Surname Sanborn - Meaning and Origin
all surnames with 'S'
Unravelling the Hidden Chapters: My Emotional DNA Journey into the Past with iGENEA
Embarking on a journey into one’s ancestral lineage can be paramount to a voyage of self-discovery. This was precisely the case when I took the iGENEA DNA test, exploring my roots that led to my surname 'Sanborn'. The DNA test fueled curiosity, anxiety, and finally, fulfillment, strengthening my bond to the past.
W. Sanborn
read moreSanborn: What does the surname Sanborn mean?
The surname Sanborn is of Anglo-Saxon origin, derived from the Old English words "sand" and "burna", which mean "sand" and "stream" respectively. Thus, Sanborn can be translated as "sandy stream" or "sandy brook". The name likely referred to a geographic feature, such as a sandy stream or brook, near which the original bearers of the name lived. It is considered a habitation name, which is a type of surname derived from place-names, referring to either the place of origin or where a family owned land. The name Sanborn has been in use since the Middle Ages, and various forms, including Sanburne and Sandbourne, can be found in historical records. Despite its English origins, Sanborn is also a common surname in America, particularly in New England.
Order DNA origin analysisSanborn: Where does the name Sanborn come from?
The last name Sanborn is most commonly found in the United States today. It is most prevalent in the Northeastern states, including New England and Pennsylvania, as well as states such as Iowa, Minnesota, and Wisconsin. There are also pockets of people with the surname in California, Florida, and Texas.
The Sanborn surname has been in use for centuries, likely arriving in the United States from England in the 1600s. This distinguished surname has links to multiple European countries, with a possible Scandinavian presence based on information from the Sanborn DNA Project.
The name appears to originate from a place name in England of dictinctly Saxon origin, where it referred to the town of Sain-bourne -- from the Old English words “sana” (holy) and “burna” (stream).
The Sanborn surname is associated with families who were prominent in their community, owning land or were involved with industry, religion, or government.
There may even be a link to the famous Samuel Sanborn, a notable miller, or Thomas Sanborn who made a fortune as a dry-goods merchant in Philadelphia – both from Massachusetts.
As with many toponymic surnames, those bearing the Sanborn name can trace their lineage back to their local community of origin and may even be able to trace their Sanborn ancestors back many generations.
Variations of the surname Sanborn
Sanborn is a surname of Anglo-Saxon origin. It derives from the Old English personal name Sandb(e)orn, which means "sand-born" or "born of sandy soil". The variants, spellings and surnames of the same origin for the surname Sanborn include Sandborn, Sandborn, Sandbourne, Sandburn, Sandburne, Sandbourn, Sandbron, and Sandbourn.
The earliest known uses of this surname were first found in Dorsetshire, in southwestern England, in the year 1272, when Robert Sandborn was recorded as a tenant in lands to the monks of Glastonbury. After the Norman Conquest in 1066, many families of Norman origin, unfamiliar with the local language, adopted local surnames. In the decades to follow, this trend of "adapting" local surnames to ones native language continued, particularly within the newly formed upper classes.
All variations of this surname are likely to share a common origin. Sanborn was likely a baptismal name for a person who was born in sandy soil. Among the varied spellings, Sandborn is perhaps the most popular in modern times, and most widely used in the United States.
The family name Sanborn can be found in many records throughout the centuries. Early Sanborns were found in the south of England in the counties of Devon, Cornwall, Somerset and Wiltshire. Most Sanborns bear an Irish surname due to the influx of Irish immigration into the United States in the 19th and 20th centuries.
In conclusion, the variations, spellings and surnames of the same origin for the surname Sanborn are Sandborn, Sandborn, Sandbourne, Sandburn, Sandburne, Sandbourn, Sandbron, and Sandbourn. Their original origin stems from the Old English personal name Sandb(e)orn, which means “sand-born” or “born of sandy soil”. These names can be found in areas in England, Ireland, and the United States.
Famous people with the name Sanborn
- Tom Sanborn: American musician, active since the mid-1970s.
- Wendy Sanborn: Canadian author and former mayor of Creston, British Columbia.
- Holly Sanborn: American attorney and former Maine state legislator.
- John Sanborn: American film director and media artist.
- Doug Sanborn: American musician playing primarily guitar-based music.
- Oliver Sanborn: Canadian professional basketball player.
- Guy Sanborn: American bass player, best known for his work with the funk/soul band Tower of Power.
- Charlie Sanborn: former professional ice hockey player with the Boston Bruins, Nottingham Panthers and Fife Flyers.
- Paul Sanborn: American composer and arranger.
- Adam Sanborn: New Hampshire representative to the US House of Representatives in the early 19th century.
- Peter Sanborn: American lawyer and politician from Boston.
- John Sanborn: American actor, writer, musician, and director.
- Henry Sanborn: American professor, artist, and sculptor.
- Gary Sanborn: American television and film actor and musician.
- Jay Sanborn: Emmy-winning television producer and director.
- Susannah Sanborn: American freight forwarding/supply chain logistics executive and philanthropist.
- Sam Sanborn: former Major League Baseball pitcher for the Colorado Rockies and Detroit Tigers.
- Anthony Sanborn: Canadian poet, photographer, and crime writer.
- Willard Sanborn: American physics professor and recipient of the National Medal of Science in 1992.
- Tom Sanborn: American psychologist best known for his work in evolutionary psychology.