Show ContentsHorsbroch History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Etymology of Horsbroch

What does the name Horsbroch mean?

The origins of the Horsbroch name Horsbroch are rooted in the ancient Anglo-Saxon culture of Britain. The surname comes from when they lived in the settlement of Horsburgh in Innerleithen, in the county of Peebles, Scotland. As such, the Horsbroch surname belongs to the large category of Anglo-Saxon habitation names, which are derived from pre-existing names for towns, villages, parishes, or farmsteads.

Early Origins of the Horsbroch family

The surname Horsbroch was first found in Peeblesshire, where they held a family seat from very ancient times, and the first on record was Symon de Horsbroc, who witnessed a charter during the reign of Alexander II of Scotland (1214-49). It is thought that they came originally from the north bank of the Tweed in Northumberland, where an Anglo-Saxon known by Horse or Orse is said to have built a "burg."

"The first of the race is believed to have been an Anglo-Saxon, designated Horse, or Orse, who, settling on lands on the north bank of the Tweed, there reared the castle or burg which communicated the present surname to his descendants." 1

"William de Horsebroch, 'clericus decani et capellani Ecclesie de Glasguensis,' is in record in 1283. William de Horsbroch, likely the same person, was a notary public in 1287. Simon de Horsbrok, who entered the foreign service of Edward I of England in 1297, had his lands restored to him in that year. He is mentioned again in the years 1302 and 1304 as holding his lands of the same king." 1

Early History of the Horsbroch family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Horsbroch research. Another 207 words (15 lines of text) covering the years 1306, 1329, 1330, 1404, 1440, 1479, 1550, 1597, 1620, 1640 and 1686 are included under the topic Early Horsbroch History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Horsbroch 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 Horsbroch include Horsburgh, Horsbrough, Horseburgh, Horsbrook and many more.

Early Notables of the Horsbroch family

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

Migration of the Horsbroch 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 Horsbroch were among these contributors, for they have been located in early North American records: John Horsburgh, who arrived in Jamaica in 1725; a John Horsbrough, who was on record in Philadelphia in 1796; William Horsburgh, who settled in Carolina in 1761.



The Horsbroch 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: Aegre de tramite recto
Motto Translation: Having safely passed through a rough path.


  1. 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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