Thurston History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms 

Origins Available: 
  England 


The name Thurston belongs to the early history of Britain, it's origins lie with the Anglo-Saxons. It is a product of their having lived in the village of Thurston found in the county of Suffolk. The surname Thurston 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 Thurston family

The surname Thurston 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 Thurston family

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

Thurston Spelling Variations

Until the dictionary, an invention of only the last few hundred years, the English language lacked any comprehensive system of spelling rules. Consequently, spelling variations in names are frequently found in early Anglo-Saxon and later Anglo-Norman documents. One person's name was often spelled several different ways over a lifetime. The recorded variations of Thurston include Thurston, Turston, Thruston, Turstin and others.

Early Notables of the Thurston family

Notables of this surname at this time include:

Thurston Ranking

In the United States, the name Thurston is the 2,189th most popular surname with an estimated 14,922 people with that name. 6


Thurston migration to the United States +

Thousands of English families boarded ships sailing to the New World in the hope of escaping the unrest found in England at this time. Although the search for opportunity and freedom from persecution abroad took the lives of many because of the cramped conditions and unsanitary nature of the vessels, the opportunity perceived in the growing colonies of North America beckoned. Many of the settlers who survived the journey went on to make important contributions to the transplanted cultures of their adopted countries. The Thurston were among these contributors, for they have been located in early North American records:

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

Thurston migration to Canada +

Some of the first settlers of this family name were:

Thurston Settlers in Canada in the 18th Century
Thurston Settlers in Canada in the 20th Century

Thurston migration to Australia +

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

Thurston Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century

Thurston 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:

Thurston Settlers in New Zealand in the 19th Century

Contemporary Notables of the name Thurston (post 1700) +


The Thurston 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.
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