Show ContentsAnthrobus History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

The history of the Anthrobus family name begins after the Norman Conquest of 1066. They lived in Cheshire, where they held lands and a family seat at Antrobus.

Early Origins of the Anthrobus family

The surname Anthrobus was first found in Cheshire at Antrobus, a civil parish and village in the parish of Great Budworth, union of Runcorn and the hundred of Bucklow. The place name dates back to the Domesday Book where it was listed as Entrebus. At that time, it was part of the Tunnendune hundred and there was land enough for one plough. 1 Literally, the place name means 'within the woods' having been derived from the Norman-French Entre-bois. "Antrobus Hall and demesne belonged to the family of Antrobus from an early period till the reign of Henry IV., when it was sold to the Venables family. The estate was purchased in 1808 of Edward Townshend, Esq., of Chester, by Edmond Antrobus, Esq., a descendant of the former proprietors, and is now the property of Sir Edmund W. Antrobus, Bart." 2

Early History of the Anthrobus family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Anthrobus research. Another 60 words (4 lines of text) covering the years 1460, 1604 and 1808 are included under the topic Early Anthrobus History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Anthrobus Spelling Variations

Anglo-Norman names are characterized by a multitude of spelling variations. When the Normans became the ruling people of England in the 11th century, they introduced a new language into a society where the main languages of Old and later Middle English had no definite spelling rules. These languages were more often spoken than written, so they blended freely with one another. Contributing to this mixing of tongues was the fact that medieval scribes spelled words according to sound, ensuring that a person's name would appear differently in nearly every document in which it was recorded. The name has been spelled Anthrobus, Antrobus, Antrobuss, Entrobus and others.

Early Notables of the Anthrobus family

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

Migration of the Anthrobus family

For many English families, the political and religious disarray that plagued their homeland made the frontiers of the New World an attractive prospect. Thousands migrated, aboard cramped disease-ridden ships. They arrived sick, poor, and hungry, but were welcomed in many cases with far greater opportunity than at home in England. Many of these hardy settlers went on to make important contributions to the emerging nations in which they landed. Among early immigrants bearing the name Anthrobus or a variant listed above were: Benjamin Antrobus who settled in West New Jersey in 1664; Joan Antrobus who settled in Massachusetts in 1635; Thomas Antrobus, his wife Margaret, and four daughters, settled in Georgia in 1733.



The Anthrobus 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: Dei memor, gratus amicis
Motto Translation: Mindful of God.


  1. Williams, Dr Ann. And G.H. Martin, Eds., Domesday Book A Complete Translation. London: Penguin, 1992. Print. (ISBN 0-141-00523-8)
  2. Lewis, Samuel, A Topographical Dictionary of England. Institute of Historical Research, 1848, Print.


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