Cruz is a surname of Iberian origin, first found in Castile, Spain, but later spread throughout the territories of the former

Spanish Spanish might refer to: * Items from or related to Spain: ** Spaniards are a nation and ethnic group indigenous to Spain **Spanish language, spoken in Spain and many Latin American countries **Spanish cuisine Other places * Spanish, Ontario, Ca ...

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 ...

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 Tagalog may refer to: Language * Tagalog language, a language spoken in the Philippines ** Old Tagalog, an archaic form of the language ** Batangas Tagalog, a dialect of the language * Tagalog script, the writing system historically used for Tagal ...

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 The Tribunal of the Holy Office of the Inquisition ( es, Tribunal del Santo Oficio de la Inquisición), commonly known as the Spanish Inquisition ( es, Inquisición española), was established in 1478 by the Catholic Monarchs of Spain, Cathol ...

, when New Christian families with Crypto-Jewish,

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 ...

, 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) Alberto Cruz may refer to: * Alberto Cruz (racewalker) (born 1972), Mexican racewalker *Alberto Cruz (soccer) (born 1971), American soccer player *Alberto Segismundo Cruz Alberto Segismundo Cruz (21 November 1901 – 8 October 1989) was a Filipin ...

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

Alex Cruz (disambiguation) Alex Cruz may refer to: * Alex Cruz (astronomer), American astronomer * Álex Cruz (businessman) (born 1966), Spanish businessman, ex Chief Executive of Vueling Airlines, and Chief Executive of British Airways * Alex Cruz (footballer, born 1985), B ...

, 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 repe ...

(1923–2013), Nicaraguan rebel leader * Carlos Cruz (disambiguation), multiple people * Isagani Cruz (c. 1924 – 2013), Filipino judge *

Juan-Carlos Cruz Juan-Carlos Cruz (born ca. 1962) is a Dominican American chef and the former host of ''Calorie Commando'' and ''Weighing In'' on the Food Network. Cruz lost 43 pounds on the Discovery Health Channel show ''Discovery Health Body Challenge'', which e ...

(born 1962), Dominican American celebrity chef *

Maria Silva Cruz Maria Silva Cruz (20 April 1915 – 23 August 1936) was a Spanish anarchist and a hero of the Casas Viejas Uprising in Spain. She was also known as "La Libertaria." Biography Silva Cruz was born and raised in Casas Viejas (now Benalup-Casas ...

(1915-1936), Spanish anarchist *

Maximiano Tuazon Cruz Maximiano Tuazon Cruz (April 4, 1923 – October 9, 2013) was a Filipino Prelate of the Catholic Church. Cruz was born in Catbalogan City, Philippines and was ordained a priest on November 30, 1947. He was appointed titular bishop to Tanudaia a ...

(1923–2013), Filipino Roman Catholic bishop *

Nicky Cruz Nicky Cruz (born December 6, 1938) is a Puerto Rican Christian evangelist, the founder of Nicky Cruz Outreach, an evangelistic Christian ministry. He was also once the director of Teen Challenge, serving under David Wilkerson before founding ...

(born 1938), Puerto Rican-American ex-gang leader and religious minister *

Nikolas Cruz 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 th ...

(born 1998), American criminal suspect in the Stoneman Douglas High School shooting *

Oswaldo Cruz Oswaldo Gonçalves Cruz, better known as Oswaldo Cruz (; August 5, 1872 – February 11, 1917), was a Brazilian physician, pioneer bacteriologist, epidemiologist and public health officer and the founder of the Oswaldo Cruz Institute. He occu ...

(1872–1917), Brazilian physician, bacteriologist, and epidemiologist *

Richard Cruz (disambiguation) Ricardo Cruz may refer to: * Ricardo Cruz (athlete) (born 1946), Salvadoran Olympic athlete * Ricardo Cruz (Brazilian footballer), Brazilian football manager and former goalkeeper * Ricardo Cruz (lawyer) (1943–1993), American lawyer * Ricardo C ...

, multiple people

Arts

General

Amina Cruz Amina Cruz is a photographer known for capturing queer punk scenes within the Latinx community and breaking cultural barriers with their work. Cruz captures the intimate moments shared between queer folk and is trying to expand the Latinx i ...

, American photographer *

Claudia Cruz Claudia Julissa Cruz Rodríguez (born February 5, 1986, in Bonao) is a Dominican actress, TV Host, model and beauty pageant titleholder who represented her country at the Miss World 2004 pageant. After representing Bonao and placing only as th ...

(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, 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 (born 1977), Spanish dancer and actress; sister of Penélope Cruz *

Penélope Cruz Penélope Cruz Sánchez (; ; born 28 April 1974) is a Spanish actress. Known for her roles in films of several genres, particularly those in the Spanish language, she has received various accolades, including an Academy Award and a British A ...

(born 1974), Spanish actress ;American *

Raphael Cruz Raphael Cruz (September 5, 1986 - January 26, 2018) was an American acrobat, clown and actor. Cruz is known for having played the lead role of Buster, a Buster Keaton inspired character, in the cinema themed Cirque du Soleil production ''Iri ...

, 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 ...

performer and actor * Wilson Cruz (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 ea ...

(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 (1947-2001), Filipino actor * John Lloyd Cruz (born 1983), Filipino actor *

Rayver Cruz Raymond Oliver Cruz Ilustre (born July 20, 1989), better known by his screen name Rayver Cruz (), is a Filipino actor, dancer, singer, and host. He is the younger brother of fellow actor and dancer Rodjun Cruz. Personal life Rayver is a ...

(born 1989), Filipino actor/dancer *

Rodjun Cruz Rodolfo Othello Cruz Ilustre, Jr. (born October 10, 1987), known professionally as Rodjun Cruz (), is a Filipino actor, dancer and singer. He is the brother of fellow actor and dancer Rayver Cruz. Biography Cruz started as a host, together with ...

(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 '' Bakekan ...

(born 1974), Filipino actress * Sunshine Cruz (born 1977), Filipino actress *

Tirso Cruz III Tirso Silvano Cruz III (born April 1, 1952) is a Filipino actor, comedian, and singer. He currently serves as the Chairperson of the Film Development Council of the Philippines. Regarded as a "matinee idol", Cruz is a FAMAS Award and Gawad Ur ...

(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 ...

(1924-2003), Cuban salsa singer *

Simon Cruz Simon Cruz (born Simon Söderström; 26 July 1979), is a 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 are virtua ...

, Swedish singer of glam metal band Crashdïet *

Taio Cruz Jacob Taio Cruz (; born Adetayo Ayowale Onile-Ere, 23 April 1980), better known professionally as Taio Cruz (stylized TΛIO CRUZ), is an English singer, songwriter and record producer from London, England, currently based in Los Angeles. In 200 ...

, 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 an ...

(born 1974), American musician, artist, poet

Politicians

* Angel Cruz, 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 Pa ...

(born 1951), Guamanian politician * Catalina Cruz (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 Frank Cruz (born 1959) is an American college baseball coach, who most recently served as the head coach of the USC Trojans baseball team. He held the position from 2011 through 2012. Cruz was relieved of his duties for "knowingly violating NC ...

(born c. 1959), American college baseball coach * Jesús Cruz (born 1995), Mexican baseball player *

José Cruz José Cruz Dilan (born August 8, 1947) nicknamed Cheo, is a Puerto Rican former professional baseball player, coach and baseball front office executive. He played in Major League Baseball as an outfielder from 1970 to 1988, most prominently a ...

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 Áurea Esther "Aury" Cruz Dalmau (born January 10, 1982) is an indoor and beach volleyball player from Puerto Rico who competed for the Puerto Rico national team at the 2008 Olympic Qualification Tournament in Japan, where she was named Bes ...

(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 Cruz Miguel Bustamante (born January 4, 1953) is an American politician. He previously served as the 45th lieutenant governor of California from 1999 to 2007, serving under governors Gray Davis and Arnold Schwarzenegger. A member of the Democr ...

(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 Carlos Fuentes Macías (; ; November 11, 1928 – May 15, 2012) was a Mexican novelist and essayist. Among his works are '' The Death of Artemio Cruz'' (1962), ''Aura'' (1962), '' Terra Nostra'' (1975), '' The Old Gringo'' (1985) and '' Christop ...

*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 Grand may refer to: People with the name * Grand (surname) * Grand L. Bush (born 1955), American actor * Grand Mixer DXT, American turntablist * Grand Puba (born 1966), American rapper Places * Grand, Oklahoma * Grand, Vosges, village and comm ...

'' *

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 Green Lantern is the name of several superheroes appearing in American comic books published by DC Comics. They fight evil with the aid of rings that grant them a variety of extraordinary powers, all of which come from imagination, fearlessness ...

from

DC Comics DC Comics, Inc. (doing business as DC) is an American comic book publisher and the flagship unit of DC Entertainment, a subsidiary of Warner Bros. Discovery. DC Comics is one of the largest and oldest American comic book companies, with their f ...

. *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