The name is derived from the Czech common noun kříž meaning ‘cross’ and refers to an activity (e.g. cross bearer in a procession), a characteristic feature (e.g. complaints about bearing a cross in one’s life), a place of residence (e.g. near a cross) or a house sign, etc. It may also be derived from the Old Czech given name Kříž ‘Kříž’ (derived from the above-mentioned common noun) and refer to the connection with the father or another ancestor by that name.