Alabaster History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

• Origins Available:
• England

Alabaster is one of the many names that the Normans brought with them when they conquered England in 1066. Alabaster is a name for a arbalester, a person who either built or operated a 12th century variation of the medieval European crossbow named "arbalest." Derived from the Medieval French term, it actually dates back to Roman times when the crossbow was referred to as a "arcuballista."

Early Origins of the Alabaster family

The surname Alabaster was first found in Norfolk, where they held a family seat after 1066.

Early History of the Alabaster family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Alabaster research. Another 209 words (15 lines of text) covering the years 1086, 1140, 1198, 1198, 1273, 1273, 1278, 1296, 1565, 1624, 1700, 1567, 1640 and 1567 are included under the topic Early Alabaster History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Alabaster Spelling Variations

It is only in the last few hundred years that the English language has been standardized. For that reason, Anglo-Norman surnames like Alabaster are characterized by many spelling variations. Scribes and monks in the Middle Ages spelled names they sounded, so it is common to find several variations that refer to a single person. As the English language changed and incorporated elements of other European languages such as Norman French and Latin, even literate people regularly changed the spelling of their names. The variations of the name Alabaster include Arblaster, Arblast, Alablaster, Alabaster, Allblaster, Arbalistrius, Arbalistarius, Albalistarius, Arbelestre, Aleblaster, Allyblaster, Arbalister, Arbelaster and many more.

Early Notables of the Alabaster family (pre 1700)

Outstanding amongst the family at this time was Geoffrey Arbalister, a prominent 12th century landholder in Essex; and William Alabaster (also Alablaster, Arblastier) (1567-1640), an English poet...
Another 26 words (2 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Alabaster Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

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Alabaster migration to Australia +

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Contemporary Notables of the name Alabaster (post 1700) +

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