Show ContentsHumberst History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Early Origins of the Humberst family

The surname Humberst was first found in Lincolnshire at Humberston, a large sea coast village and civil parish to the south of Cleethorpes, North East Lincolnshire. The village takes its name from a large boulder, the Humber Stone, which can still be seen at the entrance to the village library.

The village dates back to the Domesday Book 1 where is was recorded as Humbrestone and literally meant "place by the boundary stone in the River Humber" 2

Hence, conjecturally, the surname is descended from the tenant of the lands of Humberston, held by Ivo Tailbois, chief tenant who was recorded in the Domesday Book census of 1086.

Early History of the Humberst family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Humberst research. Another 197 words (14 lines of text) covering the years 1102, 1186, 1476, 1510, 1560 and 1600 are included under the topic Early Humberst History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Humberst Spelling Variations

Multitudes of spelling variations are a hallmark of Anglo Norman names. Most of these names evolved in the 11th and 12th century, in the time after the Normans introduced their own Norman French language into a country where Old and Middle English had no spelling rules and the languages of the court were French and Latin. To make matters worse, medieval scribes spelled words according to sound, so names frequently appeared differently in the various documents in which they were recorded. The name was spelled Humberston, Humerston, Humberstone, Humblestone, Humbleston, Hummerston, Hummerstone, Humerston, Humerstone, Hunbertson, Hubertson, Humberson, Humerston, Humberstone, Umberston, Umberstone and many more.

Early Notables of the Humberst family

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

Migration of the Humberst family

Because of this political and religious unrest within English society, many people decided to immigrate to the colonies. Families left for Ireland, North America, and Australia in enormous numbers, traveling at high cost in extremely inhospitable conditions. The New World in particular was a desirable destination, but the long voyage caused many to arrive sick and starving. Those who made it, though, were welcomed by opportunities far greater than they had known at home in England. Many of these families went on to make important contributions to the emerging nations of Canada and the United States. Analysis of immigration records indicates that some of the first North American immigrants bore the name Humberst or a variant listed above: John Humberston, who arrived in Maryland in 1661; Henry Humberstone, who arrived in New Haven, CT between the years 1620-1650; as well as John Humberstone Sr., who was recorded in the census of Ontario of 1871..



  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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