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

United States Canada Australia New Zealand West Indies

Contemporary Notables Historic Events Related Stories Suggested Reading Citations

Bush History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
Netherlands
England
Germany

The bountiful region surrounding the Rhine river is the birthplace of the name Bush. A single name was, at one time, all that people needed. However, increasing ease of travel and the burgeoning populations forced people to adopt a hereditary surname to set themselves apart from others. A common form of surname created in the Rhineland was the local name. Originally denoting the proprietorship of the village or estate, the German preposition von, which means from or of, was used with local names. The surname Bush was given to someone who lived near bushes or a thicket. The distinguished name Bush is derived from the Old German word busc, which means thicket or brush.

Early Origins of the Bush family

The surname Bush was first found in the Rhineland, where the family became noted for its many branches within the region, many houses acquiring a status and influence which rivaled that of the landed aristocracy. In their later history some branches were elevated to the ranks of nobility as they distinguished themselves through their contributions to the social, political, and economic developments of the nation. The earliest individual bearer of this name to be mentioned in ancient chronicles was Cuentzlin in Busch of Wuerttenberg (1381).

The Bussche variant claims descent from Lord Everhardus de Busche in 1255. The Lords von dem Bussche were originally from the County of Ravensberg on the border area of Ravensberg and the Prince-Bishopric of Osnabrück.

Early History of the Bush family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Bush research. Another 241 words (17 lines of text) covering the years 1234, 1387, 1475, 1534, 1623, 1704, 1729, 1793, 1832, 1840, 1842, 1908 and 1913 are included under the topic Early Bush History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Bush Spelling Variations

In the medieval era, many different cultural groups lived in the German states. There are thus many regional variations of German surnames from that era. Westphalians spoke Low German, which is similar to modern Dutch. Many German names carry suffixes that identify where they came from. Others have phrases attached that identify something about the original bearer. Other variations in German names resulted from the fact that medieval scribes worked without the aid of any spelling rules. The spelling variations of the name Bush include Busch, Buesch, Buscher, Buescher (Westphalia), Bush, Buesh, Busher, Buesher, Busche, Bushe, Pusch, Bussche, Bussch and many more.

Early Notables of the Bush family

Notables with the name Bush during this period were Isaac Posch (died 1623), who was an Austrian composer and organist. Clamor von dem Bussche, was a Lieutenant General in the Hanoverian army. He fought with distinction in the army of the Duke of York during the revolution, and died in battle in 1793. His son, Hans von dem Bussche, lost his right arm fighting at the...
Another 66 words (5 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Bush Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Bush World Ranking

In the United States, the name Bush is the 304^th most popular surname with an estimated 89,532 people with that name. 1 However, in Australia, the name Bush is ranked the 692^nd most popular surname with an estimated 5,663 people with that name. 2 And in New Zealand, the name Bush is the 732^nd popular surname with an estimated 983 people with that name. 3 The United Kingdom ranks Bush as 718^th with 9,335 people. 4

Bush migration to the United States +

The great European flow of migration to North America, which began in the middle of the 17th century and continued into the 20th century, was particularly attractive to those from the Rhineland who wished to escape either poverty or religious persecution. Many of those who left the Rhineland to seek their fortunes in the prosperous and free New World settled in the major urban centers of the United States and Canada. In the United States, the settlers from the Rhineland passed through immigration centers like that of Ellis Island, most of them moving on to Pennsylvania, Ohio, Texas, Illinois, California, and New York. In Canada, the majority of Rhinelanders settled in Ontario and the prairie provinces. An examination of passenger and immigration lists has revealed many important settlers to North America bearing the name Bush, or one of its variants above:

Bush Settlers in United States in the 17th Century

Susan Bush, who arrived in Virginia in 1617 5
Jo Bush, aged 17, who landed in Virginia in 1635 aboard the ship "Transport" 5
John Bush, who landed in Boston, Massachusetts in 1635 5
Tho Bush, who landed in Virginia in 1637 5
Thomas Bush, who landed in Virginia in 1638 5
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Bush Settlers in United States in the 18th Century

Win Bush, who arrived in North Carolina in 1701 5
Sarah Bush, who arrived in North Carolina in 1701 5
Wm, Bush Jr., who arrived in North Carolina in 1701 5
Wrn, Bush Jr., who landed in North Carolina in 1701 5
Elloner Bush, who arrived in North Carolina in 1701 5
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Bush Settlers in United States in the 19th Century

Charles Bush, who landed in Pennsylvania in 1802 5
David Bush, aged 27, who arrived in New York in 1812 5
Leonard Bush, who landed in Maryland in 1826 5
George Martin Bush, who arrived in New York in 1831 5
Jean Michel Bush, who landed in New York in 1838 5
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Bush Settlers in United States in the 20th Century

Henry Bush, who landed in Arkansas in 1903 5
Robert Baxter Bush, who arrived in Mobile, Ala in 1904 5
James Denniston Bush, who arrived in Alabama in 1920 5
Charles Christopher Bush, who arrived in Alabama in 1924 5

Bush migration to Canada +

Some of the first settlers of this family name were:

Bush Settlers in Canada in the 18th Century

John Bush, who landed in Nova Scotia in 1750
Corporal Charles Bush U.E. who settled in Canada c. 1783 6
Sgt. Henricus Bush U.E. who settled in Canada c. 1783 6
Mr. Henry Bush U.E. who settled in Lincoln County, Niagara, Ontario c. 1783 6
Mr. Henry Bush U.E. who settled in Canada c. 1783 6
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Bush Settlers in Canada in the 19th Century

John Bush, aged 50, a farmer, who arrived in Saint John, New Brunswick aboard the ship "Trial" in 1833
Isabella Bush, aged 50, who arrived in Saint John, New Brunswick aboard the ship "Trial" in 1833
Catherine Bush, aged 23, who arrived in Saint John, New Brunswick aboard the ship "Trial" in 1833
Biddy Bush, aged 20, who arrived in Saint John, New Brunswick aboard the ship "Trial" in 1833
Michael Bush, aged 16, who arrived in Saint John, New Brunswick aboard the ship "Trial" in 1833
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Bush migration to Australia +

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

Bush Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century

Mr. James Bush, English convict who was convicted in Gloucester, Gloucestershire, England for 14 years, transported aboard the "Canada" on 23rd April 1819, arriving in New South Wales, Australia 7
Joseph Bush, English convict from Middlesex, who was transported aboard the "Agamemnon" on April 22, 1820, settling in New South Wales, Australia 8
William Bush, English convict from London, who was transported aboard the "Albion" on May 17, 1823, settling in Van Diemen's Land, Australia 9
Caroline Bush, English convict from Surrey, who was transported aboard the "America" on December 30, 1830, settling in Van Diemen's Land, Australia 10
Mr. Jeremiah Bush, (b. 1796), aged 37, English farm labourer who was convicted in Norfolk, Norfolkshire, England for life for stealing, transported aboard the "Aurora" on 3rd November 1833, arriving in New South Wales, Australia, he died in 1881 11
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Bush migration to New Zealand +

Emigration to New Zealand followed in the footsteps of the European explorers, such as Captain Cook (1769-70): first came sealers, whalers, missionaries, and traders. By 1838, the British New Zealand Company had begun buying land from the Maori tribes, and selling it to settlers, and, after the Treaty of Waitangi in 1840, many British families set out on the arduous six month journey from Britain to Aotearoa to start a new life. Early immigrants include:

Bush Settlers in New Zealand in the 19th Century

G F Bush, who landed in Nelson, New Zealand in 1840
William Bush, who landed in Wellington, New Zealand in 1840
William Bush, aged 33, who arrived in Wellington, New Zealand aboard the ship "Tyne" in 1841
Jane Bush, aged 33, who arrived in Wellington, New Zealand aboard the ship "Tyne" in 1841
George F. Bush, who arrived in Nelson, New Zealand aboard the ship "Lloyds" in 1842
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Bush migration to West Indies +

The British first settled the British West Indies around 1604. They made many attempts but failed in some to establish settlements on the Islands including Saint Lucia and Grenada. By 1627 they had managed to establish settlements on St. Kitts (St. Christopher) and Barbados, but by 1641 the Spanish had moved in and destroyed some of these including those at Providence Island. The British continued to expand the settlements including setting the First Federation in the British West Indies by 1674; some of the islands include Barbados, Bermuda, Cayman Island, Turks and Caicos, Jamaica and Belize then known as British Honduras. By the 1960's many of the islands became independent after the West Indies Federation which existed from 1958 to 1962 failed due to internal political conflicts. After this a number of Eastern Caribbean islands formed a free association. 12

Bush Settlers in West Indies in the 17th Century

Mr. John Bush, (b. 1613), aged 22, British settler travelling from London, England aboard the ship "Alexander" arriving in Barbados in 1635 13
John Bush, who settled in Barbados in 1660

Contemporary Notables of the name Bush (post 1700) +

President George Walker Bush (b. 1946), American politician, 43rd President of the United States, son of President George H. W. Bush
President George Herbert Walker Bush (1924-2018), American politician, 41st President of the United States (1989-1993)
Jonathan James Bush (1931-2021), American banker from Greenwich, Connecticut
Johnny Bush (1935-2020), American country music singer, songwriter, and musician, nicknamed the "Country Caruso", best known for writing the song "Whiskey River"
Barbara Pierce Bush (1925-2018), American First Lady, wife of the 41st President of the United States
William Henry Trotter "Bucky" Bush CStJ (1938-2018), American businessman, youngest brother of former President George H. W. Bush
Walter Lewis Bush Jr. (1929-2016), American ice hockey administrator, inducted into the United States Hockey Hall of Fame in 1980 and into the Hockey Hall of Fame in 2000
Vannevar Bush (1890-1974), American engineer and science administrator known for his work on analog computing and primary organizer of the Manhattan Project
Hospital Apprentice First Class Robert Eugene Bush (1926-2005), American Navy Hospital Corpsman awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor for gallantry during the Battle of Okinawa
Master Gunnery Sergeant Richard Earl Bush (1924-2004), American Marine awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor in 1945
... (Another 6 notables are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Historic Events for the Bush family +

Halifax Explosion

Mr. W. H. Bush, British Seaman aboard the SS Picton from who died in the Halifax Explosion (1917) 14

HMS Prince of Wales

Mr. Robert Archibald Bush, British Marine, who sailed into battle on the HMS Prince of Wales (1941) and died in the sinking 15

USS Arizona

Mr. William J. Bush, American Ensign working aboard the ship "USS Arizona" when she sunk during the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor on 7th December 1941, he survived the sinking 16

Citations +

"What are the 5,000 Most Common Last Names in the U.S.?". NameCensus.com, https://namecensus.com/last-names/
"Most Common Last Names in Australia." Forebears, https://forebears.io/australia/surnames
"Most Common Last Names in New Zealand." Forebears, https://forebears.io/new-zealand/surnames
"UK surname ranking." UK Surname map, https://www.surnamemap.eu/unitedkingdom/surnames_ranking.php?p=10
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)
Rubincam, Milton. The Old United Empire Loyalists List. Genealogical Publishing Co., Inc, 1976. (Originally published as; United Empire Loyalists. The Centennial of the Settlement of Upper Canada. Rose Publishing Company, 1885.) ISBN 0-8063-0331-X
Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 9th December 2020). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/canada
State Library of Queensland. (Retrieved 2016, October 27) Agamemnon voyage to New South Wales, Australia in 1820 with 179 passengers. Retrieved from http://www.convictrecords.com.au/ships/agamemnon/1820
State Library of Queensland. (Retrieved 2016, October 27) Albion voyage to Van Diemen's Land, Australia in 1823 with 200 passengers. Retrieved from http://www.convictrecords.com.au/ships/albion/1823
State Library of Queensland. (Retrieved 2014, November 26) America voyage to Van Diemen's Land, Australia in 1830 with 135 passengers. Retrieved from http://www.convictrecords.com.au/ships/america/1830
Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 20th August 2020). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/aurora
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/British_West_Indies
Pilgrim Ship Lists Early 1600's retrieved 28th September 2021 from https://www.packrat-pro.com/ships/shiplist.htm
Halifax Explosion Book of Remembrance | Maritime Museum of the Atlantic. (Retrieved 2014, June 23) . Retrieved from https://maritimemuseum.novascotia.ca/what-see-do/halifax-explosion/halifax-explosion-book-remembrance
HMS Prince of Wales Crew members. (Retrieved 2014, April 9) . Retrieved from http://www.forcez-survivors.org.uk/biographies/listprincecrew.html
Pearl Harbour: USS Arizona Casualties List Pearl Harbour December 7, 1941. (Retrieved 2018, July 31st). Retrieved from http://pearl-harbor.com/arizona/casualtylist.html