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Show ContentsBister History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms
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Family Crest Download (JPG) Heritage Series - 600 DPI

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The earliest origins of the family name Bister date back to the Anglo-Saxon culture of Britain. It was a name given to a person who had facial features similar to a buzzard or bustard which was a large bird, "now as rare as the eagle in England." 1 The name is derived from the "Old French bistarde, bustarde." 2

Early Origins of the Bister family

The surname Bister was first found in the Pipe Rolls where Walter Buistard was listed in 1159 and the singular name Bustard was found in 1162. Later, Robert Boistard was recorded in the Feet of Fines for Yorkshire in 1231. Robert Bustarde was recorded in Whitby, North Yorkshire in 1343. 2

The Yorkshire Poll Tax Rolls of 1379 included entries for Robertus Bustardbank and Johannes Bustard. Both held landsa there at that time. 1

Early History of the Bister family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Bister research. Another 51 words (4 lines of text) covering the years 1600 and 1890 are included under the topic Early Bister History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Bister Spelling Variations

Before English spelling was standardized a few hundred years ago, spelling variations of names were a common occurrence. Elements of Latin, French and other languages became incorporated into English through the Middle Ages, and name spellings changed even among the literate. The variations of the surname Bister include Bustard, Busteed, Busterd and others.

Early Notables of the Bister family

More information is included under the topic Early Bister Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Ireland Migration of the Bister family to Ireland

Some of the Bister family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt.
Another 84 words (6 lines of text) about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Bister family

A great wave of immigration to the New World was the result of the enormous political and religious disarray that struck England at that time. Families left for the New World in extremely large numbers. The long journey was the end of many immigrants and many more arrived sick and starving. Still, those who made it were rewarded with an opportunity far greater than they had known at home in England. These emigrant families went on to make significant contributions to these emerging colonies in which they settled. Some of the first North American settlers carried this name or one of its variants: Andrew Bustered who settled in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in 1880; John Bustard who arrived in Philadelphia in 1874; and the following all arrived in Philadelphia - Adam, Andrew, James, John, Robert, between 1859 and 1880.
  1. Bardsley, C.W, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames: With Special American Instances. Wiltshire: Heraldry Today, 1901. Print. (ISBN 0-900455-44-6)
  2. Reaney, P.H and R.M. Wilson, A Dictionary of English Surnames. London: Routledge, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-415-05737-X)
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