Bosshard History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
Germany

The surname Bosshard is derived from a Germanic personal name composed of the German elements "bos," which meant "audacious," and "hard," which meant "hardy" or "brave." Thus, the name no doubt originally referred to a person who was very tough or one who was inclined to fight. Some instances of the Bosshard surname are derived from the personal name Burkhart, and the German word boese, which meant "naughty" and "tough."

Early Origins of the Bosshard family

The surname Bosshard was first found in Westphalia, where the name Bossart became noted for its many branches within the region, where each house acquired a status and influence which was envied by the princes of the region. In their later history the Bossart family became a power unto themselves and were elevated to the ranks of nobility.

Early History of the Bosshard family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Bosshard research. Another 73 words (5 lines of text) covering the years 1538, 1539 and 1746 are included under the topic Early Bosshard History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Bosshard Spelling Variations

One can encounter great variation in the spelling of surnames: in early times, spelling in general, and thus the spelling of names was not yet standardized; and later, spellings would change with branching and movement of families. Variations of the name Bosshard include Bossart, Bosart, Bosarte, Bossarte, Bossard, Bossardt, Bosard, Bosardt, Bossarde, Bosarde and many more.

Early Notables of the Bosshard family

Another 30 words (2 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Bosshard Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Bosshard migration to the United States +

Many Germans emigrated across the Atlantic to seek better lives in North America. This great migration began in the middle of the 17th century and continued into the 20th century. Resettlement was particularly attractive to those from Westphalia as a means of escape from poverty and religious persecution. For many Westphalian farmers, the chance to own one's own land was also a major incentive. The process of the widespread colonization of the United States began in 1650, when many immigrants from Germany settled in pockets in Pennsylvania, Texas, New York, Illinois, and California. In Canada, German settlements centered around Ontario and the Prairie provinces. Among them:

Bosshard Settlers in United States in the 18th Century

Adam Bosshard, who landed in Pennsylvania in 1740 1

Bosshard Settlers in United States in the 19th Century

Elizabeth Bosshard, aged 16, who landed in New York in 1868 1
Hans H Bosshard, aged 14, who landed in New York in 1868 1
Henry Bosshard, aged 20, who arrived in New York in 1868 1
Maria Bosshard, aged 9, who landed in New York in 1868 1
Rudolf Bosshard, aged 12, who arrived in New York in 1868 1
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Contemporary Notables of the name Bosshard (post 1700) +

Otto Bosshard, American Republican politician, Member of Wisconsin State Senate, 1911-16 2
John Bosshard, American Republican politician, Delegate to Republican National Convention from Wisconsin, 1964 2
Walter Bosshard (1892-1975), Swiss photographer and reporter
Rudolf Bosshard (1890-1924), Swiss bronze medalist rower at the 1924 Summer Olympics

Citations +

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)
The Political Graveyard: Alphabetical Name Index. (Retrieved 2016, January 7) . Retrieved from http://politicalgraveyard.com/alpha/index.html