Show ContentsHusbourn History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

The name Husbourn reached English shores for the first time with the ancestors of the Husbourn family as they migrated following the Norman Conquest in 1066. Husbourn is a name for a farmer. The name was originally derived from the Old English husband, which meant one who tills soil. The modern connotations of the word appeared much later. "A husband was the farmer of a husbandland of 26 acres." 1

Early Origins of the Husbourn family

The surname Husbourn was first found in Yorkshire where Ernald, Robert Husebond was listed in the Pipe Rolls of 1176 and later in Northumberland in 1231. Robert le Hosebonde was registered in the Hundredorum Rolls of 1273. 2

Walter le Husebond, Cambridgeshire was similarly registered in the Hundredorum Rolls. In Somerset, John Husebonde and William Husebond were both registered there 1 Edward III (during the first year of King Edward III's reign.) 3

Further to the north in Scotland, "Alexander Husband was prepositus of Invemairn in 1291, and in 1295 he was one of those who attested to the valuation of Kylrauoc and Estirgedeys. Andrew Husband was a weaver in Perth in 1506." 4

Early History of the Husbourn family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Husbourn research. Another 198 words (14 lines of text) covering the years 1206, 1562, 1679, 1689, 1695, 1728 and 1742 are included under the topic Early Husbourn History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Husbourn 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 Husband, Husbands, Husbants, Husborne and others.

Early Notables of the Husbourn family

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

Migration of the Husbourn 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 Husbourn or a variant listed above: Thomas and Mary Husband, who arrived in Virginia in 1635; Samuel Husbants, who settled in Barbados in 1675 with his wife and servants; Christopher Husband, who settled in Maryland in 1731.



  1. Smith, Eldson Coles, New Dictionary of American Family Names New York: Harper & Row, 1956. Print
  2. Reaney, P.H and R.M. Wilson, A Dictionary of English Surnames. London: Routledge, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-415-05737-X)
  3. Dickinson, F.H., Kirby's Quest for Somerset of 16th of Edward the 3rd London: Harrison and Sons, Printers in Ordinary to Her Majesty, St, Martin's Lane, 1889. Print.
  4. 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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