Show ContentsHosband History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Hosband is a name of ancient Norman origin. It arrived in England with the Norman Conquest of 1066. It is a name for a farmer. The name was originally derived from the Old English husband, which meant one who tills soil. The modern connotations of the word appeared much later. "A husband was the farmer of a husbandland of 26 acres." 1

Early Origins of the Hosband family

The surname Hosband was first found in Yorkshire where Ernald, Robert Husebond was listed in the Pipe Rolls of 1176 and later in Northumberland in 1231. Robert le Hosebonde was registered in the Hundredorum Rolls of 1273. 2

Walter le Husebond, Cambridgeshire was similarly registered in the Hundredorum Rolls. In Somerset, John Husebonde and William Husebond were both registered there 1 Edward III (during the first year of King Edward III's reign.) 3

Further to the north in Scotland, "Alexander Husband was prepositus of Invemairn in 1291, and in 1295 he was one of those who attested to the valuation of Kylrauoc and Estirgedeys. Andrew Husband was a weaver in Perth in 1506." 4

Early History of the Hosband family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Hosband research. Another 198 words (14 lines of text) covering the years 1206, 1562, 1679, 1689, 1695, 1728 and 1742 are included under the topic Early Hosband History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Hosband Spelling Variations

A multitude of spelling variations characterize Norman surnames. Many variations occurred because Old and Middle English lacked any definite spelling rules. The introduction of Norman French to England also had a pronounced effect, as did the court languages of Latin and French. Therefore, one person was often referred to by several different spellings in a single lifetime. The various spellings include Husband, Husbands, Husbants, Husborne and others.

Early Notables of the Hosband family

More information is included under the topic Early Hosband Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Hosband family

Many English families left England, to avoid the chaos of their homeland and migrated to the many British colonies abroad. Although the conditions on the ships were extremely cramped, and some travelers arrived diseased, starving, and destitute, once in the colonies, many of the families prospered and made valuable contributions to the cultures of what would become the United States and Canada. Research into the origins of individual families in North America has revealed records of the immigration of a number of people bearing the name Hosband or a variant listed above: Thomas and Mary Husband, who arrived in Virginia in 1635; Samuel Husbants, who settled in Barbados in 1675 with his wife and servants; Christopher Husband, who settled in Maryland in 1731.



  1. Smith, Eldson Coles, New Dictionary of American Family Names New York: Harper & Row, 1956. Print
  2. Reaney, P.H and R.M. Wilson, A Dictionary of English Surnames. London: Routledge, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-415-05737-X)
  3. Dickinson, F.H., Kirby's Quest for Somerset of 16th of Edward the 3rd London: Harrison and Sons, Printers in Ordinary to Her Majesty, St, Martin's Lane, 1889. Print.
  4. Black, George F., The Surnames of Scotland Their Origin, Meaning and History. New York: New York Public Library, 1946. Print. (ISBN 0-87104-172-3)


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