Show ContentsAilabaster History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

The name Ailabaster arrived in England after the Norman Conquest of 1066. It is a name for a arbalester, a person who either built or operated a 12th century variation of the medieval European crossbow named "arbalest." Derived from the Medieval French term, it actually dates back to Roman times when the crossbow was referred to as a "arcuballista."

Early Origins of the Ailabaster family

The surname Ailabaster was first found in Norfolk, where they held a family seat after 1066.

Early History of the Ailabaster family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Ailabaster research. Another 209 words (15 lines of text) covering the years 1086, 1140, 1198, 1273, 1278, 1296, 1565, 1567, 1624, 1640 and 1700 are included under the topic Early Ailabaster History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Ailabaster Spelling Variations

Endless spelling variations are a prevailing characteristic of Norman surnames. Old and Middle English lacked any definite spelling rules, and the introduction of Norman French added an unfamiliar ingredient to the English linguistic stew. French and Latin, the languages of the court, also influenced spellings. Finally, Medieval scribes generally spelled words according to how they sounded, so one person was often referred to by different spellings in different documents. The name has been spelled Arblaster, Arblast, Alablaster, Alabaster, Allblaster, Arbalistrius, Arbalistarius, Albalistarius, Arbelestre, Aleblaster, Allyblaster, Arbalister, Arbelaster and many more.

Early Notables of the Ailabaster family

Outstanding amongst the family at this time was Geoffrey Arbalister, a prominent 12th century landholder in Essex; and William Alabaster (also Alablaster, Arblastier) (1567-1640), an English poet...
Another 26 words (2 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Ailabaster Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Ailabaster family

To escape the political and religious persecution within England at the time, many English families left for the various British colonies abroad. The voyage was extremely difficult, though, and the cramped, dank ships caused many to arrive in the New World diseased and starving. But for those who made it, the trip was most often worth it. Many of the families who arrived went on to make valuable contributions to the emerging nations of Canada and the United States. An inquiry into the early roots of North American families reveals a number of immigrants bearing the name Ailabaster or a variant listed above: who migrated to North America before the 19th century and contributed to the development of a new society.



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