Show ContentsBussell History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

The Anglo-Saxon name Bussell comes from the family having resided in Yorkshire, in the parish of Bossall. While the surname is largely considered local, there are other possible origins of this name. It may be of patronymic origin, based on the first name of the father and would have derived as "the son of Bussell." [1]

The name may also be of occupational origin and in this latter case it was originally derived from the Old English word busshel and would probably have been used to describe one who made bushel-baskets. [2]

Early Origins of the Bussell family

The surname Bussell was first found in the North Riding or Yorkshire as Bossall, a parish, partly in the wapentake of Birdforth, but chiefly in that of Bulmer. [3] The parish dates back to the Domesday Book of 1086 where it was first listed as Bosciale [4] and probably meant "nook of land of a man called Bot or Botsige," from the Old English personal name + "halh." [5]

The parish of Hutton-Buscel (also in the North Riding of Yorkshire) is of particular significance to the family. "This parish derives its name from having been anciently the 'High town of the Buscel or Bushel family.' " [3]

The Yorkshire Poll Tax Rolls include: Margareta Bosell; Johannes Bussell; Laurencius Bossell; and Johanna Bossell as all holding lands there at that time. [1]

Over in Leyland, Lancashire, another branch of the family was found in ancient times. "Warin Bussel, one of the barons under Roger de Poictou, in the reign of William I., held, among his ample demesnes, the parish of Leyland: at a very early period." [3]

Another early record was found in Birkdale, Lancashire. The manor of Birkdale was originally held by Wibert in 1066. Warin Bussel (presumably the same as the aforementioned) held a portion of Penwortham before 1100. However, there mention of Bussel handing the property down to his heirs as the manor was passed to the Halsall family. [6]

The Hundredorum Rolls of 1273 include: Geoffrey Buscel, Norfolk; Reginald Buscel, Norfolk; William Bushel, Huntingdonshire; and John Bussel, Cambridgeshire [1]

Newton Bushell, Devon was held by "the Bushells, its possessors in the latter half of the thirteenth century. Teignweek was given in 1246 to Theobald de Englishville, and by him to his foster-child and kinsman, Robert Bushell. The Bushells continued until Richard II., when their heiress brought it to the Yardes. " [7]

In Somerset, "Bushell is a name now scantily represented in the county. Two hundred years ago there was a Bath family of this name, members of which, on various occasions, filled the office of mayor (Warner's "Bath"). The name is still in that city." [8]

Early History of the Bussell family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Bussell research. Another 195 words (14 lines of text) covering the years 1086, 1140, 1200, 1594, 1609, 1621, 1643, 1651, 1667, 1670, 1674, 1684 and 1701 are included under the topic Early Bussell History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Bussell Spelling Variations

Bussell has been spelled many different ways. Before English spelling became standardized over the last few hundred years, spelling variations in names were a common occurrence. As the English language changed in the Middle Ages, absorbing pieces of Latin and French, as well as other languages, the spelling of people's names also changed considerably, even over a single lifetime. Spelling variants included: Bushell, Bussel, Bushle, Bushel, Bussell, Buchell, Buchel, Boushell, Boushel, Bousel and many more.

Early Notables of the Bussell family

Distinguished members of the family include Thomas Bushell (1594-1674), English speculator and farmer of the Royal mines, born about 1594, and was a younger son of a family of that name living at Cleve Prior in Worcestershire. "At the age of fifteen he entered the service of the great Sir Francis Bacon, and afterwards acted as his master's seal-bearer. When Bacon became lord chancellor, Bushell accompanied him to court, and attracted the notice of James I by the gorgeousness of his attire. On the occasion of Bacon's disgrace Bushell thought it prudent to retire to the Isle of Wight, where he...
Another 177 words (13 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Bussell Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Bussell Ranking

In the United States, the name Bussell is the 5,508th most popular surname with an estimated 4,974 people with that name. [9]


United States Bussell migration to the United States +

In an attempt to escape the chaos experienced in England, many English families boarded overcrowded and diseased ships sailing for the shores of North America and other British colonies. Those families hardy enough, and lucky enough, to make the passage intact were rewarded with land and a social environment less prone to religious and political persecution. Many of these families became important contributors to the young colonies in which they settled. Early immigration and passenger lists have documented some of the first Bussells to arrive on North American shores:

Bussell Settlers in United States in the 17th Century
  • Ralph Bussell, who arrived in Maryland in 1665 [10]
Bussell Settlers in United States in the 18th Century
  • John Bussell, who arrived in Virginia in 1705 [10]
Bussell Settlers in United States in the 20th Century
  • Emma J. Bussell, aged 25, who immigrated to the United States from Bradford, in 1906
  • Harry Bussell, aged 2, who immigrated to America from Bradford, in 1906
  • Minnie Bussell, aged 4, who immigrated to the United States from Bascender, England, in 1909
  • Annie Bussell, aged 7, who immigrated to the United States from Bascender, England, in 1909
  • Morgan Bussell, aged 47, who landed in America from Pontypridd, Wales, in 1913
  • ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Canada Bussell migration to Canada +

Some of the first settlers of this family name were:

Bussell Settlers in Canada in the 20th Century
  • Edward Bussell, aged 56, who immigrated to Toronto, Canada, in 1920

Australia Bussell migration to Australia +

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

Bussell Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century
  • Mr. John Bussell, English convict who was convicted in Devon, England for life, transported aboard the "Elphinstone" on 27th May 1837, arriving in Tasmania (Van Diemen's Land) [11]
  • John Bussell, aged 19, who arrived in South Australia in 1852 aboard the ship "Sultana" [12]

West Indies Bussell 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. [13]
Bussell Settlers in West Indies in the 17th Century
  • Jo Bussell, aged 36, settled in Barbados in 1635
  • Jo Bussell, aged 36, who landed in Barbados in 1635 [10]
  • Mr. John Bussell, (b. 1599), aged 36, British settler travelling from London, England aboard the ship "Alexander" arriving in Barbados in 1635 [14]

Contemporary Notables of the name Bussell (post 1700) +

  • Gerald Wheeler "Gerry" Bussell (b. 1943), former American football defensive back who played for the Denver Broncos in 1965
  • Harold L. Busséll, American pastor and author
  • Nick Bussell (b. 1983), American racing driver
  • Joel G. Bussell, American Democratic Party politician, Candidate in primary for Delegate to Michigan State Constitutional Convention from Wayne County 10th District, 1961 [15]
  • Mrs. Arthur Bussell, American Republican politician, Delegate to Republican National Convention from Minnesota, 1960 [15]
  • Dame Darcey Bussell CBE (b. 1969), born Marnie Mercedes Darcey Pemberton Crittle, the retired English ballerina
  • John Garrett Bussell (1803-1875), English-born, Australian settler, justice of the peace and politician, one of the four brothers who emigrated from England on the Warrior
  • William Samuel "Bill" Bussell (d. 1917), New Zealand rugby league player who played from 1912 to 1914, representing the new Zealand National Team in 1914
  • Grace Vernon Bussell (1860-1935), Western Australia woman who in 1876, as a 16-year-old, she was involved in the rescue of the SS Georgette, for which she was awarded the Royal Humane Society's Silver Medal
  • Alfred Pickmore Bussell (1816-1882), English-born, Australian settler and politician, one of the four brothers who emigrated from England on the Warrior, and rose to become Member of the Western Australian Legislative Council
  • ... (Another 1 notables are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)


The Bussell 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: Dum spiro spero
Motto Translation: While I have breath I hope.


  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. Lower, Mark Anthony, Patronymica Britannica, A Dictionary of Family Names of the United Kingdom. London: John Russel Smith, 1860. Print.
  3. Lewis, Samuel, A Topographical Dictionary of England. Institute of Historical Research, 1848, Print.
  4. Williams, Dr Ann. And G.H. Martin, Eds., Domesday Book A Complete Translation. London: Penguin, 1992. Print. (ISBN 0-141-00523-8)
  5. Mills, A.D., Dictionary of English Place-Names. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-19-869156-4)
  6. 'Townships: Scarisbrick', in A History of the County of Lancaster: Volume 3, ed. William Farrer and J Brownbill (London, 1907), pp. 265-276. British History Online http://www.british-history.ac.uk/vch/lancs/vol3/pp265-276 [accessed 21 January 2017].
  7. Worth, R.N., A History of Devonshire London: Elliot Stock, 62, Paternoster Row, E.G., 1895. Digital
  8. Guppy, Henry Brougham, Homes of Family Names in Great Britain. 1890. Print.
  9. "What are the 5,000 Most Common Last Names in the U.S.?". NameCensus.com, https://namecensus.com/last-names/
  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)
  11. Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 18th March 2022). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/elphinstone
  12. South Australian Register Tuesday 3 February 1852. (Retrieved 2010, November 5) SULTANA 1852. Retrieved http://www.theshipslist.com/ships/australia/sultana1852.shtml
  13. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/British_West_Indies
  14. Pilgrim Ship Lists Early 1600's retrieved 28th September 2021 from https://www.packrat-pro.com/ships/shiplist.htm
  15. The Political Graveyard: Alphabetical Name Index. (Retrieved 2016, January 12) . Retrieved from http://politicalgraveyard.com/alpha/index.html


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