Show ContentsGolboourn History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Early Origins of the Golboourn family

The surname Golboourn was first found in Cheshire where it was listed as Golborne, part of the Duddeston hundred. Hence, conjecturally, the surname is descended from the tenant of the lands of Golborne held by Osbern FitzTezzo a Norman noble from William Malbank, Baron of Nantwich who was recorded in the Domesday Book census of 1086. 1 Baron William was from Brecy, near Caen in Normandy and was granted the lands by Duke William after Hastings. Golborne held an important winter Mill and was a large village in 1066. William Malbank, originally 'le Seigneur William de Brecy', may have adopted his new name Mal or Milbank from this Mill. Golborne is also a town in Greater Manchester, historically part of Lancashire and dates back to 1187, when it was spelt Goldeburn. The place name literally meant "stream where marsh marigolds grow", derived from the Old English golde + burna. 2

Early History of the Golboourn family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Golboourn research. Another 110 words (8 lines of text) covering the years 1230 and 1332 are included under the topic Early Golboourn History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Golboourn Spelling Variations

Until the dictionary, an invention of only the last few hundred years, the English language lacked any comprehensive system of spelling rules. Consequently, spelling variations in names are frequently found in early Anglo-Saxon and later Anglo-Norman documents. One person's name was often spelled several different ways over a lifetime. The recorded variations of Golboourn include Golborn, Goldbourne, Goldborn, Goulbourn, Goulborn, Golborne, Goldborne, Goldburn, Goldburne, Golburn, Golburne, Golbourne and many more.

Early Notables of the Golboourn family

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

Migration of the Golboourn family

Thousands of English families boarded ships sailing to the New World in the hope of escaping the unrest found in England at this time. Although the search for opportunity and freedom from persecution abroad took the lives of many because of the cramped conditions and unsanitary nature of the vessels, the opportunity perceived in the growing colonies of North America beckoned. Many of the settlers who survived the journey went on to make important contributions to the transplanted cultures of their adopted countries. The Golboourn were among these contributors, for they have been located in early North American records: Edward Golbourn, who arrived in Virginia in 1654; and Richard Golbourne, who settled in Virginia in 1658.



  1. Williams, Dr Ann. And G.H. Martin, Eds., Domesday Book A Complete Translation. London: Penguin, 1992. Print. (ISBN 0-141-00523-8)
  2. Mills, A.D., Dictionary of English Place-Names. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-19-869156-4)


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