Show ContentsArblaster History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Arblaster is a name of ancient Norman origin. It arrived in England with the Norman Conquest of 1066. It is a name for a arbalester, a person who either built or operated a 12th century variation of the medieval European crossbow named "arbalest." Derived from the Medieval French term, it actually dates back to Roman times when the crossbow was referred to as a "arcuballista."

Early Origins of the Arblaster family

The surname Arblaster was first found in Norfolk, where they held a family seat after 1066.

Early History of the Arblaster family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Arblaster research. Another 209 words (15 lines of text) covering the years 1086, 1140, 1198, 1273, 1278, 1296, 1565, 1567, 1624, 1640 and 1700 are included under the topic Early Arblaster History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Arblaster Spelling Variations

Anglo-Norman names are characterized by a multitude of spelling variations. When the Normans became the ruling people of England in the 11th century, they introduced a new language into a society where the main languages of Old and later Middle English had no definite spelling rules. These languages were more often spoken than written, so they blended freely with one another. Contributing to this mixing of tongues was the fact that medieval scribes spelled words according to sound, ensuring that a person's name would appear differently in nearly every document in which it was recorded. The name has been spelled Arblaster, Arblast, Alablaster, Alabaster, Allblaster, Arbalistrius, Arbalistarius, Albalistarius, Arbelestre, Aleblaster, Allyblaster, Arbalister, Arbelaster and many more.

Early Notables of the Arblaster family

Outstanding amongst the family at this time was Geoffrey Arbalister, a prominent 12th century landholder in Essex; and William Alabaster (also Alablaster, Arblastier) (1567-1640), an English poet...
Another 26 words (2 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Arblaster Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.


Australia Arblaster migration to Australia +

Emigration to Australia followed the First Fleets of convicts, tradespeople and early settlers. Early immigrants include:

Arblaster Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century
  • Henry Arblaster, aged 28, a miner, who arrived in South Australia in 1855 aboard the ship "Admiral Boxer"

Contemporary Notables of the name Arblaster (post 1700) +

  • William J. "Bill" Arblaster (b. 1900), English professional footballer
  • Robert Arblaster (b. 1948), New Zealand former cricketer who played ten first-class matches for Auckland between 1977 and 1980
  • Dr Julie Michelle Arblaster, Australian scientist and acadmic, Associate Professor in the School of Earth, Atmosphere and Environment at Monash University
  • David Amos Arblaster (1929-2006), Australian politician, Minister for Culture, Sport and Recreation in 1976, and Minister for Tourism in 1976


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