Daily AncestorCeltic cross
A Celtic cross, a cross with a ring around the crossing, stands for eternal life and often for Irish or Scottish heritage on American graves.
The ring around the arms stands for eternity, and the form comes from the Celtic lands of the British Isles. American families of Irish and Scottish descent chose it as a statement of faith and of homeland.
That makes it a useful lead: look for an Irish or Scottish birthplace in the census, naturalization papers or church records. Other crosses also hint at origins, such as the Eastern Orthodox cross with a slanted lower bar.
As seen in a recordCatholic or town cemetery, 1860 to 1940
Granite Celtic cross with interlace: Patrick J. Gallagher, born Co. Donegal 1846, died 1911
Sources
How to cite this page
Daily Ancestor. "Celtic cross." Dictionary of Old Record Words. https://dailyancestor.com/dictionary/gravestone-symbols/celtic-cross. Last checked 2026-10-15.