Rushforth History, Family Crest & Coats of ArmsEarly Origins of the Rushforth familyThe surname Rushforth was first found in Norfolk where they held a family seat as Lords of the Manor. After the Battle of Hastings in 1066, William, Duke of Normandy, having prevailed over King Harold, granted most of Britain to his many victorious Barons. It was not uncommon to find a Baron, or a Bishop, with 60 or more Lordships scattered throughout the country. These he gave to his sons, nephews and other junior lines of his family and they became known as under-tenants. They adopted the Norman system of surnames which identified the under-tenant with his holdings so as to distinguish him from the senior stem of the family. After many rebellious wars between his Barons, Duke William, commissioned a census of all England to determine in 1086, settling once and for all, who held which land. He called the census the Domesday Book, 1 indicating that those holders registered would hold the land until the end of time. Hence, conjecturally, the surname is descended from the tenant of the lands of Rushford, held by John, the nephew of Waleran, Count of Meulan, who was recorded in the Domesday Book census of 1086. Early History of the Rushforth familyThis web page shows only a small excerpt of our Rushforth research. Another 87 words (6 lines of text) covering the year 1342 is included under the topic Early Rushforth History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible. Rushforth Spelling VariationsSpelling variations of this family name include: Rushford, Rushforth, Russford, Russforth and others. Early Notables of the Rushforth familyMore information is included under the topic Early Rushforth Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.
Emigration to Australia followed the First Fleets of convicts, tradespeople and early settlers. Early immigrants include: Rushforth Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century
Emigration to New Zealand followed in the footsteps of the European explorers, such as Captain Cook (1769-70): first came sealers, whalers, missionaries, and traders. By 1838, the British New Zealand Company had begun buying land from the Maori tribes, and selling it to settlers, and, after the Treaty of Waitangi in 1840, many British families set out on the arduous six month journey from Britain to Aotearoa to start a new life. Early immigrants include: Rushforth Settlers in New Zealand in the 19th Century
|