There are records of this ancient Norman surname dating back to 1066 A.D., when a family called Osbern lived in Derbyshire. A man called Osbernus was registered as a presbyter in Scotland in 1097, and a Gerard fil Oseberne livied in Huntingdonshire in 1273.

The name Osborne came from the Old Danish word "Asbiorn", meaning "holy bear". It was a very common name in Normandy in the Middle Ages, and many Normans who came to England after the conquest brought the name with them.

At that time, Osbern was also a very common Christian name, and became a popular patronymic surname, meaning "son of Osbern".

Osborne is the family name of the Dukes of Leeds.

The ancient family motto was PAX IN BELLO (latin), meaning "Peace in War".