Board History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms 

Origins Available: 
  England 


The name Board was formed many centuries ago by the ancient Anglo-Saxon tribes of Britain. It was a name typically given to a dweller at a cottage or small farm. 1 Alternatively, the name could have been derived from the French word "borde," 'a little house, lodging, or cottage of timber, standing alone in the fields. In Domesday [Book] the occupants of cottages are called bordarii, and amount to 82,119 in number." 2

Early Origins of the Board family

The surname Board was first found in Sussex, where one of the first records of the family was Andrew Borde or Boorde (1490?-1549), English "traveller and physician, ‘Andreas Parforutus’ as he jocosely calls himself, was born at ‘Boords Hill in Holms dayle,’ near Cuckfield, Sussex, some time before or about 1490, as by 1521 he was appointed suffragan bishop of Chichester, and must have therefore then been thirty years old." 3

Early History of the Board family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Board research. Another 52 words (4 lines of text) covering the years 1490 and 1549 are included under the topic Early Board History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Board 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 Board include Board, Borde, Bord, Boards and others.

Early Notables of the Board family

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

Board Ranking

In the United States, the name Board is the 7,227th most popular surname with an estimated 4,974 people with that name. 4


Board migration to the United States +

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:

Board Settlers in United States in the 17th Century
Board Settlers in United States in the 18th Century
Board Settlers in United States in the 19th Century

Board migration to Australia +

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

Board Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century

Board 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:

Board Settlers in New Zealand in the 19th Century

Contemporary Notables of the name Board (post 1700) +


The Board 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: Perforatus
Motto Translation: Pierce.
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