Bourtend History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
England

Of all the Anglo-Saxon names to come from Britain, Bourtend is one of the most ancient. The name is a result of the original family having lived in one of many places called Boughton throughout England. Settlements named Boughton were found in Huntingdonshire, Lincolnshire, Nottinghamshire, and Northamptonshire. Great Boughton is found in Cheshire, and Kent was home to settlements called Boughton Aluph, Boughton Malherbe, Boughton Monchelsea, and Boughton under Blean.

Early Origins of the Bourtend family

The surname Bourtend was first found in Warwickshire, where this "family of good antiquity, traced to Robert de Boreton, grandfather of William, who lived in the reign of Edward III. " 1

"Downton Hall [in Downton, Shropshire], the seat of Sir William Rouse Boughton, Bart., to whom the whole property belongs, is a handsome mansion, approached by a beautiful avenue two miles in length, on a gradual ascent, from which the scenery is extensive, romantic, and mountainous, embracing the Titterstone and the Clee hills." 2

One of the earliest records of the family was Joan Boughton (d. 1494), the English martyr, who "was an old widow of eighty years or more, who held certain of Wycliffe's opinions. She was said to be the mother of a lady named Young, who was suspected of the like doctrines. She was burnt at Smithfield 28 April 1494. " 3

Early History of the Bourtend family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Bourtend research. Another 204 words (15 lines of text) covering the years 1600, 1628, 1632, 1656, 1663, 1680, 1683, 1689, 1716, 1722, 1747, 1760, 1780, 1791, 1794, 1821, 1893 and 1963 are included under the topic Early Bourtend History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Bourtend Spelling Variations

The first dictionaries that appeared in the last few hundred years did much to standardize the English language. Before that time, spelling variations in names were a common occurrence. The language was changing, incorporating pieces of other languages, and the spelling of names changed with it. Bourtend has been spelled many different ways, including Boughton, Bourton, Borton, Boughten, Bourten, Borten, Bouton, Broughton, Portan and many more.

Early Notables of the Bourtend family

Notables of the family at this time include Sir William Boughton, 1st Baronet (1600-1656) of Lawford in the County of Warwick; Sir Edward Boughton, 2nd Baronet (1628-1680); Sir William Boughton, 3rd...
Another 31 words (2 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Bourtend Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Bourtend family

Thousands of English families in this era began to emigrate the New World in search of land and freedom from religious and political persecution. Although the passage was expensive and the ships were dark, crowded, and unsafe, those who made the voyage safely were rewarded with opportunities unavailable to them in their homeland. Research into passenger and immigration lists has revealed some of the very first Bourtends to arrive in North America: Thomas Boughton who settled in Virginia in 1639; James Boughton arrived in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in 1852; D. Boughton arrived in San Francisco Cal. in 1851..

The Bourtend 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: Omne bonum Dei donum
Motto Translation: Every good is the gift of God.

Citations +

Shirley, Evelyn Philip, The Noble and Gentle Men of England; The Arms and Descents. Westminster: John Bower Nichols and Sons, 1866, Print.
Lewis, Samuel, A Topographical Dictionary of England. Institute of Historical Research, 1848, Print.
Smith, George (ed), Dictionary of National Biography. London: Smith, Elder & Co., 1885-1900. Print