Contents [hide]

Biron History Early Origins Early History Spelling Variations Early Notables World Ranking

Contemporary Notables Related Stories Motto Citations

Biron History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
England
France
Ireland

When the ancestors of the Biron family emigrated to England following the Norman Conquest in 1066 they brought their family name with them. They lived in Lancashire, Nottinghamshire and Yorkshire. As a Norman name, they claim descent from Beuron, near Mantes, Normandy, where the family lived prior to coming to England with the Norman invasion. 1

The name literally means "descendant of Byron (from the cottage); one who came from Byram (tumulus or cowshed), in Yorkshire." 2

Early Origins of the Biron family

The surname Biron was first found in Yorkshire where "the poet's ancestors were of unquestioned Norman origin. Ernisius (Erneis) de Burun held 32 lordships in Yorkshire, and Ralph de Burun, 13 in Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire, at the compilation of Domesday [Book]." 3 4

At about the same time, "Ralph de Biron held a barony in Notts and Derby, and had his castle in the latter county. How they were related to each other is not positively known, but they were probably brothers ; and it is from Ralph that the Barons Byron descend. His posterity remained seated at Horestan Castle for three generations, till Robert de Biron married the heiress of Clayton, and they removed (moved) into Lancashire." 5

"The Byrons belong to a very ancient and distinguished family of Nottingham, ennobled by James I.; and, as we also learn from Deering, Sir John Byron was constable of Nottingham castle in the reign of Henry VIII. Byron is still a Nottingham name." 6

Delving more into Nottinghamshire records, we found at Hucknall-Torkard, "the church is an ancient edifice, containing several monuments to different members of the Byron family, lords of Newstead Abbey, about two miles distant. Here lie the remains of the late celebrated poet, who was interred here, on the 16th of July, 1824, in the family vault: in the chancel is a neat mural monument, with an appropriate inscription. There is also a monument to his ancestor, Richard, Lord Byron, who, with seven brothers, faithfully served Charles I. during the civil war, and sustained great losses and hardships on account of loyalty to that monarch." 7

Back in Yorkshire, "this surname is derived from a geographical locality. 'of Byram,' a township in the parish of Brotherton, Yorkshire, formerly Byrom." 8

The Hundredorum Rolls of 1273 included: Roger de Birun, Yorkshire; Ralph de Birun, Lincolnshire; and Hugh de Byron, Nottinghamshire, while the Yorkshire Poll Tax Rolls of 1397 listed Johannes de Byrom; Elena de Byron (Byrom); Roger de Birne (Monk Fryston); and Thomas de Byrne (Selby.) 8

The family could have claimed decent from "the parish of Winwick, Lancashire. All the Lancashire Byroms hail from this spot. " 8 Again in Lancashire, but at Woolstone, with Martinscroft, a township, in the parish and union of Warrington, hundred of West Derby, we found: "in the 20th of Edward I., John Byrun claimed free warren here in right of his wife Alesia, heiress of Robert Banastre." 7

Early History of the Biron family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Biron research. Another 120 words (9 lines of text) covering the years 1324, 1488, 1498, 1501, 1503, 1523, 1524, 1526, 1527, 1528, 1540, 1542, 1543, 1551, 1552, 1576, 1600, 1606, 1636, 1643, 1645, 1679, 1695, 1788, 1812, 1824 and 1890 are included under the topic Early Biron History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Biron Spelling Variations

The English language only became standardized in the last few centuries. For that reason, spelling variations are common among many Anglo-Norman names. The shape of the English language was frequently changed with the introduction of elements of Norman French, Latin, and other European languages; even the spelling of literate people's names were subsequently modified. Biron has been recorded under many different variations, including Biron, Byron and others.

Early Notables of the Biron family

Outstanding amongst the family at this time was Sir Nicolas Byron, knighted by Arthur, Prince of Wales on his marriage, 14 November 1501 but died in 1503; Sir John Byron (c.1488-1576), an English knight from Colwick in Nottinghamshire, Sheriff of Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire 1523-1524, 1527-1528, 1542-1543 and 1551-1552...
Another 48 words (3 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Biron Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Biron World Ranking

In the United States, the name Biron is the 10,390^th most popular surname with an estimated 2,487 people with that name. 9 However, in Quebec, Canada, the name Biron is ranked the 836^th most popular surname. 10 And in France, the name Biron is the 3,361^st popular surname with an estimated 2,000 - 2,500 people with that name. 11

Migration of the Biron family to Ireland

Some of the Biron family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt.
Another 71 words (5 lines of text) about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Biron migration to the United States +

To escape the uncertainty of the political and religious uncertainty found in England, many English families boarded ships at great expense to sail for the colonies held by Britain. The passages were expensive, though, and the boats were unsafe, overcrowded, and ridden with disease. Those who were hardy and lucky enough to make the passage intact were rewarded with land, opportunity, and social environment less prone to religious and political persecution. Many of these families went on to be important contributors to the young nations of Canada and the United States where they settled. Birons were some of the first of the immigrants to arrive in North America:

Biron Settlers in United States in the 17th Century

Samuel Biron, who landed in Maryland in 1668 12

Biron Settlers in United States in the 19th Century

John Biron, who landed in Tippecanoe County, Ind in 1848 12
Peter, VI Biron, who arrived in America in 1857 12

Biron migration to Canada +

Some of the first settlers of this family name were:

Alexandre Biron, son of Pierre and Jeanne, who married Jeanne Morin, daughter of André and Marguerite, in Charlesbourg, Quebec on 16th August 1694 13
Étienne Biron, son of Étienne and Marie-Anne, who married Marie-Charlotte Fréchette, daughter of François and Marie-Charlotte, in Sainte-Croix, Quebec on 19th July 1751 13
Étienne Biron, son of François and Marie-Anne, who married Marie-Anne Houde, daughter of Gervais and Catherine, in Quebec on 21st November 1723 13
François Biron, son of Pierre and Jeanne, who married Marguerite Davaux, daughter of Charles and Marguerite, in Pointe-aux-Trembles, Quebec on 20th October 1691 13
François Biron, son of François and Marguerite, who married Marie-Jeanne Rognon, daughter of Guillaume and Marie-Angélique, in Sainte-Croix, Quebec on 3rd February 1728 13
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Biron Settlers in Canada in the 17th Century

Jean-François Biron, who married in Quebec in 1650
Pierre Biron married in Quebec in 1655
François Biron married in Pointe-aux-Trembles in 1691

Biron Settlers in Canada in the 18th Century

Jacques Biron married in Montreal in 1718
Joseph Biron married in Deschambault, Quebec in 1723

Biron Settlers in Canada in the 19th Century

François-Xavier-Antoine Biron was a lawyer in Richelieu from 1839 to 1859
Joseph-Hilaire Biron was a lawyer in Trois-Rivières from 1867 to 1891

Biron migration to Australia +

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

Biron Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century

Mr. George Biron, (b. 1806), aged 26 who was convicted in Somerset, England for 14 years for receiving stolen goods, transported aboard the "Circassian" on 4th November 1832, arriving in Tasmania (Van Diemen's Land) 14

Contemporary Notables of the name Biron (post 1700) +

Michel Biron CM (1934-2023), Canadian politician, Senator from 2001 to 2009
Mathieu Biron (b. 1980), Canadian professional (NHL) hockey player
Martin Biron (b. 1977), Canadian professional (NHL) hockey goaltender
Rodrigue Biron (b. 1934), Canadian politician in Quebec, leader of the Union Nationale political party (1976-1980), after which he joined the Parti Québécois
Jacques Biron, Canadian judge in Quebec
André Biron, Canadian educator at the École Polytechnique in Montreal
Duc Ernst Johann Biron (1690-1772), French soldier/ruler of Russia
Neil Biron Rhind MBE (1937-2024), English journalist and writer

The Biron Motto +

The motto was originally a war cry or slogan. Mottoes first began to be shown with arms in the 14th and 15th centuries, but were not in general use until the 17th century. Thus the oldest coats of arms generally do not include a motto. Mottoes seldom form part of the grant of arms: Under most heraldic authorities, a motto is an optional component of the coat of arms, and can be added to or changed at will; many families have chosen not to display a motto.

Motto: Crede Byron
Motto Translation: Trust Byron.

Citations +

The Norman People and Their Existing Descendants in the British Dominions and the United States Of America. Baltimore: Genealogical Publishing, 1975. Print. (ISBN 0-8063-0636-X)
Smith, Eldson Coles, New Dictionary of American Family Names New York: Harper & Row, 1956. Print
Lower, Mark Anthony, Patronymica Britannica, A Dictionary of Family Names of the United Kingdom. London: John Russel Smith, 1860. Print.
Burke, John and Burke, Sir Bernard, C.B. LL.D Burke's Peerage, Baronetage & Knightage . London: Harrison, 59, Pall Mall, 1865, Print.
Cleveland, Dutchess of The Battle Abbey Roll with some Account of the Norman Lineages. London: John Murray, Abermarle Street, 1889. Print. Volume 3 of 3
Guppy, Henry Brougham, Homes of Family Names in Great Britain. 1890. Print.
Lewis, Samuel, A Topographical Dictionary of England. Institute of Historical Research, 1848, Print.
Bardsley, C.W, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames: With Special American Instances. Wiltshire: Heraldry Today, 1901. Print. (ISBN 0-900455-44-6)
"What are the 5,000 Most Common Last Names in the U.S.?". NameCensus.com, https://namecensus.com/last-names/
"The first 1,000 family names by rank, Quebec (in French only)" Institut de la statistique du Quebec, https://statistique.quebec.ca/en/document/family-names-in-quebec/tableau/the-first-1000-family-names-by-rank-quebec
http://www.journaldesfemmes.com/nom-de-famille/nom/
Filby, P. William, Meyer, Mary K., Passenger and immigration lists index : a guide to published arrival records of about 500,000 passengers who came to the United States and Canada in the seventeenth, eighteenth, and nineteenth centuries. 1982-1985 Cumulated Supplements in Four Volumes Detroit, Mich. : Gale Research Co., 1985, Print (ISBN 0-8103-1795-8)
Internoscia, Arthur E., and Claire Chevrier. Dictionnaire National des Canadiens Français 1608-1760. Vol. 1, Institut Drouin, 1958.
Convict Records of Australia. Retrieved 8th February 2021 from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/circassian