Cuzner is a name whose history begins in 1066 with the Norman
Conquest of England. This Norman name was used for a person who was
related to someone of note in the area. Further research showed the
name was derived from the Old French "cusin" and the Old
English "cousin," both meaning "relative." The chronicles of England
from early records the the surname Cuzner was of Norman origin. The
history of this name is interwoven into the colour fabric of the
history of Britain.
Careful research by professional analysts using such ancient
manuscripts as the Doomsday Book (compiled in 1086 by William The
Conquerer), the Ragman Rolls,the Wace poem,The Honor Roll of the
Battel Abbey, The Curia Regis, Pipe Rolls, the Falaise Roll, tax
records,baptismals,family genealogies and local parish and church
records, determined that the name Cuzner was first found in Yorkshire
and in the southern counties of England, where the Cuzner family was
seated after the Norman conquest in 1066.
Many alternate spellings of the name were found. They were typically
linked to a common root, usually one of the Norman nobles of the
Battle of Hastings. Your name, Cuzner, occurred in many references,
and from time to time, the surname included the spellings of
Cousin,Cousins,Cozens,Cossins,Couzins,Cossens,Cosin,Cosyns and many
more. Scribes recorded and spelled the name as it sounded. it was not
unlikely that a person would be born with one spelling, married with
another, and buried with a headstone which showed another. Sometimes
a preferences for different spelling variations were due to a
division of the family , or , had religious or patriotic resons.
The ancestors of the family name Cuzner are believed to be descended
originally from the Norman race. the Normans were commonly believed
to be of French origin but, more accurately of Viking origin. The
Vikings, uner their Jarl, Thorfinn Roll, invaded France in about 911
A.D. After Rollo laid seige to Paris, the French king, Charles the
Simple, finally conceded defeat, granting Northern France to Rollo.
Rollo became the first duke of Normandy, and Duke William, who
invaded and defeated England in 1066. was in fact descended from
Rollo, the first Duke of Normandy.
Duke William took a census of most of England in 1086, and recorded
it in the Doomsday Book. A family name capable of being traced back
to this document or to Hastings, was a mark of honour for most
families during the Middle Ages and event to this day.
The surname Cuzner emerged as a notable English family name in the
country of Essex and other southern counties of England. The family
name Cousins flourished in the centuries following the Conquest of
1066,mainly in the the counties in the south of England as well as
Yorkshire. There are several alternate spellings of the name Cousins
but they are believed to be of common origin. Some examples are:
Cousens,Couzens,Cossins,Cosin and Cosyn. In Middle English cosin
means a close relative or kinsmen. The 'S' at the end of Cousins
signifies "son of." It is recorded that Edmund Cosin was the Vice
Chancellor of Cambridge University around 1558. Of note amongst the
family at the time was Edmund Cosin, Vice chancellor of Cambridge
University.
The surname Cuzner contributed much to local politics and in the
affairs of England and Scotland.During the 12th century many of these
Norman families moved north to Scotland , following Earl David of
Huntingdon who would become the King of Scotland. Later, in the 16th,
17th and 18th centuries, England and Scotland were ravaged by
religious and political conflict. The Monarchy, the Church and
parliament fought for supremacy. the unrest caused many to think of
distant lands.
Settlers in Ireland became known as the "Adventurers for land in
Ireland" They "undertook" to keep the Protestant faith,and were
granted lands previously owned by the Irish. In Ireland, this
distinguished family settled in counties Limerick,Cork , and Wexford,
where the name was spelt Cussen.
The news and rumours of opportunities in the New World spread like
wildfire. Many sailed aboard the fleet of sailing ships known as
the "White Sails".
In North America, immigrants who shared teh family name Cuzner, or
one of its spelling variations included John Cosins who settled in
Maryland in 1683;Richard Cousin settled in Grenada in 1774;Edward
Cousins settled in Maryland in 1774;George Cousins settled in
Massachusetts in 1635; James Cousins settled in Virginia in 1670;Jo
Cousins settled in Georgia in 1735;John Cousins settled in Maine in
1626; and some of the family who settled in Sherborn, Massachusetts
around 1665. Other members of the family name settled in Yarmouth,
Massachusetts. The head of the family was Moses Cousins, who claimed
descent from the great John Cousins, Bishop of Durham,England who was
originally from Norwich. From the port of arrival many settlers
joined the wagon train westward. During the American War of
Independence some declared their loyalty to the Crown, moved
northwest into Canada and became known as the United Empire Loyalists.
In recent history, notable bearers of the Cuzner surname include
Admiral Ralph Wynne Cousins, Us Navy; Norman Cousins American Editor
and Author, Saturday Review-World; Frank Cousins, British union
Offical and Adminstrator; and Philip Cousins, appointed Under
Secretary to Her Majesty's Treasury in 1974,also, Professor David R.
Cousin, Emeritus Professor of Philosophy,University of Sheffield.
The Coat of Arms found for a bearer of the Cuzner surname did not
include a motto. Under most heraldic authorities, a motto is an
optional component of the Coat of Arms, and many families have chosen
to not to display a motto.



ps. I will try to scan the motto and put it on the site if everyone
wants to see what it looks like...Its a yellow bunny rabbit holding
what looks like three red carnations