Busterd History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
England
Ireland

Etymology of Busterd

What does the name Busterd mean?

Busterd is a name whose history dates far back into the mists of early British times to the days of the Anglo-Saxon tribes. It is a name for a person who had facial features similar to a buzzard or bustard which was a large bird, "now as rare as the eagle in England." 1 The name is derived from the "Old French bistarde, bustarde." 2

Early Origins of the Busterd family

The surname Busterd was first found in the Pipe Rolls where Walter Buistard was listed in 1159 and the singular name Bustard was found in 1162. Later, Robert Boistard was recorded in the Feet of Fines for Yorkshire in 1231. Robert Bustarde was recorded in Whitby, North Yorkshire in 1343. 2

The Yorkshire Poll Tax Rolls of 1379 included entries for Robertus Bustardbank and Johannes Bustard. Both held landsa there at that time. 1

Early History of the Busterd family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Busterd research. Another 51 words (4 lines of text) covering the years 1600 and 1890 are included under the topic Early Busterd History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Busterd Spelling Variations

The English language only became standardized in the last few centuries; therefore,spelling variations are common among early Anglo-Saxon names. As the form of the English language changed, even the spelling of literate people's names evolved. Busterd has been recorded under many different variations, including Bustard, Busteed, Busterd and others.

Early Notables of the Busterd family

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

Migration of the Busterd family to Ireland

Some of the Busterd family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt.
Another 84 words (6 lines of text) about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Busterd family

For many English families, the political and religious disarray that shrouded England made the far away New World an attractive prospect. On cramped disease-ridden ships, thousands migrated to those British colonies that would eventually become Canada and the United States. Those hardy settlers that survived the journey often went on to make important contributions to the emerging nations in which they landed. Analysis of immigration records indicates that some of the first North American immigrants bore the name Busterd or a variant listed above: Andrew Bustered who settled in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in 1880; John Bustard who arrived in Philadelphia in 1874; and the following all arrived in Philadelphia - Adam, Andrew, James, John, Robert, between 1859 and 1880.

Sources +

Bardsley, C.W, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames: With Special American Instances. Wiltshire: Heraldry Today, 1901. Print. (ISBN 0-900455-44-6)
Reaney, P.H and R.M. Wilson, A Dictionary of English Surnames. London: Routledge, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-415-05737-X)