Husher History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
England
Ireland

Husher is a name of ancient Norman origin. It arrived in England with the Norman Conquest of 1066. It is a name for a door keeper to a king. Further research showed the name was derived from the Old French word l'ussier, meaning the door keeper. This job held considerable status, as it entailed knowing the rank and status of all those who would enter the King's chambers. 1

Early Origins of the Husher family

The surname Husher was first found in Durham where it is said they were descended from Richard de Neuville, the Admiral of Duke William's fleet, who was granted lands originally in Westmorland. His third son was entrusted with the defense of Bridgnorth in 1102.

"James Ussher, the celebrated Archbishop of Armagh, was a son of A. Ussher, one of the six clerks in Chancery, descended from a branch of the Norman family of De Neville, which assumed the name of Le Uschere or Le Huissier, from the office of Ostiarius granted to them by King John. Of this family was the gallant Admiral Sir Thomas Ussher." 2

In Essex, the first record of the family was found at Colchester where Richard Ussier was registered. William le Usser or Lussier was found in the Assize Rolls for Somerset in 1243 and later, Geoffrey le Uscher was listed in Cambridgeshire in 1300. In Bedfordshire, Richard Lusscher was registered in the Subsidy Rolls of 1319 and in Cumberland, the Subsidy Rolls of 1332 included Adam Husser. 3

Early History of the Husher family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Husher research. Another 109 words (8 lines of text) covering the years 1200, 1550, 1581, 1582, 1613, 1625, 1629 and 1656 are included under the topic Early Husher History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Husher Spelling Variations

A multitude of spelling variations characterize Norman surnames. Many variations occurred because Old and Middle English lacked any definite spelling rules. The introduction of Norman French to England also had a pronounced effect, as did the court languages of Latin and French. Therefore, one person was often referred to by several different spellings in a single lifetime. The various spellings include Usher, Ussher and others.

Early Notables of the Husher family

Outstanding amongst the family at this time was Henry Ussher (c. 1550-1613), a founder of Trinity College, Dublin and Church of Ireland, Archbishop of Armagh; and James Ussher (Usher) (1581-1656), Church of Ireland Archbishop of Armagh and Primate of...
Another 39 words (3 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Husher Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Husher family to Ireland

Some of the Husher family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt.
Another 121 words (9 lines of text) about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Husher family

Many English families left England, to avoid the chaos of their homeland and migrated to the many British colonies abroad. Although the conditions on the ships were extremely cramped, and some travelers arrived diseased, starving, and destitute, once in the colonies, many of the families prospered and made valuable contributions to the cultures of what would become the United States and Canada. Research into the origins of individual families in North America has revealed records of the immigration of a number of people bearing the name Husher or a variant listed above: Ben Usher, who came to Virginia in 1623; John and William Usher, who arrived in Barbados in 1634; John Usher, who settled in Charles Town [Charleston], South Carolina in 1767.

Citations +

Bardsley, C.W, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames: With Special American Instances. Wiltshire: Heraldry Today, 1901. Print. (ISBN 0-900455-44-6)
The Norman People and Their Existing Descendants in the British Dominions and the United States Of America. Baltimore: Genealogical Publishing, 1975. Print. (ISBN 0-8063-0636-X)
Reaney, P.H and R.M. Wilson, A Dictionary of English Surnames. London: Routledge, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-415-05737-X)