The earliest forms of hereditary surnames in Scotland were the patronymic surnames, which are derived from the father's given name, and metronymic surnames, which are derived from the mother's given name. Scottish patronymic names emerged as early as the mid-9th century. The patronyms were derived from a variety of given names that were of many different origins. The surname Osbourn is derived from the Old Norse personal name Asbjorn, meaning divine bear. Alternatively the name was Anglicized as Osbeorn and Osbern from the Old English word "be(o)rn" which meant "god warrior." Osbernus was presbyter in record (1097-1107), and Osbern was capellanus (chaplain) from 1107 to 1124. Osbernus was abbot of Jaddewurd, (c. 1150) and Osbern was capellanus of Glasgow, c. 1180. [1]
The surname Osbourn was first found in Kent, where they were recorded as a family of great antiquity seated as Lords of the manor of Hartlip. They were descended from Sarum in Normandy, Osborne was expelled from Normandy in 1054 by King William. He sought refuge at the Court of MacBeth in Scotland, however he made his peace with William after the Conquest and was elected Bishop of Sarum and became one of only three people permitted to dine at the King's Table.
This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Osbourn research. Another 130 words (9 lines of text) covering the years 1160, 1180, 1398, 1399, 1513, 1648, 1730, 1656, 1596, 1667, 1639, 1649, 1685, 1639, 1649, 1671 and 1715 are included under the topic Early Osbourn History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.
The frequent translations of surnames from and into Gaelic, accounts for the multitude of spelling variations found in Scottish surnames. Furthermore, the spelling of surnames was rarely consistent because medieval scribes and church officials recorded names as they sounded, rather than adhering to any specific spelling rules. The different versions of a surname, such as the inclusion of the patronymic prefix "Mac", frequently indicated a religious or Clan affiliation, or even a division of the family. Moreover, a large number of foreign names were brought into Scotland, accelerating accentuating the alterations to various surnames. The name Osbourn has also been spelled Osborne, Osborn, Osbourne, Osbourn, Osburn, Osburne, Osbern and many more.
More information is included under the topic Early Osbourn Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.
In the United States, the name Osbourn is the 16,790th most popular surname with an estimated 2,487 people with that name. [2] However, in Newfoundland, Canada, the name Osbourn is ranked the 681st most popular surname with an estimated 64 people with that name. [3]
Some of the Osbourn family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt.
Another 132 words (9 lines of text) about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.
Some of the first North American settlers with Osbourn name or one of its variants: