First found in Devon where it is related the family took their name from Waseborne in that county soon after the Norman Conquest in 1066. This village was granted to Hermer from Gotshelm. By the end of the 11th century they had branched to Worcestershire where they became a family great consequence. They were generations of Knights at the Manor at the Washbournes intermarried with the distinguished families of Zouch, Corbett, Wysham, Blount and the Earls of Warwick. Sir Roger Washbourne is the first on record.

 More

More about the Washburn History...

Please remember that this page is only a small extract of our complete history that includes:

• Ancient origin of the name (usually pre-1100)
• Known spelling variations
• Early movement of the family name during the Middle Ages
• Noteworthy bearers from the 1500-1600s
• First settlers to North America
• Notable contemporary bearers of the name
• A description and/or full color picture of the Coat of Arms, Crest, and Motto (where available)

Many English families emigrated to North American colonies in order to escape the political chaos in Britain at this time. Unfortunately, many English families made the trip to the New World under extremely harsh conditions. Overcrowding on the ships caused the majority of the immigrants to arrive diseased, famished, and destitute from the long journey across the stormy Atlantic. Despite these hardships, many of the families prospered and went on to make invaluable contributions to the development of the cultures of the United States and Canada. Early North American immigration records have revealed a number of people bearing the name Washburn or a variant listed above: Margerie Washborn settled in Boston Massachusettsin 1635 with her two sons, Joe, and Phillip; John Washborne settled in Virginia in 1619; one year before the "Mayflower".

For more information on the last name Washburn, the PDF Surname History is available for purchase as well as other products.