Show ContentsBossert History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

The surname Bossert is derived from a Germanic personal name composed of the German elements "bos," which meant "audacious," and "hard," which meant "hardy" or "brave." Thus, the name no doubt originally referred to a person who was very tough or one who was inclined to fight. Some instances of the Bossert surname are derived from the personal name Burkhart, and the German word boese, which meant "naughty" and "tough."

Early Origins of the Bossert family

The surname Bossert was first found in Westphalia, where the name Bossart became noted for its many branches within the region, where each house acquired a status and influence which was envied by the princes of the region. In their later history the Bossart family became a power unto themselves and were elevated to the ranks of nobility.

Early History of the Bossert family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Bossert research. Another 73 words (5 lines of text) covering the years 1538, 1539 and 1746 are included under the topic Early Bossert History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Bossert Spelling Variations

One can encounter great variation in the spelling of surnames: in early times, spelling in general, and thus the spelling of names was not yet standardized; and later, spellings would change with branching and movement of families. Variations of the name Bossert include Bossart, Bosart, Bosarte, Bossarte, Bossard, Bossardt, Bosard, Bosardt, Bossarde, Bosarde and many more.

Early Notables of the Bossert family

Another 30 words (2 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Bossert Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Bossert Ranking

In France, the name Bossert is the 6,526th most popular surname with an estimated 1,000 - 1,500 people with that name. [1]


United States Bossert migration to the United States +

Many Germans emigrated across the Atlantic to seek better lives in North America. This great migration began in the middle of the 17th century and continued into the 20th century. Resettlement was particularly attractive to those from Westphalia as a means of escape from poverty and religious persecution. For many Westphalian farmers, the chance to own one's own land was also a major incentive. The process of the widespread colonization of the United States began in 1650, when many immigrants from Germany settled in pockets in Pennsylvania, Texas, New York, Illinois, and California. In Canada, German settlements centered around Ontario and the Prairie provinces. Among them:

Bossert Settlers in United States in the 18th Century
  • Jacob Bossert, who landed in Pennsylvania in 1729 [2]
  • Jakob Bossert, who arrived in America in 1729 [2]
  • Balteer Bossert, who landed in Pennsylvania in 1735 [2]
  • Michael Bossert, who arrived in America in 1751 [2]
  • Johannes Bossert, who landed in Pennsylvania in 1753 [2]
  • ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Contemporary Notables of the name Bossert (post 1700) +

  • Thomas P. "Tom" Bossert (b. 1975), American lawyer, United States Homeland Security Advisor (2017-)
  • W. Max Bossert (1906-1990), American football coach and politician, Republican member of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives
  • Louis Bossert, American lumber magnate who lived in Brooklyn, builder of Hotel Bossert once known as "the Waldorf-Astoria of Brooklyn"
  • Otto Richard Bossert (1874-1919), German portrait painter
  • André Robert Bossert (b. 1963), Swiss professional golfer


  1. http://www.journaldesfemmes.com/nom-de-famille/nom/
  2. 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)


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