For the name of this parish, it is in Cornish Crows-on, the cross;
probably so called from some notable cross erected in the parish.
But nevertheless, I learn from others that the name is derived from
its female patroness, Sancta Crewenna, and not from any noted cross.
In the Lincoln Taxation it is written Ecclesia Sancte Crewenne: which
Crewenne, says Leland, came over from Ireland with St. Breage, or
Breaca.
Mr. Tonkin reports what is stated by Mr. Hals of the family of St.
Aubyn, and adds, in the year 1733: This family has been no less than
six times Sheriff of Cornwall. They have served their prince and
country, not only in the office of sheriff, but also as members of
parliament and as justices of the peace.
The Sergreaulxes were of old a family of noble fame and worth in this
County. It appears, from Carew’s Survey, that Richard de Sergreaulx
held three fees by the tenure of knights’ service, tempore Henry IV.
at Killigarth, Lerneth, and Lonsallos. Also, he had Killcoid (now
Colguite) in the parish of Holland.
Tregeare, in this parish, Tre(g)eor (the g euphoniæ gratiâ to avoid an
elision), is the mansion of an old family from thence denominated.
Arms: Argent, a fess voided Sable, charged with three Torteauxes
between three Cornish choughs Proper. Tregeare, interpreted, signifies
not only a dwelling in honour, but an honourable dwelling; neither had
the Saxon nor Kernawith Britons any other word to express honour or
honourable by than the termination ge or gor, as appears not only from
that incomparable antiquary Verstegan,[37] but also from the names of
divers places among our ancestors. I have further to add respecting
the word geor, and as we have many places so called in the County I
shall once for all endeavour to give the true meaning of it.
Geare, fruitful, from guer, viridis, green (see Lhuyd’s Archæologia,
vol. I. fol. Oxford, 1707, p. 174,) as this estate is at present, and
as all others of the same name, I presume, formerly were. The family
of Tregeare are said to date from before the Conquest.
Manor of Hellegar and Clowance: For Hellegar was formerly the chief
place, and signifies the hall or place on the Downs; and there was
lately standing there, and I believe yet remains, a hall of large
dimensions. This was anciently the seat of a family bearing the same
name; whose arms were, Gules, a bend Vaire between six cross-crosslets
Or. Sibill, one of the daughters and co-heiresses of this house,
married Pierce Kemell, or Kymyell, of Kymyell, in St. Buian, whose
arms were, Argent, three dolphins in pale Sable. Elizabeth, one of the
daughters and coheiresses of Pearce Kemell, married Geoffrey St.
Aubyn, the second son of Guy St. Aubyn, Knight, and brought to him,
with several other lands, this manor of Hellegar and Clowance.