Show ContentsWhitburn Surname History

Early Origins of the Whitburn family

The surname Whitburn was first found in Herefordshire where they held a family seat as Lords of the Manor. The Saxon influence of English history diminished after the Battle of Hastings in 1066. The language of the courts was French for the next three centuries and the Norman ambience prevailed. But Saxon surnames survived and the family name was first referenced in the year 1327 when Thomas de Whitbourn held lands.

Early History of the Whitburn family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Whitburn research. Another 76 words (5 lines of text) covering the years 1455, 1487, 1579, 1583, 1585 and 1626 are included under the topic Early Whitburn History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Whitburn Spelling Variations

Spelling variations of this family name include: Whitborn, Whitbourn, Whitbourne, Witborn, Witbourn, Witbourne, Whiteborn, Whitebourn, Whitebourne, Whytebourn, Wytbourn, Whitbarn and many more.

Early Notables of the Whitburn family

Distinguished members of the family include Sir Richard Whitbourne (fl. 1579-1626), English writer on Newfoundland, born at Exmouth in Devonshire. He was " 'a traveler and adventurer into foreign countries' at fifteen years of age. His journeys extended to 'France, Spaine, Italy, Sauoy, Denmarke, Norway, Spruceland, the Canaries, and Soris Hands.' He made his first voyage to Newfoundland about 1579 in a vessel of 300 tons, freighted by Edward...
Another 69 words (5 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Whitburn Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.


Australia Whitburn migration to Australia +

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

Whitburn Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century
  • Caroline Whitburn, who arrived in Adelaide, Australia aboard the ship "Rajah" in 1849 1
  • Mary Whitburn, who arrived in Adelaide, Australia aboard the ship "Rajah" in 1849 1
  • Caroline Whitburn, who arrived in South Australia in 1849 aboard the ship "Rajah" 1
  • Mary Whitburn, who arrived in South Australia in 1849 aboard the ship "Rajah" 1
  • John Whitburn, aged 25, a miner, who arrived in South Australia in 1855 aboard the ship "Lady Macdonald" 2
  • ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

New Zealand Whitburn 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:

Whitburn Settlers in New Zealand in the 19th Century
  • John Whitburn, who arrived in Auckland, New Zealand aboard the ship "Woodlark" in 1873
  • Ellen Whitburn, who arrived in Auckland, New Zealand aboard the ship "Woodlark" in 1873
  • Mr. Daniel Whitburn, (b. 1856), aged 22, Cornish gardener departing on 28th September 1878 aboard the ship "Adamant" going to Hawkes Bay, New Zealand arriving in port on 11th January 1879 3

HMS Prince of Wales
  • Mr. Lesie V Whitburn, British Steward, who sailed into battle on the HMS Prince of Wales (1941) and survived the sinking 4


  1. State Records of South Australia. (Retrieved 2010, November 5) RAJAH 1849. Retrieved from http://www.slsa.sa.gov.au/BSA/1849Rajah.htm
  2. South Australian Register Monday 9th April 1855. (Retrieved 2010, November 5) Lady Macdonald 1855. Retrieved http://www.theshipslist.com/ships/australia/ladymacdonald1855.shtml
  3. Cornwall Online Parish Clerks. (Retrieved 2018, April 30). Emigrants to other ports, 1872 - 84 [PDF]. Retrieved from http://www.opc-cornwall.org/Resc/pdfs/new_zealand_assisted.pdf
  4. HMS Prince of Wales Crew members. (Retrieved 2014, April 9) . Retrieved from http://www.forcez-survivors.org.uk/biographies/listprincecrew.html


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