Show ContentsTalbot History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

The Norman Conquest of England of 1066 added many new elements to the already vibrant culture. Among these were thousands of new names. The Talbot name is derived from the Germanic personal name Talabert, meaning bright valley. 1

Early Origins of the Talbot family

The surname Talbot 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 Talbot family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Talbot 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 Talbot History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Talbot Spelling Variations

Anglo-Norman names are characterized by a multitude of spelling variations. When the Normans became the ruling people of England in the 11th century, they introduced a new language into a society where the main languages of Old and later Middle English had no definite spelling rules. These languages were more often spoken than written, so they blended freely with one another. Contributing to this mixing of tongues was the fact that medieval scribes spelled words according to sound, ensuring that a person's name would appear differently in nearly every document in which it was recorded. The name has been spelled Talbot, Talbott, Talbut, Talbart, Talbert and many more.

Early Notables of the Talbot 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 Lancastr...
  • 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 Barone...
  • Sir John Talbot (1630-1714), an English soldier, politician, and landowner of Lacock Abbey, Wiltshire, Long Acre, Westminster, and Salwarpe, Worcestershire
  • Francis Talbot, 11th Earl of Shrewsbury, 11th Earl of Waterford (1623-1667), an English peer

Talbot World Ranking

In the United States, the name Talbot is the 1,863rd most popular surname with an estimated 17,409 people with that name. 8 However, in Canada, the name Talbot is ranked the 508th most popular surname with an estimated 9,623 people with that name. 9 And in Quebec, Canada, the name Talbot is the 317th popular surname. 10 France ranks Talbot as 1,467th with 3,969 people. 11 Australia ranks Talbot as 588th with 6,615 people. 12 New Zealand ranks Talbot as 806th with 907 people. 13 The United Kingdom ranks Talbot as 499th with 12,914 people. 14

Migration of the Talbot family to Ireland

Some of the Talbot 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.


Talbot migration to the United States +

For many English families, the political and religious disarray that plagued their homeland made the frontiers of the New World an attractive prospect. Thousands migrated, aboard cramped disease-ridden ships. They arrived sick, poor, and hungry, but were welcomed in many cases with far greater opportunity than at home in England. Many of these hardy settlers went on to make important contributions to the emerging nations in which they landed. Among early immigrants bearing the name Talbot or a variant listed above were:

Talbot Settlers in United States in the 17th Century
  • William Talbot, who landed in America in 1620 15
  • Mr. Thomas Talbot, aged  20, from England who arrived in Virginia aboard the ship "America" arriving in June 1635 16
  • Wm Talbot, aged 14, who arrived in Virginia in 1635 aboard the ship " Globe" 17
  • Mr. Geo. Talbot, aged 18, who arrived in Virginia in 1635 aboard the ship "Plain Joan" 17
  • Mr. Jo Talbot, aged 27, who arrived in Virginia in 1635 aboard the ship "Speedwell" 17
  • ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)
Talbot Settlers in United States in the 18th Century
  • Benedict Talbot, who arrived in Virginia in 1703 15
Talbot Settlers in United States in the 19th Century
  • Samuel W Talbot, aged 15, who landed in New York in 1812 15
  • Thomas Talbot, aged 18, who arrived in New York in 1818 15
  • Ellen Talbot, aged 25, who landed in America in 1821 15
  • Matthew Talbot, who landed in Texas in 1835 15
  • Hermensgildo Talbot, who landed in Mississippi in 1845 15
  • ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Talbot migration to Canada +

Some of the first settlers of this family name were:

Talbot Settlers in Canada in the 17th Century
  • George Talbot, who settled in Trinity, Newfoundland, in 1675 18
  • Jean-Jacques Talbot, who settled in Quebec in 1698 from Normandy
  • Jean-Jacques Talbot, son of Nicolas and Marie, who married Marie-Charlotte Sommereux, daughter of Noel and Jeanne, in Rivières-des-Prairies, Quebec in 1698 19
Talbot Settlers in Canada in the 18th Century
  • Jean-Jacques Talbot, son of Nicolas and Marie, who married Catherine Lamarre, daughter of Pierre and Mare-Louise, in Saint-Thomas, Quebec on 28th April 1710 19
  • John Talbot, who settled in St. Pierre, Newfoundland in 1714 18
  • Jacques Talbot, son of Jean-Jacques and Marie-Charlotte, who married Marguerite Meunier, daughter of François and Angélique, in Sainte-Anne-de-Beaupré, Quebec on 1st July 1726 19
  • Simon Talbot, son of Jean-Jacques and Marie-Charlotte, who married Thérèse Alaire, daughter of Charles and Marie, in Saint-Vallier, Quebec on 27th July 1734 19
  • Joseph Talbot, son of Jean-Jacques and Catherine, who married Marie-Madeleine Nolin, daughter of Gabriel and Marie-Madeleine, in Saint-Pierre-de-l'île-d'Orléans, Quebec on 19th October 1735 19
  • ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)
Talbot Settlers in Canada in the 19th Century
  • Miss. Mary Talbot, aged 2 who was emigrating through Grosse Isle Quarantine Station, Quebec aboard the ship "Saguenay" departing 5th June 1847 from Cork, Ireland; the ship arrived on 22nd August 1847 but she died on board 20

Talbot migration to Australia +

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

Talbot Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century
  • Ann Talbot, British convict from Britain, who was transported aboard the "Alexander" on November 4, 1815, settling in New South Wales, Australia 21
  • Thomas Talbot, English convict from Bucks, who was transported aboard the "Adamant" on March 16, 1821, settling in New South Wales, Australia 22
  • Mr. William Talbot, (b. 1798), aged 24, Irish groom who was convicted in Kidare, Ireland for 7 years, transported aboard the "Countess of Harcourt" on 3rd September 1822, arriving in New South Wales, Australia 23
  • Mr. William Talbot who was convicted in Derby, Derbyshire, England for 7 years, transported aboard the "Camden" on 21st March 1831, arriving in New South Wales, Australia 24
  • Frederick Talbot, English convict from Middlesex, who was transported aboard the "Andromeda" on November 13, 1832, settling in New South Wales, Australia 25
  • ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Talbot migration to New Zealand +

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:

Talbot Settlers in New Zealand in the 19th Century
  • Mr. R. G. Talbot, Australian settler travelling from Port Phillip Bay, Victoria aboard the ship "Earl Stanhope" arriving in Wellington, New Zealand in 1840 26
  • R G Talbot, who landed in Wellington, New Zealand in 1840 aboard the ship Earl Stanhope
  • Mr. John Talbot, (b. 1815), aged 47, English farm labourer from Devonshire travelling from London aboard the ship "Zealandia" arriving in Lyttelton, Christchurch, South Island, New Zealand on 23rd May 1862 27
  • Mrs. Sarah Talbot, (b. 1817), aged 45, English settler from Devonshire travelling from London aboard the ship "Zealandia" arriving in Lyttelton, Christchurch, South Island, New Zealand on 23rd May 1862 27
  • Mr. John Talbot, (b. 1846), aged 16, English labourer from Devonshire travelling from London aboard the ship "Zealandia" arriving in Lyttelton, Christchurch, South Island, New Zealand on 23rd May 1862 27
  • ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Contemporary Notables of the name Talbot (post 1700) +

  • Second Lieutenant Ralph Talbot (1897-1918), the first United States Marine Corps aviator to receive the Medal of Honor
  • David Talbot (b. 1951), American progressive journalist, bestselling author and media entrepreneur
  • Arthur Newell Talbot (1857-1942), American civil engineer considered to be a pioneer in the field of reinforced concrete
  • Catherine M. Talbot, American Democratic Party politician, Delegate to Democratic National Convention from California, 2000 28
  • Carmen Talbot, American Republican politician, Alternate Delegate to Republican National Convention from Michigan, 1988 28
  • Carlton A. Talbot, American politician, Candidate for Michigan State Senate 13th District, 1916 28
  • C. Westley Talbot, American politician, Burgess of West Chester, Pennsylvania, 1897-99 28
  • Bailey M. Talbot, American politician, Mayor of Troy, Alabama, 1906-07 28
  • Aubert Talbot, American Democratic Party politician, Alternate Delegate to Democratic National Convention from Louisiana, 1944 28
  • Adolphus Robert Talbot (b. 1859), American Republican politician, Member of Nebraska State Senate, 1887-90 28
  • ... (Another 58 notables are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

HMS Prince of Wales
  • Mr. T. Talbot, British Ordinary Seaman, who sailed into battle on the HMS Prince of Wales (1941) and survived the sinking 29
HMS Royal Oak
  • Frederick George Talbot (d. 1939), British Stoker 2nd Class with the Royal Navy aboard the HMS Royal Oak (1939) when she was torpedoed by U-47 and sunk; he died in the sinking 30
RMS Titanic
  • Mr. George Frederick Charles. Talbot (d. 1912), aged 27, English Steward from Southampton, Hampshire who worked aboard the RMS Titanic and died in the sinking and was recovered by CS Mackay-Bennett 31


The Talbot 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 Talbot +

  • Some Southern Talberts by Eugene Talbert Aldridge.
  • New England Colonial Families by Helen H. Lane.

  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. "Surnames Meanings, Origins & Distribution Maps - Forebears." Forebears, https://forebears.io/surnames
  10. "The first 1,000 family names by rank, Quebec (in French only)" Institut de la statistique du Quebec, https://statistique.quebec.ca/en/document/family-names-in-quebec/tableau/the-first-1000-family-names-by-rank-quebec
  11. http://www.journaldesfemmes.com/nom-de-famille/nom/
  12. "Most Common Last Names in Australia." Forebears, https://forebears.io/australia/surnames
  13. "Most Common Last Names in New Zealand." Forebears, https://forebears.io/new-zealand/surnames
  14. "UK surname ranking." UK Surname map, https://www.surnamemap.eu/unitedkingdom/surnames_ranking.php?p=10
  15. 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)
  16. Pilgrim Ship's of 1600's. Retrieved January 6th 2023 from https://www.packrat-pro.com/ships/shiplist.htm
  17. Pilgrim Ship's of 1600's Retrieved January 6th 2023, retrieved from https://www.packrat-pro.com/ships/shiplist.htm
  18. Seary E.R., Family Names of the Island of Newfoundland, Montreal: McGill's-Queen's Universtity Press 1998 ISBN 0-7735-1782-0
  19. Internoscia, Arthur E., and Claire Chevrier. Dictionnaire National des Canadiens Français 1608-1760. Vol. 2, Institut Drouin, 1958.
  20. Charbonneau, André, and Doris Drolet-Dubé. A Register of Deceased Persons at Sea and on Grosse Île in 1847. The Minister of Canadian Heritage, 1997. ISBN: 0-660-198/1-1997E (p. 97)
  21. State Library of Queensland. (Retrieved 2016, October 27) Alexander voyage to New South Wales, Australia in 1815 with 12 passengers. Retrieved from Alexander voyage to New South Wales, Australia in 1815 with 12 passengers
  22. State Library of Queensland. (Retrieved 2016, October 27) Adamant voyage to New South Wales, Australia in 1821 with 144 passengers. Retrieved from http://www.convictrecords.com.au/ships/adamant/1821
  23. Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 24th March 2021). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/countess-of-harcourt
  24. Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 2nd December 2020). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/camden
  25. State Library of Queensland. (Retrieved 2014, November 27) Andromeda voyage to New South Wales, Australia in 1832 with 186 passengers. Retrieved from http://www.convictrecords.com.au/ships/andromeda/1832
  26. New Zealand Yesteryears Passenger Lists 1800 to 1900 (Retrieved 17th October 2018). Retrieved from http://www.yesteryears.co.nz/shipping/passlist.html
  27. New Zealand Yesteryears Passenger Lists 1800 to 1900 (Retrieved 26th March 2019). Retrieved from http://www.yesteryears.co.nz/shipping/passlist.html
  28. The Political Graveyard: Alphabetical Name Index. (Retrieved 2015, October 20) . Retrieved from http://politicalgraveyard.com/alpha/index.html
  29. HMS Prince of Wales Crew members. (Retrieved 2014, April 9) . Retrieved from http://www.forcez-survivors.org.uk/biographies/listprincecrew.html
  30. Ships hit by U-boats crew list HMS Royal Oak (08) - (Retrieved 2018 February, 9th) - retrieved from https://uboat.net/allies/merchants/crews/ship68.html
  31. Titanic Passenger List - Titanic Facts. (Retrieved 2016, July 13) . Retrieved from http://www.titanicfacts.net/titanic-passenger-list.html


Houseofnames.com on Facebook