The origin of the name Porto da Cruz is associated to a cross found by the navigators, between Ribeira da Manta and Ponta de São Lourenço. This name means harbour of the cross. Like in Machico, there is a legend behind the origin of this civil parish.
There are also accounts that state that the first explorers of Porto da Cruz planted a cross in the small bay that serves as harbour. Thus, the name.
The first lands cleared up on the northern coast were those of Porto da Cruz and Faial.
Historians believe that some close descendents from the first donee, Tristão Vaz, had uncultivated lands in this civil parish.
The precise date of the settlement is not known. However, it is known, that this was one of the first parishes being colonised.
One of the first settlers was one of Tristão Vaz Teixeira’s sons.
Accounts state that the old Leal family, owners of one of the wealthiest manor houses on the Island, located close to the chapel of S. João Nepomuceno, lived there.