemio Cruz, ) is a novel written in 1962 by Mexican writer Carlos Fuentes. It is considered to be a milestone in the Latin American Boom. Plot summary Artemio Cruz, a corrupt soldier, politician, ...

'' by Carlos Fuentes *Ernesto De La Cruz, the main antagonist of '' Coco'' * Kaylie Cruz, fictional character on the ABC Family series, '' Make It or Break It'' * Maritza Cruz, police sergeant in the television drama ''Third Watch'' *Ramiro "Ram" Cruz, the main protagonist of the games ''

Total Overdose ''Total Overdose: A Gunslinger's Tale in Mexico'' (commonly referred to as simply ''Total Overdose'') is an open world third-person shooter video game developed by Deadline Games and published by SCi Games for Microsoft Windows, PlayStation 2 and ...

'' and '' Chili Con Carnage'' *

Soma Cruz is a fictional character and the protagonist of Konami's action-adventure games '' Castlevania: Aria of Sorrow'' and '' Castlevania: Dawn of Sorrow'', part of Konami's ''Castlevania'' video game series. He was designed by Ayami Kojima as part ...

in the video game '' Castlevania: Aria of Sorrow'' * Sonia Cruz, a character in the Netflix series '' Grand Army'' *

Jessica Cruz Jessica Cruz, one of the characters known as Green Lantern, is a superheroine appearing in American comic books published by DC Comics. Created by Geoff Johns, Doug Mahnke, Ivan Reis and Ethan Van Sciver, she is a member of the Green Lantern Corps ...

, a Green Lantern from DC Comics. *Cruz Ramirez, a character in '' Cars 3'' *Cruz Coronado, protagonist of ''

Explorer Academy Exploration refers to the historical practice of discovering remote lands. It is studied by geographers and historians. Two major eras of exploration occurred in human history: one of convergence, and one of divergence. The first, covering most ...

People with the surname

General

Arts

General

Actors and Actresses

Musical Artists

Politicians

Sports

Baseball

Volleyball

As a given name

Fictional characters

See also