Bourne History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms 

Origins Available: 
  England 
  France 
  Ireland 


The origins of the Bourne name lie with England's ancient Anglo-Saxon culture. It comes from when the family lived at or near a local stream or a spring. Bourn is a small village and civil parish in South Cambridgeshire. The population of the parish was 1,764 people at the time of the 2001 census.

Bourn Castle was located there and originally consisted of wooden buildings on an earthwork enclosure which was erected during the reign of William the Conqueror. This was burnt down during the reign of Henry III. In the early 16th century Bourn Hall was built on part of the site.

Early Origins of the Bourne family

The surname Bourne was first found in Lincolnshire at Bourne, a market town and civil parish in the South Kesteven district which dates back to the Domesday Book where it was listed as Brune. The place name was derived from the Old English word burna or perhaps the Old Scandinavian word brunnr.

The aforementioned Bourn in South Cambridgeshire also dates back to the Domesday Book where it was listed at that time as Brune. It has a similar origin. 1

Bourne Abbey is in Bourne, Lincolnshire dates back to before Domesday Book in 1086. At that time, it was listed as "half a church" and had a priest. In other words, it was a small church but standards of those days. Bourne Abbey and the surrounding area was held by Ogier the Breton and was a major fishery holding at the time 2,500 eels. 2

Early History of the Bourne family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Bourne research. Another 63 words (4 lines of text) covering the years 1524, 1531, 1560, 1569, 1583, 1590, 1611, 1648, 1679, 1689, 1690, 1696, 1714, 1719, 1733, 1754 and 1796 are included under the topic Early Bourne History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Bourne Spelling Variations

Before the last few hundred years, the English language had no fast system of spelling rules. For that reason, spelling variations are commonly found in early Anglo-Saxon surnames. Over the years, many variations of the name Bourne were recorded, including Bourne, Borne, Bourn and others.

Early Notables of the Bourne family

Notables of the family at this time include

Bourne World Ranking

In the United States, the name Bourne is the 3,132nd most popular surname with an estimated 9,948 people with that name. 3 However, in France, the name Bourne is ranked the 6,762nd most popular surname with an estimated 1,000 - 1,500 people with that name. 4 And in Australia, the name Bourne is the 900th popular surname with an estimated 4,365 people with that name. 5 The United Kingdom ranks Bourne as 668th with 9,869 people. 6

Migration of the Bourne family to Ireland

Some of the Bourne family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt.
Another 43 words (3 lines of text) about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.


Bourne migration to the United States +

To escape oppression and starvation at that time, many English families left for the "open frontiers" of the New World with all its perceived opportunities. In droves people migrated to the many British colonies, those in North America in particular, paying high rates for passages in cramped, unsafe ships. Although many of the settlers did not make the long passage alive, those who did see the shores of North America perceived great opportunities before them. Many of the families that came from England went on to make essential contributions to the emerging nations of Canada and the United States. Research into various historical records revealed some of first members of the Bourne family emigrate to North America:

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

Bourne migration to Canada +

Some of the first settlers of this family name were:

Bourne Settlers in Canada in the 18th Century

Bourne migration to Australia +

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

Bourne Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century

Bourne 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:

Bourne Settlers in New Zealand in the 19th Century

Contemporary Notables of the name Bourne (post 1700) +


The Bourne 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: Haec omnia transeunt
Motto Translation: All these things pass away.


Suggested Readings for the name Bourne +
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