The origins of this name are found in the land of the same name in the parish of Innerleithen in Peeblesshire. The earliest of the name on record (during the reign of Alexander II) is that of Symon de Horsbroc who witnessed a charter by William Purveys of Mospennoc to the monks of Melrose.
William de Horsebroch is recorded in 1283, and probably the same William who was a notary public in 1287, the diocese of Glasgow.
In 1297 Simon de Horsbrok was in the foreign service of Edward I and had his lands restored in the same year. Alexander Horsbruik of that Ilk is recorded in 1479, and another Alexander Horsbruik was served heir to John Horsbruik, his father, in the lands and mill of Horsbruik (1550). Lady Horsburgh of Horsburgh was the last Horsburgh to hold the barony, which, upon her marriage, passed into the Chinnery family.
Around Edinburgh and the Borders, the name is not uncommon.