Show ContentsSilverthorne History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

The English surname Silverthorne is of several distinct origins. Firstly, it is derived from the Old English "silfor," meaning "silversmith"; in this instance, the progenitor of the name would have been someone who practiced this profession. 1

Alternatively, the name may be derived from the Old English "seolfre," meaning "silvery stream," and would in this case refer to someone who lived by such a stream. 2

Early Origins of the Silverthorne family

The surname Silverthorne was first found in Lincolnshire where the Book of Seals recorded Lucas Siluer in 1205 during the reign of King John, of England (1199-1216.) Later in Yorkshire, the Subsidy Rolls recorded John Siluer in 1301. Robert Silverhewer was listed in the Curia Regis Rolls for Yorkshire in 1212 and William Sylverour was a Freeman Of York in 1417. Thomas atte Selure (1327) and Thomas del Silvere (1332) were both recorded in the Subsidy Rolls of Worcestershire. 3

Up north in Scotland, "John Syllar was tenant of the garden of the Hospital of Dundee, 1464. James Silvir, "succentor Glasguensi," appears as witness in 1497, and may be James Siluer, rector of Durisdere, 1504. William Silver de Stobo was a charter witness, 1506, and another William Siluer or Silwer was a cleric in Aberdeen, 1540, and chaplain of Folaroull, 1546. The name Silver on a tomb in the Calton cemetery, Edinburgh, near the Stevenson 'lair' probably suggested to Robert Louis Stevenson the surname of his 'Long John Silver' in Treasure Island." 4

Early History of the Silverthorne family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Silverthorne research. Another 139 words (10 lines of text) covering the years 1350, 1464, 1504, 1560, 1599, 1620 and 1700 are included under the topic Early Silverthorne History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Silverthorne Spelling Variations

Spelling variations of this family name include: Silver, Silvar, Silber, Silvers, Silvars, Silvia, Sylvia and many more.

Early Notables of the Silverthorne family

Distinguished members of the family include Sir Batholemew Silver, who was seated in Hertfordshire about 1350; Alexander Silver, a wealthy East India trader from Aberdeenshire, Scotland in the 1700s; and George Silver (c.1560s-1620s), an English gentleman...
Another 35 words (2 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Silverthorne Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.


Silverthorne migration to Australia +

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

Silverthorne Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century
  • Seth. Silverthorne, aged 18, a labourer, who arrived in South Australia in 1852 aboard the ship "Sibella" 5
  • Mary Silverthorne, aged 14, a nurse maid, who arrived in South Australia in 1852 aboard the ship "Sibella" 5

Contemporary Notables of the name Silverthorne (post 1700) +

  • Jeffrey Silverthorne (b. 1946), American photographer
  • Jeanne Silverthorne (b. 1950), American sculptor, known for cast-rubber sculptures and installations
  • Alexandra Silverthorne (b. 1980), American photographer based in Washington D.C
  • Winifred Ellen "Winnie" Silverthorne (1925-1998), British pair skater silver medalist who competed with her brother Dennis Silverthorne
  • Thora Silverthorne (1910-1990), British Communist founder member
  • Paul Silverthorne (b. 1951), British violist from Cheshire principal violist of the London Symphony Orchestra and the London Sinfonietta
  • Judith Silverthorne (b. 1953), née Iles, Canadian author from Regina, Saskatchewan where she has won three Saskatchewan Book Awards
  • Dennis Silverthorne (1923-2004), British pair skater who won a silver medal in 1947

RMS Titanic
  • Mr. Spencer Victor Silverthorne, aged 35, American First Class passenger from St. Louis, Missouri who sailed aboard the RMS Titanic and survived the sinking escaping in life boat 5 6


  1. Lower, Mark Anthony, Patronymica Britannica, A Dictionary of Family Names of the United Kingdom. London: John Russel Smith, 1860. Print.
  2. Smith, Eldson Coles, New Dictionary of American Family Names New York: Harper & Row, 1956. Print
  3. Reaney, P.H and R.M. Wilson, A Dictionary of English Surnames. London: Routledge, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-415-05737-X)
  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)
  5. South Australian Register Tuesday 3 February 1852. (Retrieved 2010, November 5) SIBELLA 1852. Retrieved http://www.theshipslist.com/ships/australia/sibella1852.shtml
  6. Titanic Passenger List - Titanic Facts. (Retrieved 2016, July 13) . Retrieved from http://www.titanicfacts.net/titanic-passenger-list.html


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