Bussche History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
France
Germany

The name Bussche comes from the Rhineland, an ancient region of Germany. In pre-medieval times, the Germans used only one name, but later they were forced by a growing population to adopt hereditary surnames, so as to remain distinct from others using the same personal (first) name. Local names derived from place names, were often chosen. They originally indicated land ownership, and frequently carried the prefix von, meaning "of" or "from", which is often taken as an indication of aristocratic lineage. Bussche was a name for some one lived near bushes or a thicket. The distinguished name Bussche is derived from the Old German word busc, which means thicket or brush.

Early Origins of the Bussche family

The surname Bussche was first found in the Rhineland, where the family became noted for its many branches within the region, many houses acquiring a status and influence which rivaled that of the landed aristocracy. In their later history some branches were elevated to the ranks of nobility as they distinguished themselves through their contributions to the social, political, and economic developments of the nation. The earliest individual bearer of this name to be mentioned in ancient chronicles was Cuentzlin in Busch of Wuerttenberg (1381).

The Bussche variant claims descent from Lord Everhardus de Busche in 1255. The Lords von dem Bussche were originally from the County of Ravensberg on the border area of Ravensberg and the Prince-Bishopric of Osnabrück.

Early History of the Bussche family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Bussche research. Another 241 words (17 lines of text) covering the years 1234, 1387, 1475, 1534, 1623, 1704, 1729, 1793, 1832, 1840, 1842, 1908 and 1913 are included under the topic Early Bussche History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Bussche Spelling Variations

Many cultural groups lived in the German states in medieval times. Each had its own dialect and traditions, and unique variations of popular names. Low German, which is similar to contemporary Dutch, was spoken in Westphalia. German names are characterized by additions such as regional suffixes and phrases that tell something about the origin or background of its original bearer. Further contributing to the variation in German names was the fact that there were no spelling rules in medieval times: scribes recorded names according to their sound. The recorded spelling variations of Bussche include Busch, Buesch, Buscher, Buescher (Westphalia), Bush, Buesh, Busher, Buesher, Busche, Bushe, Pusch, Bussche, Bussch and many more.

Early Notables of the Bussche family

Notables with the name Bussche during this period were

Clamor von dem Bussche, was a Lieutenant General in the Hanoverian army...

Migration of the Bussche family

Between the 17th and 20th centuries, hundreds of thousands of Europeans came to North America, and many Rhinelanders were among them. They had many various reasons for making the choice: to escape poverty and persecution, for adventure, and for the opportunity to own their own land. Ellis Island, one of the main American immigration centers, saw many settlers as they moved on to the states of Pennsylvania, Ohio, Texas, Illinois, California, and New York. In Canada, they found homes in Ontario, and on the great plains of the Midwestern provinces. The Bussche were among of the early German families that came to North America: Casper and Daniel Busch, both of whom arrived in America in 1709. Christian Bush also arrived in the New World in 1709. Erasmus Busch came to Philadelphia in 1771.

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