Thoborne History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
England

The earliest origins of the name Thoborne date back to the time of the Anglo-Saxons. The name is derived from the baptismal name for the son of Thurburn. This ancient personal name was originally derived from the name of the Saxon God of Thunder, Thor. After the Norman Conquest, the Old English naming system gradually dissolved. Old English names became less common and were replaced by popular continental European names. The earliest surnames in England were found shortly after the Norman Conquest and are of Norman French rather than native English origins.

Early Origins of the Thoborne family

The surname Thoborne was first found in Norfolk where Thomas filius Thurbernus (Turberni) was listed 1153-1186. A few years later, Richard Turbern was listed in the Feet of Fines in 1198 and later, Richard Thurubern was listed at Ely in Norfolk in 1277. The name may have been listed in the Domesday Book as Thurbernus, Turbern and Torbern, 1 but it from the Norfolk branch that seems the most prevalent in these early years. Spellings widely varied as we found: Thurbarnus filius Ailiue in the Feet of Fines for Suffolk in 1197; Richard Turbern in the Feet of Fines for Norfolk in 1198; William Thurbern in the Assize Rolls for Warwickshire in 1221; and Richard Thurubern at Ely, Norfolk in 1277. 1

In Sussex, the name claims descendancy from Thunder (Thor) or Thunder's Hill at Chittingly. Thor was the name of the ancient Saxon God of Thunder.

As to underscore the wide use on the name by the 13th century, the Hundredorum Rolls of 1273 included: William Thorebern, Oxfordshire; Richard Thorbarn, Oxfordshire; Dominus Thurbern, Suffolk; and Nicholas Thurbern, Wiltshire. 2 In Somerset, Philip Thorbarn was listed there 1 Edward III (during the first year of the reign of King Edward III.) 3

Early History of the Thoborne family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Thoborne research. Another 49 words (4 lines of text) covering the years 1197, 1273, 1327, 1607, 1656, 1659 and 1688 are included under the topic Early Thoborne History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Thoborne Spelling Variations

Until quite recently, the English language has lacked a definite system of spelling rules. Consequently, Anglo-Saxon surnames are characterized by a multitude of spelling variations. Changes in Anglo-Saxon names were influenced by the evolution of the English language, as it incorporated elements of French, Latin, and other languages. Although Medieval scribes and church officials recorded names as they sounded, so it is common to find one person referred to by several different spellings of his surname, even the most literate people varied the spelling of their own names. Variations of the name Thoborne include Thorburn, Thurburn, Thurbrand, Torburn and others.

Early Notables of the Thoborne family

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

Migration of the Thoborne family

Searching for a better life, many English families migrated to British colonies. Unfortunately, the majority of them traveled under extremely harsh conditions: overcrowding on the ships caused the majority of the immigrants to arrive diseased, famished, and destitute from the long journey across the ocean. For those families that arrived safely, modest prosperity was attainable, and many went on to make invaluable contributions to the development of the cultures of the new colonies. Research into the origins of individual families in North America revealed records of the immigration of a number of people bearing the name Thoborne or a variant listed above: William Thorburn arrived in Virginia in 1716.

Citations +

Reaney, P.H and R.M. Wilson, A Dictionary of English Surnames. London: Routledge, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-415-05737-X)
Bardsley, C.W, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames: With Special American Instances. Wiltshire: Heraldry Today, 1901. Print. (ISBN 0-900455-44-6)
Dickinson, F.H., Kirby's Quest for Somerset of 16th of Edward the 3rd London: Harrison and Sons, Printers in Ordinary to Her Majesty, St, Martin's Lane, 1889. Print.