Show ContentsTarrbuk History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Tarrbuk is a name that came to England in the 11th century wave of migration that was set off by the Norman Conquest of 1066. Tarrbuk comes from the ancient Norman given name Terbert.

Early Origins of the Tarrbuk family

The surname Tarrbuk was first found in Lancashire where they held a family seat from very ancient times at Tarbock, after the Norman Conquest in 1066. They were descended from the Baron Richard, brother of Sir Robert Fitzhenry, founder of Burscough Priory. " Henry de Tarbock or Torbock, who was early the lord of Tarbock, Roby, Huyton, Knowsley, and other manors, had two sons. The elder of these, Robert, was sometimes distinguished by the Norman patronymic FitzHenry, which the English rendered Harrison, and sometimes was denominated from his principal residence, de Lathom; while Richard, the other son, inheriting Tarbock, designated himself from that estate." 1

Early History of the Tarrbuk family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Tarrbuk research. Another 130 words (9 lines of text) covering the year 1606 is included under the topic Early Tarrbuk History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Tarrbuk Spelling Variations

Before English spelling was standardized a few hundred years ago, spelling variations of names were a common occurrence. Elements of Latin, Norman French and other languages became incorporated into English throughout the Middle Ages, and name spellings changed even among the literate. The variations of the surname Tarrbuk include Tarbock, Tarbocks, Tarbox, Tirebuck, Torbock, Tarbuck, Tarbux and many more.

Early Notables of the Tarrbuk family

More information is included under the topic Early Tarrbuk Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Tarrbuk family

In England at this time, the uncertainty of the political and religious environment of the time caused many families to board ships for distant British colonies in the hopes of finding land and opportunity, and escaping persecution. The voyages were expensive, crowded, and difficult, though, and many arrived in North America sick, starved, and destitute. Those who did make it, however, were greeted with greater opportunities and freedoms that they could have experienced at home. Many of those families went on to make important contributions to the young nations in which they settled. Early immigration records have shown some of the first Tarrbuks to arrive on North American shores: Mary Tarbuck settled in Maryland in 1745; Richard Tarbutt settled in Virginia in 1663; John Tarbux settled in Lynn, Massachusetts in 1631.



  1. Lewis, Samuel, A Topographical Dictionary of England. Institute of Historical Research, 1848, Print.


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