Thursun History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
England

The ancestors of the Thursun surname lived among the ancient Anglo-Saxon culture. The name comes from when they lived in the village of Thurston found in the county of Suffolk. The surname Thursun is a habitation name that was originally derived from pre-existing names for towns, villages, parishes, or farmsteads. The surname originated as a means of identifying individuals from a particular area. As a general rule, the greater the distance between an individual and their homeland, the larger the territory they were named after. For example, a person who only moved to another parish would be known by the name of their original village, while people who migrated to a different country were often known by the name of a region or country from which they came.

Early Origins of the Thursun family

The surname Thursun was first found in Suffolk at Thurston, a parish, in the union of Stow, hundred of Thedwastry. 1 The place name dates back to the Domesday Book of 1086 where it was first listed as Thurstuna. 2

Literally the place name means "farmstead of a man called Thori," from the Viking personal name + the Old English word "tun." 3

It is generally believed that the name originated in this parish. However, the name could have perhaps been derived "from the Teutonic name Turstin, which is found in the Domesday [Book] as the designation of persons both Norman and Saxon. One Turstanus is there described as 'machinator' - probably a military engineer." 4

One of the first on record was Turstin or Thurstan (d. 1140), Archbishop of York, "[he] was son of Anger or Auger, prebendary of St. Paul's, London, by his wife Popelina. His brother Audoen succeeded to his father's prebend, was bishop of Evreux, and died in 1139. Thurstan was a native of Bayeux, and a prebendary of St. Paul's. " 5

Early History of the Thursun family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Thursun research. Another 55 words (4 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Thursun History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Thursun Spelling Variations

Before English spelling was standardized a few hundred years ago, spelling variations of names were a common occurrence. Elements of Latin, French and other languages became incorporated into English through the Middle Ages, and name spellings changed even among the literate. The variations of the surname Thursun include Thurston, Turston, Thruston, Turstin and others.

Early Notables of the Thursun family

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

Migration of the Thursun family

A great wave of immigration to the New World was the result of the enormous political and religious disarray that struck England at that time. Families left for the New World in extremely large numbers. The long journey was the end of many immigrants and many more arrived sick and starving. Still, those who made it were rewarded with an opportunity far greater than they had known at home in England. These emigrant families went on to make significant contributions to these emerging colonies in which they settled. Some of the first North American settlers carried this name or one of its variants: John and Margaret Thurston, who settled in Boston Mass in 1637 with their two sons; Edward Thurston settled in Virginia in 1650; Daniel Thurston settled in New England in 1635..

The Thursun 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: Esse quam videri
Motto Translation: To be, rather than to seem.

Citations +

Lewis, Samuel, A Topographical Dictionary of England. Institute of Historical Research, 1848, Print.
Williams, Dr Ann. And G.H. Martin, Eds., Domesday Book A Complete Translation. London: Penguin, 1992. Print. (ISBN 0-141-00523-8)
Mills, A.D., Dictionary of English Place-Names. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-19-869156-4)
Lower, Mark Anthony, Patronymica Britannica, A Dictionary of Family Names of the United Kingdom. London: John Russel Smith, 1860. Print.
Smith, George (ed), Dictionary of National Biography. London: Smith, Elder & Co., 1885-1900. Print