Show ContentsBusteed History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

The name Busteed was formed many centuries ago by the ancient Anglo-Saxon tribes of Britain. It was a name typically given to a person who had facial features similar to a buzzard or bustard which was a large bird, "now as rare as the eagle in England." 1 The name is derived from the "Old French bistarde, bustarde." 2

Early Origins of the Busteed family

The surname Busteed was first found in the Pipe Rolls where Walter Buistard was listed in 1159 and the singular name Bustard was found in 1162. Later, Robert Boistard was recorded in the Feet of Fines for Yorkshire in 1231. Robert Bustarde was recorded in Whitby, North Yorkshire in 1343. 2

The Yorkshire Poll Tax Rolls of 1379 included entries for Robertus Bustardbank and Johannes Bustard. Both held landsa there at that time. 1

Early History of the Busteed family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Busteed research. Another 51 words (4 lines of text) covering the years 1600 and 1890 are included under the topic Early Busteed History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Busteed 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 Busteed include Bustard, Busteed, Busterd and others.

Early Notables of the Busteed family

Notables of this surname at this time include:

  • Giles Busteed of Mount Long in County Cork

Ireland Migration of the Busteed family to Ireland

Some of the Busteed 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.


Canada Busteed migration to Canada +

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:

Busteed Settlers in Canada in the 18th Century
  • William Busteed, who landed in Quebec in 1784

Contemporary Notables of the name Busteed (post 1700) +

  • Richard Busteed (1822-1898), American attorney and soldier in the Union Army during the American Civil War
  • Richard Busteed (1822-1898), American politician, U.S. District Judge for the Southern District of Alabama, 1863-74; U.S. District Judge for the Middle District of Alabama, 1863-74 3
  • Kimberley Busteed (b. 1988), Australian beauty pageant titleholder, Miss Australia 2007


  1. Bardsley, C.W, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames: With Special American Instances. Wiltshire: Heraldry Today, 1901. Print. (ISBN 0-900455-44-6)
  2. Reaney, P.H and R.M. Wilson, A Dictionary of English Surnames. London: Routledge, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-415-05737-X)
  3. The Political Graveyard: Alphabetical Name Index. (Retrieved 2016, January 12) . Retrieved from http://politicalgraveyard.com/alpha/index.html


Houseofnames.com on Facebook