Show ContentsTalbert History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Etymology of Talbert

What does the name Talbert mean?

Talbert is an ancient name whose history on English soil dates back to the wave of emigration that followed the Norman Conquest of England in 1066. The name comes from the Germanic personal name Talabert, meaning bright valley. 1

Early Origins of the Talbert family

The surname Talbert was first found in Shropshire, Staffordshire and Yorkshire. "This great historical family is traced to the Conquest, Richard Talbot, living at that period, being the first recorded ancestor. " 2 In Normandy, their place of origin, the name was originally listed as D'Eu, a baronial name. 3

William Talebot "came to England in 1066, and had 1. Richard; 2. Geoffrey, ancestor of Lord Talbot of Malahide. Richard Talebot in 1086 held in Bedford from Walter Giffard, Baron of Boldec. " 3 4

"No family in England are more connected with the history of our country than this noble race; few are more highly allied. The Marches of Wales appear to have been the original seat; afterwards we find the Talbots in Shropshire, in Staffordshire, and lastly in Yorkshire." 2 5

The chapelry of Salebury played an important part in the story of the family history. "In the reign of Edward II. a charter for free warren in this manor was granted to Sir Robert de Cliderhou, whose daughter occurs as owner of the manor in 1406. Isabella, her daughter, conveyed the manor in marriage to John Talbot, of Bashall. Their son was instrumental to the betrayal of Henry VI., whose apprehension is said to have occurred here, though Leland fixes the scene in Cletherwoode. However this may be, letters-patent were granted to him by Edward IV. for a pension of twenty marks out of the duchy revenues. In this odious service, Sir James Haryngton was the principal actor, and the Talbots his subordinate agents.

John Talbot, the last male heir of the family, left a daughter, married to Edward Warren of Poynton, from whose family the manor passed by marriage: it now belongs to Lord de Tabley. " 6

Another branch of the family was found at Alveton in Staffordshire. "The extensive manor of Alton became the property of John Talbot, first earl of Shrewsbury, by his marriage with the heiress of the Furnival family, and has remained with his descendants to the present time." 6 The township of Bashall-Eaves in the West Riding of Yorkshire was home to another family seat. "This place, long distinguished as the residence of the Talbots, has been variously designated Beckshalgh, Batsalve, Bakesholf, and Bashall. " 6

"The Talbots are now chiefly established in Somerset, Dorset, Lancashire, and Notts. The ancient and illustrious family of the Talbots, dating back to Domesday times, were originally settled in the Welsh Marches, and afterwards in Shropshire and Staffordshire, and then in Yorkshire." 7

Early History of the Talbert family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Talbert research. Another 211 words (15 lines of text) covering the years 1172, 1274, 1384, 1417, 1453, 1456, 1457, 1458, 1460, 1620, 1623, 1630, 1633, 1642, 1659, 1660, 1667, 1668, 1669, 1680, 1691, 1702, 1710, 1714, 1715 and 1718 are included under the topic Early Talbert History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Talbert 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 Talbot, Talbott, Talbut, Talbart, Talbert and many more.

Early Notables of the Talbert family

Outstanding amongst the family at this time was William Talbot at the Battle of Hastings; John Talbot, 1st Earl of Shrewsbury and 1st Earl of Waterford KG (1384-1453), known as "Old Talbot", an important English military commander during the Hundred Years' War, as well as the only Lancastrian Constable of France; John Talbot, 2nd Earl of Shrewsbury, 2nd Earl of Waterford, 8th Baron Talbot, KG (c. 1417-1460), an English nobleman and soldier, son of John Talbot, 1st Earl of Shrewsbury and Maud Nevill, 6th...
Another 84 words (6 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Talbert Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Talbert Ranking

In the United States, the name Talbert is the 2,688th most popular surname with an estimated 12,435 people with that name. 8

Migration of the Talbert family to Ireland

Some of the Talbert family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt.
Another 170 words (12 lines of text) about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.


Talbert migration to the United States +

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 Talbert or a variant listed above:

Talbert Settlers in United States in the 18th Century
  • John Talbert, who landed in Virginia in 1712 9
Talbert Settlers in United States in the 19th Century
  • Louise Talbert, aged 30, who landed in America, in 1893
Talbert Settlers in United States in the 20th Century
  • Charles H. Talbert, aged 34, who settled in America, in 1906
  • Heinrich Talbert, aged 58, who immigrated to the United States, in 1911
  • Joseph Talbert, aged 16, who immigrated to the United States, in 1913
  • Frank Talbert, who landed in America, in 1922
  • Alexander Talbert, aged 33, who landed in America from Dalmuir, Scotland, in 1923
  • ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Talbert migration to Canada +

Some of the first settlers of this family name were:

Talbert Settlers in Canada in the 18th Century
  • Mr. Osbourn Talbert U.E. who settled in Parr Town [Saint John], New Brunswick c. 1784 10

Contemporary Notables of the name Talbert (post 1700) +

  • Melvin G. Talbert (1934-2023), American bishop in The United Methodist Church (UMC)
  • W. Jasper Talbert (1846-1931), American politician from South Carolina; U.S. representative 1893–1903
  • Richard Talbert (b. 1947), British-American historian, classicist, and professor
  • Mary Burnett Talbert (1866-1923), American orator, suffragist and reformer
  • Floyd Talbert (1923-1982), American soldier; one of the subjects of the book and television series Band of Brothers, recipient of the Purple Heart, Bronze Star
  • Florence Cole Talbert (1890-1961), American operatic soprano
  • Don Talbert (b. 1939), American professional NFL football player
  • Diron Talbert (b. 1944), American professional NFL football player
  • David E. Talbert, American playwright
  • Charlie Talbert (b. 1978), American film actor
  • ... (Another 2 notables are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)


The Talbert Motto +

The motto was originally a war cry or slogan. Mottoes first began to be shown with arms in the 14th and 15th centuries, but were not in general use until the 17th century. Thus the oldest coats of arms generally do not include a motto. Mottoes seldom form part of the grant of arms: Under most heraldic authorities, a motto is an optional component of the coat of arms, and can be added to or changed at will; many families have chosen not to display a motto.

Motto: Prest d'accomplir
Motto Translation: Ready to accomplish.


Suggested Readings for the name Talbert +

  • Some Southern Talberts by Eugene Talbert Aldridge.

  1. Harrison, Henry, Surnames of the United Kingdom: A Concise Etymological Dictionary Baltimore: Geneological Publishing Company, 2013. Print
  2. Shirley, Evelyn Philip, The Noble and Gentle Men of England; The Arms and Descents. Westminster: John Bower Nichols and Sons, 1866, Print.
  3. 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)
  4. Williams, Dr Ann. And G.H. Martin, Eds., Domesday Book A Complete Translation. London: Penguin, 1992. Print. (ISBN 0-141-00523-8)
  5. Lower, Mark Anthony, Patronymica Britannica, A Dictionary of Family Names of the United Kingdom. London: John Russel Smith, 1860. Print.
  6. Lewis, Samuel, A Topographical Dictionary of England. Institute of Historical Research, 1848, Print.
  7. Guppy, Henry Brougham, Homes of Family Names in Great Britain. 1890. Print.
  8. "What are the 5,000 Most Common Last Names in the U.S.?". NameCensus.com, https://namecensus.com/last-names/
  9. Filby, P. William, Meyer, Mary K., Passenger and immigration lists index : a guide to published arrival records of about 500,000 passengers who came to the United States and Canada in the seventeenth, eighteenth, and nineteenth centuries. 1982-1985 Cumulated Supplements in Four Volumes Detroit, Mich. : Gale Research Co., 1985, Print (ISBN 0-8103-1795-8)
  10. Rubincam, Milton. The Old United Empire Loyalists List. Genealogical Publishing Co., Inc, 1976. (Originally published as; United Empire Loyalists. The Centennial of the Settlement of Upper Canada. Rose Publishing Company, 1885.) ISBN 0-8063-0331-X


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