Show ContentsBird History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Bird Family Crest Download (JPG) Heritage Series - 600 DPI

Family Crest Download (JPG) Heritage Series - 600 DPI

Etymology of Bird

What does the name Bird mean?

The ancient Anglo-Saxon culture once found in Britain is the soil from which the many generations of the Bird family have grown. The name Bird was given to a member of the family who was a person who worked as a bird catcher or someone who had birdlike characteristics. 1

Early Origins of the Bird family

The surname Bird was first found in Cheshire at Broxton, a township, in the parish of Malpas, union of Great Boughton, Higher division of the hundred of Broxton. 2

"Its principal home is in the east of England, south of the Wash, especially in Norfolk. It is scattered about the midland counties, and is also represented in Somerset and Dorset. In other parts of England it is absent or rare, but in the county of Worcester its absence is supplied by Byrd." 3

The Hundredorum Rolls of 1273 included: David le Brid, Oxfordshire; John le Brid, Oxfordshire; Stefan Brid, Suffolk; and Geoffrey Bryd, Salop (Shropshire.) 4

Over in Somerset, Henry le Brid, was listed there 1 Edward III (during the first year of King Edward III's reign.) 5

Later the Yorkshire Poll Tax Rolls of 1379 listed Johannes Bridde as holding lands there at that time. 4

Further to the north in Scotland, William Bird was admitted burgess of Aberdeen in 1443. 6

Early History of the Bird family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Bird research. Another 116 words (8 lines of text) covering the years 1538, 1540, 1543, 1554, 1558, 1563, 1569, 1608, 1623, 1634, 1652, 1663, 1667, 1669, 1674, 1684, 1704, 1744 and 1890 are included under the topic Early Bird History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Bird Spelling Variations

Sound was what guided spelling in the essentially pre-literate Middle Ages, so one person's name was often recorded under several variations during a single lifetime. Also, before the advent of the printing press and the first dictionaries, the English language was not standardized. Therefore, spelling variations were common, even among the names of the most literate people. Known variations of the Bird family name include Bird, Byrd, Byrde and others.

Early Notables of the Bird family

  • Theophilus Bird, or Bourne, (1608-1663) an English actor; John Bird (died 1558), who was an English Carmelite monk and bishop
  • William Byrd I (1652-1704), was a London goldsmith who emigrated to America in 1669, and was a member of colonial Virginia's House of Burgesses. William Byrd II (1674-1744), was founder of Richmond, V...

Bird World Ranking

the United States, the name Bird is the 972nd most popular surname with an estimated 29,844 people with that name. 7 However, in Canada, the name Bird is ranked the 531st most popular surname with an estimated 9,239 people with that name. 8 And in Australia, the name Bird is the 249th popular surname with an estimated 13,986 people with that name. 9 New Zealand ranks Bird as 281st with 2,161 people. 10 The United Kingdom ranks Bird as 182nd with 30,377 people. 11

Migration of the Bird family to Ireland

Some of the Bird family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt.
Another 84 words (6 lines of text) about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Bird migration to the United States +

For political, religious, and economic reasons, thousands of English families boarded ships for Ireland, the Canadas, the America colonies, and many of smaller tropical colonies in the hope of finding better lives abroad. Although the passage on the cramped, dank ships caused many to arrive in the New World diseased and starving, those families that survived the trip often went on to make valuable contributions to those new societies to which they arrived. Early immigrants bearing the Bird surname or a spelling variation of the name include :

Bird Settlers in United States in the 17th Century
  • Richard Bird, who settled in Virginia in 1635
  • Rich Bird, who landed in Virginia in 1635 13
  • Richard Bird, who landed in Virginia in 1636 13
  • Jathnell Bird, who landed in Ipswich, Massachusetts in 1641 13
  • Susan Bird, who arrived in Virginia in 1642 13
  • ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)
Bird Settlers in United States in the 18th Century
  • Samuel Bird, who landed in Virginia in 1749 13
  • Samuel Bird, who arrived in Maryland in 1777 13
Bird Settlers in United States in the 19th Century
  • Joseph Bird, who landed in New York in 1824 13
  • John S Bird, who arrived in Charleston, South Carolina in 1827 13
  • Mrs. Bird, aged 43, British settler who arrived in New Orleans aboard the ship "Alesto" on 16th May 1841
  • Mr. Patt Bird, aged 45, British farmer who arrived in New Orleans aboard the ship "Alesto" on 16th May 1841
  • Mr. Young Bird, aged 2, British settler who arrived in New Orleans aboard the ship "Alesto" on 16th May 1841
  • ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Bird migration to Canada +

Bird Settlers in Canada in the 18th Century
  • Mr. Henry Bird U.E. who settled in Prince Edward County, Ontario c. 1783 14
  • Mr. James Bird U.E. who settled in Eastern District [Cornwall], Ontario c. 1783 14
  • Mr. Thomas Bird Jr., U.E. who settled in Eastern District [Cornwall], Ontario c. 1783 14
  • Mr. Thomas Bird Sr., U.E. who settled in Eastern District [Cornwall], Ontario c. 1783 14
Bird Settlers in Canada in the 19th Century
  • Thomas Bird, who arrived in Halifax, Nova Scotia in 1811
  • Mary Bird, who arrived in Halifax, Nova Scotia in 1811
  • Miss. Jane Bird, aged who was emigrating through Grosse Isle Quarantine Station, Quebec aboard the ship "Herald" departing 20th May 1847 from Dublin, Ireland; the ship arrived on 26th June 1847 but she died on board 15
  • Miss. Jane Bird, aged 18 who was emigrating through Grosse Isle Quarantine Station, Quebec aboard the ship "Sarah Maria" departing 7th May 1847 from Sligo, Ireland; the ship arrived on 28th June 1847 but she died on board 15
  • Mr. Thomas Bird, aged 30 who was emigrating through Grosse Isle Quarantine Station, Quebec aboard the ship "Emigrant" departing 11th August 1847 from Liverpool, England; the ship arrived on 3rd October 1847 but he died on board 15

Bird migration to Australia +

Emigration to Australia included the First Fleet, Second Fleet and Third Fleet of convicts, tradespeople and early settlers. Early immigrants include:

First Fleet
  • Mr. George Bird, (1762 - 1790), aged 27, British settler convicted in Middlesex, England in 1788, sentenced to 7 years for theft, transported aboard the ship "Neptune" leaving in 1789 arriving in New South Wales, Australia in 1790, may have died on the ship 12
Second Fleet
  • Mr. John Bird, British settler convicted in Warwickshire, England in 1790, sentenced to 7 years for breaking and entry, transported aboard the ship "Britannia" leaving in 1790 arriving in New South Wales, Australia in 1791 13
  • Mr. John Bird, (d. 1793), British settler convicted in Surrey, England in 1789, sentenced to 7 years for stealing, transported aboard the ship "Britannia" leaving in 1790 arriving in New South Wales, Australia in 1791 13
Third Fleet
  • Mr. Samuel Bird, (b. 1762), aged 25, English convicted in Croydon, South London on 20th July 1785, sentenced for 7 years for stealing, transported aboard the ship "Alexander" leaving in 1787 arriving in New South Wales, Australia in 1788, he escaped in 1791 and died in 1792 13
  • Miss Elizabeth Bird, (b. 1742), aged 45, English settler convicted in Maidstone, Kent on 14th March 1785, sentenced for 7 years for stealing animals, transported aboard the ship "Lady Penrhyn" leaving in 1787 arriving in New South Wales, Australia in 1788 13
Following the First, Second and Third Fleets, other convicts and early settlers arriving in Australia include:

Bird Settlers in Australia in the 18th Century
  • Mr. John Bird, English convict who was convicted in Middlesex, England for 7 years, transported aboard the "Barwell" in September 1797, arriving in New South Wales, Australia 16
Bird Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century

Bird 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:

Bird Settlers in New Zealand in the 19th Century
  • William Bird, who landed in Wellington, New Zealand in 1840
  • John Bird, who landed in Wellington, New Zealand in 1840
  • Mrs. Ann Bird, British settler travelling from England aboard the ship "Fifeshire" arriving in Nelson, South Island, New Zealand on 1st February 1842 20
  • Reuben Bird, who landed in Nelson, New Zealand in 1842 aboard the ship Fifeshire
  • William Bird, aged 33, a farm labourer, who arrived in Wellington, New Zealand aboard the ship "Clifton" in 1842
  • ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)
Bird Settlers in New Zealand in the 20th Century
  • Leonard Bird, aged 57, who arrived in Auckland, New Zealand aboard the ship "S. S. Waimana" in 1926
  • Leonard Bird, aged 22, who arrived in Auckland, New Zealand aboard the ship "S. S. Waimana" in 1926

Bird migration to West Indies +

The British first settled the British West Indies around 1604. They made many attempts but failed in some to establish settlements on the Islands including Saint Lucia and Grenada. By 1627 they had managed to establish settlements on St. Kitts (St. Christopher) and Barbados, but by 1641 the Spanish had moved in and destroyed some of these including those at Providence Island. The British continued to expand the settlements including setting the First Federation in the British West Indies by 1674; some of the islands include Barbados, Bermuda, Cayman Island, Turks and Caicos, Jamaica and Belize then known as British Honduras. By the 1960's many of the islands became independent after the West Indies Federation which existed from 1958 to 1962 failed due to internal political conflicts. After this a number of Eastern Caribbean islands formed a free association. 21
Bird Settlers in West Indies in the 17th Century
  • John Bird, who settled in Barbados in 1663

Contemporary Notables of the name Bird (post 1700) +

  • Nalda Marie Bird (1927-2004), married name Phillips, American starting pitcher and outfielder who played in the All-American Girls Professional Baseball League
  • Rodger Paul Bird (1943-2020), American professional football player for the Oakland Raiders (1966-1968)
  • Jerry Lee Bird (1934-2017), American NBA basketball player
  • Forrest Morton Bird (1921-2015), American aviator, inventor, and biomedical engineer
  • Brigadier-General Whittier S. Bird (1898-1977), American Chief of Staff, 37th Division (1941) 22
  • Robert Byron Bird (b. 1924), American chemical engineer awarded the National Medal of Science in 1987
  • Larry Bird (b. 1956), American basketball player, 12-time NBA All-Star
  • George Bird (1850-1940), American baseball player
  • Robert Montgomery Bird (1805-1854), American author
  • ... (Another 15 notables are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)
HMS Cornwall
  • John Minnitt Bird (d. 1942), British Chaplain aboard the HMS Cornwall when she was struck by air bombers and sunk; he died in the sinking 23
  • Mr. Herbert G A Bird (b. 1922), English Ordnance Artificer 3rd Class serving for the Royal Navy from Portsmouth, Hampshire, England, who sailed into battle and died in the HMS Hood sinking 24
  • Mr. Thomas Frederick Bird, British Wireman, who sailed into battle on the HMS Prince of Wales (1941) and survived the sinking 25
  • Mr. Fred Bird, British Able Bodied Seaman, who sailed into battle on the HMS Repulse (1941) and survived the sinking 26
  • Mr. Douglas Bird (1894-1917), British Able Seaman from London, who was aboard the ship "HMS Vanguard" when she exploded in the Scapa Flow off the Orkney Islands, Scotland on 9th July 1917
  • ... (Another 10 entries are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

The Bird 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: Cruce spes mea
Motto Translation: My hope is in the cross.

Suggested Readings for the name Bird +

  • The American Descendants of Robert Bird by Katherine Moore Cushman.
  • Genealogical Sketch of the Bird Family, Having Its Origin in Hartford, Connecticut by Isaac Bird.
  1. Smith, Eldson Coles, New Dictionary of American Family Names New York: Harper & Row, 1956. Print
  2. Lewis, Samuel, A Topographical Dictionary of England. Institute of Historical Research, 1848, Print.
  3. Guppy, Henry Brougham, Homes of Family Names in Great Britain. 1890. Print.
  4. Bardsley, C.W, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames: With Special American Instances. Wiltshire: Heraldry Today, 1901. Print. (ISBN 0-900455-44-6)
  5. Dickinson, F.H., Kirby's Quest for Somerset of 16th of Edward the 3rd London: Harrison and Sons, Printers in Ordinary to Her Majesty, St, Martin's Lane, 1889. Print.
  6. Black, George F., The Surnames of Scotland Their Origin, Meaning and History. New York: New York Public Library, 1946. Print. (ISBN 0-87104-172-3)
  7. "What are the 5,000 Most Common Last Names in the U.S.?". NameCensus.com, https://namecensus.com/last-names/
  8. "Surnames Meanings, Origins & Distribution Maps - Forebears." Forebears, https://forebears.io/surnames
  9. "Most Common Last Names in Australia." Forebears, https://forebears.io/australia/surnames
  10. "Most Common Last Names in New Zealand." Forebears, https://forebears.io/new-zealand/surnames
  11. "UK surname ranking." UK Surname map, https://www.surnamemap.eu/unitedkingdom/surnames_ranking.php?p=10
  12. Convict Records of Australia. Retrieved 4th February 2021 from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships
  13. Filby, P. William, Meyer, Mary K., Passenger and immigration lists index : a guide to published arrival records of about 500,000 passengers who came to the United States and Canada in the seventeenth, eighteenth, and nineteenth centuries. 1982-1985 Cumulated Supplements in Four Volumes Detroit, Mich. : Gale Research Co., 1985, Print (ISBN 0-8103-1795-8)
  14. Rubincam, Milton. The Old United Empire Loyalists List. Genealogical Publishing Co., Inc, 1976. (Originally published as; United Empire Loyalists. The Centennial of the Settlement of Upper Canada. Rose Publishing Company, 1885.) ISBN 0-8063-0331-X
  15. Charbonneau, André, and Doris Drolet-Dubé. A Register of Deceased Persons at Sea and on Grosse Île in 1847. The Minister of Canadian Heritage, 1997. ISBN: 0-660-198/1-1997E (p. 65)
  16. Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 29th September 2020). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/barwell
  17. Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 13th August 2021). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/earl-cornwallis
  18. Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 27th October 2020). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/Boyd
  19. Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 9th December 2020). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/canada
  20. New Zealand Yesteryears Passenger Lists 1800 to 1900 (Retrieved 17th October 2018). Retrieved from http://www.yesteryears.co.nz/shipping/passlist.html
  21. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/British_West_Indies
  22. Generals of World War II. (Retrieved 2011, October 6) Whittier Bird. Retrieved from http://generals.dk/general/Bird/Whittier_S./USA.html
  23. Force Z Survivors Crew List HMS Cornwall (Retrieved 2018, February 13th) - Retrieved from https://www.forcez-survivors.org.uk/biographies/listcornwallcrew.html#A
  24. H.M.S. Hood Association-Battle Cruiser Hood: Crew Information - H.M.S. Hood Rolls of Honour, Men Lost in the Sinking of H.M.S. Hood, 24th May 1941. (Retrieved 2016, July 15) . Retrieved from http://www.hmshood.com/crew/memorial/roh_24may41.htm
  25. HMS Prince of Wales Crew members. (Retrieved 2014, April 9) . Retrieved from http://www.forcez-survivors.org.uk/biographies/listprincecrew.html
  26. HMS Repulse Crew members. (Retrieved 2014, April 9) . Retrieved from http://www.forcez-survivors.org.uk/biographies/listrepulsecrew.html

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