Bourton History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
England

The origins of the Bourton name come from when the Anglo-Saxon tribes ruled over Britain. The name Bourton was originally derived from a 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 Bourton family

The surname Bourton 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 Bourton family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Bourton 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 Bourton History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Bourton Spelling Variations

Before English spelling was standardized a few hundred years ago, spelling variations of names were a common occurrence. Elements of Latin, French and other languages became incorporated into English through the Middle Ages, and name spellings changed even among the literate. The variations of the surname Bourton include Boughton, Bourton, Borton, Boughten, Bourten, Borten, Bouton, Broughton, Portan and many more.

Early Notables of the Bourton 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 Bourton Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Bourton migration to the United States +

A great wave of immigration to the New World was the result of the enormous political and religious disarray that struck England at that time. Families left for the New World in extremely large numbers. The long journey was the end of many immigrants and many more arrived sick and starving. Still, those who made it were rewarded with an opportunity far greater than they had known at home in England. These emigrant families went on to make significant contributions to these emerging colonies in which they settled. Some of the first North American settlers carried this name or one of its variants:

Bourton Settlers in United States in the 20th Century

Rene Bourton, aged 16, who arrived in New York in 1919 aboard the ship "La Lorraine" from Le Havre, France 4
Germaine M. Bourton, aged 20, who arrived in New York in 1919 aboard the ship "Kaiserin Augusta Victoria" from Brest, France 4

Bourton migration to Australia +

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

Bourton Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century

Mr. Edward Bourton, English convict who was convicted in Oxford, Oxfordshire, England for 14 years, transported aboard the "Eliza" on 22nd September 1819, arriving in New South Wales, Australia 5

Contemporary Notables of the name Bourton (post 1700) +

Clarence Frederick Thomas "Clarrie" Bourton (1908-1981), English footballer who played for various clubs from 1928 through 1939 and managed Bristol City (1938-1939)

The Bourton 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
Ellis Island Search retrieved 15th November 2022. Retrieved from https://heritage.statueofliberty.org/passenger-result
Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 10th February 2022). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/eliza