Contents [hide]

Osborn History Early Origins Early History Spelling Variations Early Notables Ranking

Ireland United States Canada Australia New Zealand West Indies

Contemporary Notables Related Stories Motto Suggested Reading Citations

Osborn History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
England
Scotland
Ireland

The Osborn surname itself is thought to be derived from an Old Norse personal name "Asbjorn" made up of "às," meaning "god" and "bjorn," or "bear." The name became Osbern in old English. Bearers of this name also came to Britain from Normandy, and over the centuries have become indistinguishable from those who predated the Norman invasion. "The name is found in England before the Conquest and may be of direct Scandinavian origin. It was also common in Normandy whence it was often brought over by Normans after the Conquest." [1]

Osbern (fl. 1090), was an English "hagiographer, was a monk of Christchurch, Canterbury, where, as he tells us himself, he was brought up from boyhood during the rule of Godric, who was dean from about 1058 to 1080; he would seem to have been there before the burning of the cathedral in 1067." [2]

Osbern or Osbert (d. 1103), was "Bishop of Exeter and Chancellor, the son of Osbern the Seneschal, who was guardian of Normandy for the future Conqueror. He was thus brother of William Fitzosbern, the Earl of Hereford, and a kinsman of Edward the Confessor. He came to England during the reign of Edward, and was one of the king's chaplains, and held land at Stratton, Cornwall, at the time of Edward's death (Domesday, iv. 216). As a royal chaplain he was present at the dedication of Westminster Abbey on 28 Dec. 1065, and after the conquest witnessed a charter to St. Martin's, London, in 1068, as 'Osbernus Capellanus' " [2]

Early Origins of the Osborn family

The surname Osborn was first found in Kent where "this family descends from a Kentish branch of the family of Fitz-Osberne, seated in that county early in the reign of Henry VI., when Thomas Osberne appeared to a writ of Quo warranto for the Abbey of Dartford." [3] His grandfather was Richard Fitz-Osberne, or Fitz-Osbert who held a fief from Earl Bigot in 1165. Richard's father was Stephen Fitz-Osbert fl. 1152 was son of William Fitz-Osbert, son of Osberne Fitz-Letard who held lands from Odo of Bayeaux in 1086. [3]

Many bearers of the name were descended from Sarum in Normandy. Confirming this ancient origin another source states the "name occurred in England before the Norman Conquest. It is confined south of a line joining the Humber and the Mersey, and its principal area of distribution takes the form of a belt crossing central England from East Anglia to the borders of Wales. [4]

"Several persons bearing it occur in Domesday [Book], as tenants in chief in different counties;" [5] specifically the Osbern variant. [1]

The Hundredorum Rolls of 1273 list: Gerard filius Oseberne in Huntingdonshire; and Robert Oseberne in Oxfordshire. [6] Osbernus filius Willelmi was recorded in the Curia Regis Rolls for the year 1221 in Buckinghamshire and Henry Osbern, in the Assize Rolls of Cambridgeshire in 1260. John Osebarn was listed in the Subsidy Rolls of Sussex in 1296 and Walter Hosebarn was found in the Feet of Fines of Cambridgeshire in 1327. [1]

Early History of the Osborn family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Osborn research. Another 74 words (5 lines of text) covering the years 1261, 1280, 1379, 1467, 1559, 1593, 1627, 1632, 1639, 1643, 1649, 1659, 1667, 1671, 1685, 1692, 1694, 1695, 1712, 1720, 1771 and 1890 are included under the topic Early Osborn History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Osborn Spelling Variations

Spelling variations of this family name include: Osborne, Osborn, Osbourne, Osbourn, Osburn, Osburne, Osbern and many more.

Early Notables of the Osborn family

Distinguished members of the family include

Francis Osborne (1593-1659), an English essayist
Dorothy Osborne, Lady Temple (1627-1695), a British writer of letters and wife of Sir William Temple, 1st Baronet
Sarah Osborne (Osbourne, Osburne, or Osborn) (c. 1643-1692) (nee Warren), one of the first three women to be accused of witchcraft in the Salem witch trials of 1692, she died in jail never indicted or...
Admiral Henry Osborn (1694-1771), a British naval officer, Commodore Governor of Newfoundland

Osborn Ranking

In the United States, the name Osborn is the 834^th most popular surname with an estimated 34,818 people with that name. [7]

Migration of the Osborn family to Ireland

Some of the Osborn family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt.
Another 127 words (9 lines of text) about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Osborn migration to the United States +

Some of the first settlers of this family name were:

Osborn Settlers in United States in the 17th Century

Jenkin Osborn, who landed in Virginia in 1617 [8]
Thomas Osborn, who arrived in Virginia in 1623 aboard the ship "Francis Bonaventure" [8]
Richard Osborn, who arrived in Boston aboard the ship "Hector" in 1637 [9]
John Osborn, who arrived in Connecticut in 1638 [8]
William Osborn, who landed in Salem, Massachusetts in 1639 [8]
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Osborn Settlers in United States in the 18th Century

Inemry Osborn, who arrived in Pennsylvania in 1702 [8]

Osborn Settlers in United States in the 19th Century

James Osborn, aged 32, who landed in New York in 1812 [8]
Alfred M Osborn, aged 23, who arrived in Tennessee in 1812 [8]
Smith Osborn, aged 20, who landed in America in 1822 [8]
Samuel R Osborn, aged 41, who arrived in New York in 1828 [8]
Francis Osborn, who arrived in New York in 1845 [8]
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Osborn migration to Canada +

Some of the first settlers of this family name were:

Osborn Settlers in Canada in the 18th Century

Mr. Charles Osborn U.E. who settled in Carleton, [Saint John West] New Brunswick c. 1784 [10]
Mr. James Osborn U.E. who settled in Canada c. 1784 [10]

Osborn Settlers in Canada in the 19th Century

Jane Osborn, aged 29, who arrived in Saint John, New Brunswick aboard the ship "Protector" in 1834
Martha Osborn, aged 13, who arrived in Saint John, New Brunswick aboard the ship "Protector" in 1834
James Osborn, aged 12, who arrived in Saint John, New Brunswick aboard the ship "Protector" in 1834
William Osborn, aged 21, a carpenter, who arrived in Saint John, New Brunswick aboard the ship "Protector" in 1834
Mary Osborn, aged 9, who arrived in Saint John, New Brunswick aboard the ship "Protector" in 1834
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Osborn migration to Australia +

Emigration to Australia followed the First Fleets of convicts, tradespeople and early settlers. Early immigrants include:

Osborn Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century

Mr. John Nathaniel Osborn, (Hills), British Convict who was convicted in Hertford, Hertfordshire, England for life for stealing, transported aboard the "Coromandel" on 4th December 1803, arriving in New South Wales, Australia [11]
Thomas Osborn, English convict from Devon, who was transported aboard the "Albion" on May 17, 1823, settling in Van Diemen's Land, Australia [12]
Mr. Charles Osborn, English convict who was convicted in Surrey, England for 7 years, transported aboard the "Clyde" on 20th August 1830, arriving in Tasmania (Van Diemen's Land) [13]
Mr. James Osborn, English convict who was convicted in Middlesex, England for life, transported aboard the "Clyde" on 20th August 1830, arriving in Tasmania (Van Diemen's Land) [13]
William Osborn, English convict from Warwick, who was transported aboard the "Andromeda" on November 13, 1832, settling in New South Wales, Australia [14]
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Osborn migration to New Zealand +

Emigration to New Zealand followed in the footsteps of the European explorers, such as Captain Cook (1769-70): first came sealers, whalers, missionaries, and traders. By 1838, the British New Zealand Company had begun buying land from the Maori tribes, and selling it to settlers, and, after the Treaty of Waitangi in 1840, many British families set out on the arduous six month journey from Britain to Aotearoa to start a new life. Early immigrants include:

Osborn Settlers in New Zealand in the 19th Century

Miss Mary Ann Osborn, (b. 1835), aged 24, British settler travelling from London aboard the ship "Mary Anne" arriving in Lyttelton, Christchurch, South Island, New Zealand on 4th August 1859 [15]
Mr. David Osborn, (b. 1839), aged 21, British farm labourer travelling from London aboard the ship "Gananoque" arriving in Lyttelton, Christchurch, South Island, New Zealand on 9th May 1860 [15]
Mrs. Mary Osborn, (b. 1822), aged 37, British settler travelling from Gravesend aboard the ship "Roman Emperor" arriving in Lyttlelton, Christchurch, South Island, New Zealand on 26th January 1860 [16]
Miss Ann Osborn, (b. 1839), aged 20, British settler travelling from Gravesend aboard the ship "Roman Emperor" arriving in Lyttlelton, Christchurch, South Island, New Zealand on 26th January 1860 [16]
Miss Mary Osborn, (b. 1841), aged 18, British settler travelling from Gravesend aboard the ship "Roman Emperor" arriving in Lyttlelton, Christchurch, South Island, New Zealand on 26th January 1860 [16]
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Osborn migration to West Indies +

The British first settled the British West Indies around 1604. They made many attempts but failed in some to establish settlements on the Islands including Saint Lucia and Grenada. By 1627 they had managed to establish settlements on St. Kitts (St. Christopher) and Barbados, but by 1641 the Spanish had moved in and destroyed some of these including those at Providence Island. The British continued to expand the settlements including setting the First Federation in the British West Indies by 1674; some of the islands include Barbados, Bermuda, Cayman Island, Turks and Caicos, Jamaica and Belize then known as British Honduras. By the 1960's many of the islands became independent after the West Indies Federation which existed from 1958 to 1962 failed due to internal political conflicts. After this a number of Eastern Caribbean islands formed a free association. [17]

Osborn Settlers in West Indies in the 17th Century

Mr. Richard Osborn, (b. 1612), aged 22, British settler travelling from Gravesend, UK aboard the ship "Hopewell" arriving in Barbados on 17th February 1634 [8]

Contemporary Notables of the name Osborn (post 1700) +

John Jay Osborn Jr. (1945-2022), American author, lawyer and legal academic. He was best known for his bestselling novel, The Paper Chase (1971) which became an Academy Award winning movie
Derrill Radcliff Osborn (1942-2019), American fashion executive
William M. Osborn, American politician, Mayor of Youngstown, Ohio, 1874-76 [18]
William J. Osborn, American politician, Mayor of Calexico, California, 1952-56 [18]
William J. Osborn, American Democratic Party politician, Postmaster at Wyandotte, Kansas, 1855-57 [18]
William H. Osborn, American politician, Member of Michigan State House of Representatives from Lenawee County 2nd District, 1865-68 [18]
William D. Osborn, American politician, Representative from New York 26th District, 1874, 1878 [18]
William Church Osborn (b. 1862), American Democratic Party politician, Delegate to New York State Constitutional Convention 15th District, 1894; New York Democratic State Chair, 1914-16 [18]
William B. Osborn, American Democratic Party politician, Postmaster at Los Angeles, California, 1853-55 [18]
William Osborn, American Republican politician, Delegate to Republican National Convention from Texas, 1988 [18]
... (Another 88 notables are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

The Osborn Motto +

The motto was originally a war cry or slogan. Mottoes first began to be shown with arms in the 14th and 15th centuries, but were not in general use until the 17th century. Thus the oldest coats of arms generally do not include a motto. Mottoes seldom form part of the grant of arms: Under most heraldic authorities, a motto is an optional component of the coat of arms, and can be added to or changed at will; many families have chosen not to display a motto.

Motto: Pax in bello
Motto Translation: Peace in war.

Citations +

Reaney, P.H and R.M. Wilson, A Dictionary of English Surnames. London: Routledge, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-415-05737-X)
Smith, George (ed), Dictionary of National Biography. London: Smith, Elder & Co., 1885-1900. Print
The Norman People and Their Existing Descendants in the British Dominions and the United States Of America. Baltimore: Genealogical Publishing, 1975. Print. (ISBN 0-8063-0636-X)
Guppy, Henry Brougham, Homes of Family Names in Great Britain. 1890. Print.
Lower, Mark Anthony, Patronymica Britannica, A Dictionary of Family Names of the United Kingdom. London: John Russel Smith, 1860. Print.
Bardsley, C.W, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames: With Special American Instances. Wiltshire: Heraldry Today, 1901. Print. (ISBN 0-900455-44-6)
"What are the 5,000 Most Common Last Names in the U.S.?". NameCensus.com, https://namecensus.com/last-names/
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)
Pilgrim Ship's of 1600's Retrieved January 6th 2023, retrieved from https://www.packrat-pro.com/ships/shiplist.htm
Rubincam, Milton. The Old United Empire Loyalists List. Genealogical Publishing Co., Inc, 1976. (Originally published as; United Empire Loyalists. The Centennial of the Settlement of Upper Canada. Rose Publishing Company, 1885.) ISBN 0-8063-0331-X
Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 22nd March 2021). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/coromandel-and-experiment
State Library of Queensland. (Retrieved 2016, October 27) Albion voyage to Van Diemen's Land, Australia in 1823 with 200 passengers. Retrieved from http://www.convictrecords.com.au/ships/albion/1823
Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 19th February 2021). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/clyde
State Library of Queensland. (Retrieved 2014, November 27) Andromeda voyage to New South Wales, Australia in 1832 with 186 passengers. Retrieved from http://www.convictrecords.com.au/ships/andromeda/1832
New Zealand Yesteryears Passenger Lists 1800 to 1900 (Retrieved 17th October 2018). Retrieved from http://www.yesteryears.co.nz/shipping/passlist.html
New Zealand Yesteryears Passenger Lists 1800 to 1900 (Retrieved 26th March 2019). Retrieved from http://www.yesteryears.co.nz/shipping/passlist.html
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/British_West_Indies
The Political Graveyard: Alphabetical Name Index. (Retrieved 2016, August 4) . Retrieved from http://politicalgraveyard.com/alpha/index.html