Origin The name Crosthwaite, also commonly spelled Crosthwait, Crosswait, or even Crosswhite, is an English word meaning a clearing in the shape of a cross. A note to visitors at St. Kentigern Church Keswick, Cumbria , United Kingdom states that "the church is dedicated to St. Kentigern (also known in Scotland as St. Mungo), the first Bishop of Strathclyde, and missionary to Cumberland and North Wales. He came to this area and set up his cross in a clearing (Thwaite) here in the year 553."

America The earliest record of the "possible immigrant ancestor" for the Kentucky Crosthwaites, is William, who came to Pennsylvania in 1706 [one source] and reportedly set up the Philadelphia Library with Benjamin Franklin [Source: Pennsylvania Magazine, Vol. 23, p. 107]. This may or may not be the William who went to Virginia about 1733, and died there 9 October 1743. An early (8 Aug. 1733) land transaction in Spotsylvania County, Virginia mentions "William Crosthwait, late of the province of Pensilvania, but now of the parish, county, " aforesaid, i.e., St. Mark's Parish. By 1738 he is listed in Orange County, Virginia.

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