Show ContentsThurburn History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

The surname Thurburn is a Scottish name derived from the Old English personal name Thurbrand. 1

Early Origins of the Thurburn family

The surname Thurburn was first found in Aberdeen where Richardus Torbrand was listed as Provost of Aberdeen in 1330. The next record of the name appeared over 100 years later when Thomas Thurbrande was a notary public in the diocese of Glasgow in 1456 and the same document lists Thomas Thurbrandson who was also a notary public and may very well have been his son. John Thorburn was fined in 1478 for cutting green wood in the Forest of Selkirk. 1

Early History of the Thurburn family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Thurburn research. Another 318 words (23 lines of text) covering the years 1322, 1323, 1505, 1533, 1544, 1563, 1567, 1605, 1615, 1624, 1627, 1643, 1655, 1664, 1670, 1675, 1679, 1715, 1743, 1773, 1792, 1793, 1794, 1796, 1797, 1798, 1800, 1801, 1805, 1808, 1818, 1823, 1830, 1846, 1853, 1855, 1863, 1885 and 1897 are included under the topic Early Thurburn History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Thurburn Spelling Variations

The first dictionaries that appeared in the last few hundred years did much to standardize the English language. Before that time, spelling variations in names were a common occurrence. The language was changing, incorporating pieces of other languages, and the spelling of names changed with it. Thurburn has been spelled many different ways, including Thorburn, Thurburn, Thurbrand, Torburn and others.

Early Notables of the Thurburn family

Notable amongst the family at this time was

  • New York Publicist Grant Thurburn (1773-1863) who was born in Dalkeith, Midlothian...

Migration of the Thurburn family

Thousands of English families in this era began to emigrate the New World in search of land and freedom from religious and political persecution. Although the passage was expensive and the ships were dark, crowded, and unsafe, those who made the voyage safely were rewarded with opportunities unavailable to them in their homeland. Research into passenger and immigration lists has revealed some of the very first Thurburns to arrive in North America: William Thorburn arrived in Virginia in 1716.



  1. 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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