While no one knows for sure where the first Thurston to reach our shores came from or who Daniel's parents might have been, there is alot of good general information on the Thurston surname.
Some suggested origins of the Thurston Surname are scandinavian, saxon, or danish names. The first part Thur or Thurs is probably a reference to the Norse God of Thunder Thor. The second part could be either ton which means place, ston which is short for stone or Tan short for Thane which was an early title for a lord or kingsman. Either way the name derives from the Norse God and his followers, religious leaders or places of worship and is an old family name in England.
There have been Thurstons in England since atleast 800 AD. Some Thurston's through time include:
- Thuston - a danish monk who lived in the Abbey of Croyland around 800 AD
- Thurston - a thane who lived around 1014 AD and served king Canute.
- Thurston - a knight in King Edwards's court in 1048.
- Thurstan - the Abbott of Glastonbury who retired in 1084 to Caen.
- Thurstan - elected 28th Archbishop of York, Secretary and Chaplain to King Henry II in 1100 AD.
- Thurston of Thetford - a master minter under William the Conqueror and to who arms were issued which are still borne by his decendents to this day.
Of the earliest Thurstons over here in the colonies, there are actually quite a few. There is a tradition that there were 3 thurston brothers who came over at the same time. One of these is probably Daniel Thurston who settled in Newbury and who willed all his possessions to his "Kinsman" Daniel Thurston. Among these other Thurstons in the colonies at the same time may be listed the other 2 brothers.
- John Thurston who was in Newbury by 1641.
- Edward Thurston of Newport RI.
- Richard Thurston, in Salem by January 29, 1636/37 when he had 10 acres granted to him. He Married Martha Stanley, daughter of Christopher Stanley and had a son Samuel b 7-11-1652.
- Charles Thurston, in Plymouth by 1643 when he was listed among those able to bear arms.
- John Thurston, in Salem by January 21, 1638/39 when he was granted 20 acres. He is found in the Salem records until 1655 when he probably is the John Thurston on the list of Freemen in Newport RI.
- John Thurston of Wrentham England, aged 30 with his wife Margaret aged 32 who were passengers on the "Mary Anne" bound for New England in May 1637.
- Richard Thurston, Commander of the "John Adventure" of New England who had liscence to go to Maryland with his ship June 9 1651.
- Thomas Thurston who was a quaker aged 34 when he was a passenger on the "Speedwell" (of Mayflower infamy) which landed in Boston on August 27, 1656. He and 3 other passengers upon arrival where put in prison until they could be shipped back to England as to not contaminate the "pure" religion in New England with thier ways.
- Thomas Thurston who resided in Southold Long Island from 1670 to 1692. He was married the Priscilla, daughter of Richard Benjamin.
