| ![Show Contents]() Thorburns History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms
- Origins Available:
England
Scotland
Etymology of ThorburnsWhat does the name Thorburns mean? The surname Thorburns is a Scottish name derived from the Old English personal name Thurbrand. 1 Early Origins of the Thorburns familyThe surname Thorburns was first found in Aberdeen where Richardus Torbrand was listed as Provost of Aberdeen in 1330. The next record of the name appeared over 100 years later when Thomas Thurbrande was a notary public in the diocese of Glasgow in 1456 and the same document lists Thomas Thurbrandson who was also a notary public and may very well have been his son. John Thorburn was fined in 1478 for cutting green wood in the Forest of Selkirk. 1 Early History of the Thorburns familyThis web page shows only a small excerpt of our Thorburns research. Another 318 words (23 lines of text) covering the years 1322, 1323, 1505, 1533, 1544, 1563, 1567, 1605, 1615, 1624, 1627, 1643, 1655, 1664, 1670, 1675, 1679, 1715, 1743, 1773, 1792, 1793, 1794, 1796, 1797, 1798, 1800, 1801, 1805, 1808, 1818, 1823, 1830, 1846, 1853, 1855, 1863, 1885 and 1897 are included under the topic Early Thorburns History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible. Thorburns Spelling VariationsThe first dictionaries that appeared in the last few hundred years did much to standardize the English language. Before that time, spelling variations in names were a common occurrence. The language was changing, incorporating pieces of other languages, and the spelling of names changed with it. Thorburns has been spelled many different ways, including Thorburn, Thurburn, Thurbrand, Torburn and others. Early Notables of the Thorburns familyNew York Publicist Grant Thurburn (1773-1863) who was born in Dalkeith, Midlothian. "He became a nail-maker, and worked for several years at Dalkeith. In 1792 he joined the ‘Friends of the People,’ and in the winter of 1793, along with seventeen others, was examined in Edinburgh as ‘a suspicious person,’ but dismissed. In 1794 he emigrated to New York, where at first he worked at his trade. In 1796 he and his brother, having between them a little money, and getting credit for something more, started a hardware business, which presently became Thorburn's sole concern. Owing to the introduction of machinery...
Another 208 words (15 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Thorburns Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible. Migration of the Thorburns familyThousands of English families in this era began to emigrate the New World in search of land and freedom from religious and political persecution. Although the passage was expensive and the ships were dark, crowded, and unsafe, those who made the voyage safely were rewarded with opportunities unavailable to them in their homeland. Research into passenger and immigration lists has revealed some of the very first Thorburnss to arrive in North America: William Thorburn arrived in Virginia in 1716; Andrew Torburn arrived in New York City with his mother Margaret in 1774; Sir Robert Thorburn, K.C.M.G. from Juniper Bank, Peeblesshire, came to St. John'.
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: Certo dirigpo ictu
- 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)
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