Show ContentsChadburn History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

The origins of the Chadburn name come from when the Anglo-Saxon tribes ruled over Britain. The name Chadburn was originally derived from a family having lived in the settlement of Chatburn in the county of Lancashire. The village, civil parish and electoral ward dates back to at least 1242 when it was recorded as Chatteburn, and literally meant "stream of a man called Ceatta," from the Old English personal name + "burna." 1

Early Origins of the Chadburn family

The surname Chadburn was first found in Lancashire at Chatburn, a district chapelry and a township, in the parish of Whalley. This township is situated on the Ribble river and takes its name from one of the most distinguished characters of that time, St Chad (d. 672) a prominent 7th century Anglo-Saxon churchman and abbot of several monasteries; Bishop of the Northumbrians; and later Bishop of the Mercians and Lindsey People. The township has remained relatively small through the ages as by the end of the 19th century it had only 500 inhabitants. 2

A scan of early rolls revealed a variety of spelling in use over the years: John de Chatteburn in the Yorkshire Poll Tax Rolls in 1379; William Chatburn, a Freeman of York in 1449; John Chadbourne 1660, Chatband 1788, Chadband 1802. 3

Another source notes the Yorkshire Poll Tax Rolls include: Johannes de Chatteburn; Henricus de Chatteburn; and Ricardus Chattburne. 4 In Scotland, "this surname, recorded in Aberdeen, is most probably a recent introduction from England." 5

Early History of the Chadburn family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Chadburn research. Another 54 words (4 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Chadburn History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Chadburn 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 Chadburn include Chadbourne, Chadborn, Chadbourn, Chadburn and many more.

Early Notables of the Chadburn family

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


Chadburn 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:

Chadburn Settlers in United States in the 19th Century
  • C. Chadburn arrived in San Francisco, California in 1850

Contemporary Notables of the name Chadburn (post 1700) +

  • Maud Chadburn (1868-1957), English surgeon, one of the first women in the United Kingdom to pursue that career
  • Leo Chadburn, English experimental musician and classical composer, known by his stage name "Simon Bookish"
  • Jack Chadburn (1873-1923), English professional footballer
  • Lloyd Chadburn (1919-1944), Canadian fighter pilot and flying ace in the Royal Canadian Air Force, during World War II, credited with 6½ aerial victories, he was killed in a mid-air collision with another Spitfire pilot while taking off from a landing strip in Normandy


  1. Mills, A.D., Dictionary of English Place-Names. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-19-869156-4)
  2. Lewis, Samuel, A Topographical Dictionary of England. Institute of Historical Research, 1848, Print.
  3. Reaney, P.H and R.M. Wilson, A Dictionary of English Surnames. London: Routledge, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-415-05737-X)
  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. 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)


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