Show ContentsAlburgh History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Etymology of Alburgh

What does the name Alburgh mean?

Today's generation of the Alburgh family bears a name that was brought to England by the migration wave that was started by the Norman Conquest of 1066. The Alburgh family lived in Suffolk where they were first established as Lords of the Manor of Aldborough.

Early Origins of the Alburgh family

The surname Alburgh was first found in Suffolk where they held a family seat as Lords of the Manor of Aldborough. At the taking of the Domesday Book survey in 1086, a census of England initiated by Duke William of Normandy after his conquest of England in 1066, Aldborough was held by Norman from his chief tenants, the Abbot of Ely and Robert Malet's mother. Conjecturally the family name is descended from this source. At this time, Aldborough consisted of a village with two churches.

John de Dalderby (d. 1320), Bishop of Lincoln, "took his name from, and perhaps was born in, a small village near Horncastle, Lincolnshire, now united with Scrivelsby. The first mention of him occurs as canon of St. David's. He became archdeacon of Carmarthen in 1283 (Wharton, Anglia Sacra). He was appointed chancellor of Lincoln Cathedral and head of the theological school there, which had obtained high reputation at this period. " 1

Early History of the Alburgh family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Alburgh research. Another 108 words (8 lines of text) covering the years 1371, 1500, 1584, 1617, 1630 and 1712 are included under the topic Early Alburgh History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Alburgh Spelling Variations

Before the last few hundred years the English language had no fixed system of spelling rules. For that reason, spelling variations occurred commonly in Anglo Norman surnames. Over the years, many variations of the name Alburgh were recorded, including Aldborough, Alderborough, Aldbrough, Aldbrow, Aldeborough, Aldburc, Aldburgh, Aldberg, Elderborough, Alborough, Albrough and many more.

Early Notables of the Alburgh family

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

Migration of the Alburgh family

The unstable environment in England at this time caused numerous families to board ships and leave in search of opportunity and freedom from persecution abroad in places like Ireland, Australia, and particularly the New World. The voyage was extremely difficult, however, and only taken at great expense. The cramped conditions and unsanitary nature of the vessels caused many to arrive diseased and starving, not to mention destitute from the enormous cost. Still opportunity in the emerging nations of Canada and the United States was far greater than at home and many went on to make important contributions to the cultures of their adopted countries. An examination of many early immigration records reveals that people bearing the name Alburgh arrived in North America very early: John Aldburgh who settled in Massachusetts in 1634.



  1. Smith, George (ed), Dictionary of National Biography. London: Smith, Elder & Co., 1885-1900. Print


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