Show ContentsBussche History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

The French name Bussche has a history dating as far back as the Middle Ages. This history is intrinsically entwined with that region known as Normandy, for it was derived from when the Bussche family lived in Normandy, at Bussy-Le-Grand.

Early Origins of the Bussche family

The surname Bussche was first found in Normandy (French: Normandie), the former Duchy of Normandy, where the family held a family seat from ancient times.

Early History of the Bussche family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Bussche research. Another 255 words (18 lines of text) covering the years 1166, 1174, 1180, 1228, 1370, 1549, 1579, 1618, 1670, 1693, 1794 and 1882 are included under the topic Early Bussche History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Bussche Spelling Variations

French surnames were subject to numerous spelling alterations depending on the region and time it was used. The early development of the French language relied heavily on borrowing elements and grammar from other languages. For example, Old French was infused with Germanic words and sounds when barbarian tribes invaded and settled in France after the fall of the Roman Empire. Middle French also borrowed heavily from the Italian language during the Renaissance. As a result of these linguistic and cultural influences, the name Bussche is distinguished by a number of regional variations. The many spelling variations of the name include Bussy, Bussie, Bussies, le Bussy, de Bussy, Bussi, Boussy, Boussie, Boussies, Boussi, de Boussi, Bousset, Boussey, de Boussey, Boucey, de Boucey, Bousser, Bussey, Busser, Bucy, Bushee and many more.

Early Notables of the Bussche family

Another 40 words (3 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Bussche Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Bussche family

In the 1700s, land incentives were finally given out by France to 2,000 migrants. Early marriage was encouraged in New France, and youths of 18 took fourteen-year-old girls for their wives. The fur trade was developed and attracted migrants, both noble and commoner from France. 15,000 explorers left Montreal in the late 17th and 18th centuries, leaving French names scattered across the continent. The search for the Northwest passage continued. Migration from France to New France or Quebec, as it was now more popularly called, continued until 1759. By 1675, there were 7000 French in Quebec. By the same year the Acadian presence in Nova Scotia, New Brunswick and Prince Edward Island had reached 500. In the treaty of Utrecht, Acadia were ceded by France to Britain in 1713. In 1755, 10,000 French Acadians refused to take an oath of allegiance to England and were deported. They found refuge in Louisiana. Meanwhile, in Quebec, the French race flourished, founding in Lower Canada, one of the two great solitudes which became Canada. Many of this distinguished family name Bussche were prominent in social, cultural, religious and political affairs in France and New France. Amongst the settlers in North America with this distinguished name Bussche were John Bussie, who arrived in Barbados in 1678; Matthias Bousser Jr. who arrived in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in 1733; Christian Bousser, who arrived in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in 1733.


Contemporary Notables of the name Bussche (post 1700) +

  • Georg Wilhelm Baron von dem Bussche (1726-1794), Prussian general officer of Hanoverian soldiers during the War of the First Coalition who famously led one of the Coalition columns at the Battle of Tourcoing.; he also led a battalion at Gibraltar in the American Revolutionary War
  • Axel Ernst-August Clamor Franz Albrecht Erich Leo Freiherr von dem Bussche -Streithorst (1919-1993), German officer during World War II who was a member of the German Resistance, he planned to assassinate Adolf Hitler in coordination with Claus von Stauffenberg in November 1943 at the Wolfsschanze
  • Baroness Gösta von dem Bussche -Haddenhausen (1902-1996), German mother of Prince Claus of the Netherlands, who was the Prince Consort of Queen Beatrix of the Netherlands


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