Show ContentsBin History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

The Anglo-Saxon name Bin comes from the family having resided in the village and parish of Binns near Great Smeaton in Yorkshire. In medieval times, the name literally meant hollows, and indicated that the bearer lived near a hollow.

Early Origins of the Bin family

The surname Bin was first found in Yorkshire, where they held a family seat from ancient times, long before the Norman Conquest in 1066 A.D.

Early History of the Bin family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Bin research. Another 63 words (4 lines of text) covering the year 1500 is included under the topic Early Bin History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Bin Spelling Variations

Bin has been spelled many different ways. Before English spelling became standardized over the last few hundred years, spelling variations in names were a common occurrence. As the English language changed in the Middle Ages, absorbing pieces of Latin and French, as well as other languages, the spelling of people's names also changed considerably, even over a single lifetime. Spelling variants included: Binns, Bins, Binnes, Binn and others.

Early Notables of the Bin family

Notables of this surname at this time include:

  • Binns of Worcestershire

Ireland Migration of the Bin family to Ireland

Some of the Bin family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt. More information about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.


United States Bin migration to the United States +

In an attempt to escape the chaos experienced in England, many English families boarded overcrowded and diseased ships sailing for the shores of North America and other British colonies. Those families hardy enough, and lucky enough, to make the passage intact were rewarded with land and a social environment less prone to religious and political persecution. Many of these families became important contributors to the young colonies in which they settled. Early immigration and passenger lists have documented some of the first Bins to arrive on North American shores:

Bin Settlers in United States in the 18th Century
  • Andreas Bin, who arrived in Pennsylvania in 1738 1
  • Jacob Bin, who landed in Pennsylvania in 1738 1


The Bin Motto +

The motto was originally a war cry or slogan. Mottoes first began to be shown with arms in the 14th and 15th centuries, but were not in general use until the 17th century. Thus the oldest coats of arms generally do not include a motto. Mottoes seldom form part of the grant of arms: Under most heraldic authorities, a motto is an optional component of the coat of arms, and can be added to or changed at will; many families have chosen not to display a motto.

Motto: Labore et diligentia
Motto Translation: With labor and diligence.


  1. Filby, P. William, Meyer, Mary K., Passenger and immigration lists index : a guide to published arrival records of about 500,000 passengers who came to the United States and Canada in the seventeenth, eighteenth, and nineteenth centuries. 1982-1985 Cumulated Supplements in Four Volumes Detroit, Mich. : Gale Research Co., 1985, Print (ISBN 0-8103-1795-8)


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