Show ContentsHumberstone History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Humberstone is a name that came to England in the 11th century wave of migration that was set off by the Norman Conquest of 1066. The Humberstone family lived in Humber, Herefordshire, from where they took their name. The place-name Humber indicates the proximity of the settlement to a river bearing the same name. It was a common prehistoric name for rivers and is of uncertain meaning.

Early Origins of the Humberstone family

The surname Humberstone was first found in Herefordshire in the west country of England where they held a family seat as Lords of the manor of Humber from ancient times. Humber, an ancient English hamlet in the union of Leominster, hundred of Wolphy, dating back to the Iron Age, was granted by Duke William of Normandy in 1066 to Roger de Lacy, a Norman noble from whom the family name Humber is conjecturally descended. The Humber is a large tidal estuary on the east coast of Northern England.

Early feudal rolls provided the king of the time a method of cataloguing holdings for taxation, but today they provide a glimpse into the wide surname spellings in use at that time. John de Hwnbre was listed in Warwickshire in 1305 and John Humbre was found in Cheshire in 1392. 1

Early History of the Humberstone family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Humberstone research. Another 126 words (9 lines of text) covering the year 1604 is included under the topic Early Humberstone History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Humberstone Spelling Variations

Spelling variations in names were a common occurrence in the eras before English spelling was standardized a few hundred years ago. In the Middle Ages, even the literate regularly changed the spellings of their names as the English language incorporated elements of French, Latin, and other European languages. Many variations of the name Humberstone have been found, including Humber, Humbar, Humbor, Umber, Umbar, Umbor, Humbere, Humbore, Humbare, Humberston, Humbertson, Humberstone, Humberton, Humbertown, Humberstown, Humbletown, Humbleston, Humblestown and many more.

Early Notables of the Humberstone family

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


Humberstone migration to the United States +

For many English families, the social climate in England was oppressive and lacked opportunity for change. For such families, the shores of Ireland, Australia, and the New World beckoned. They left their homeland at great expense in ships that were overcrowded and full of disease. Many arrived after the long voyage sick, starving, and without a penny. But even those were greeted with greater opportunity than they could have experienced back home. Numerous English settlers who arrived in the United States and Canada at this time went on to make important contributions to the developing cultures of those countries. Many of those families went on to make significant contributions to the rapidly developing colonies in which they settled. Early North American records indicate many people bearing the name Humberstone were among those contributors:

Humberstone Settlers in United States in the 17th Century
  • Henry Humberstone, who settled in New Haven Connecticut between 1620 and 1650
  • Henry Humberstone, who arrived in New Haven, CT between the years 1620-1650

Humberstone migration to Canada +

Some of the first settlers of this family name were:

Humberstone Settlers in Canada in the 18th Century
  • Mr. Samuel Humberstone U.E. who settled in Canada c. 1784 2
Humberstone Settlers in Canada in the 19th Century
  • John Humberstone Sr. who was recorded in the census of Ontario of 1871

Humberstone migration to Australia +

Emigration to Australia followed the First Fleets of convicts, tradespeople and early settlers. Early immigrants include:

Humberstone Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century
  • James Humberstone, who arrived in Adelaide, Australia aboard the ship "Theresa" in 1847 3
  • William Humberstone, who arrived in Adelaide, Australia aboard the ship "Theresa" in 1847 3

Contemporary Notables of the name Humberstone (post 1700) +

  • H. Bruce 'Lucky' Humberstone (1901-1984), American child actor and director, one of the founders of the Directors Guild of America, he has a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame
  • Simon Humberstone (b. 1987), English rugby union player from Basingstoke, England


  1. Reaney, P.H and R.M. Wilson, A Dictionary of English Surnames. London: Routledge, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-415-05737-X)
  2. Rubincam, Milton. The Old United Empire Loyalists List. Genealogical Publishing Co., Inc, 1976. (Originally published as; United Empire Loyalists. The Centennial of the Settlement of Upper Canada. Rose Publishing Company, 1885.) ISBN 0-8063-0331-X
  3. State Records of South Australia. (Retrieved 2010, November 5) THERESA 1847. Retrieved from http://www.slsa.sa.gov.au/BSA/1847Theresa.htm


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