Show ContentsDolbin History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Dolbin is a name that came to England in the 11th century wave of migration that was set off by the Norman Conquest of 1066. The Dolbin family lived in Yortkshire. The name derives, however, from the family's former place of residence, Auby, Normandy, where they would have been referred to as D'Auby, meaning from Auby. 1

Alternatively the name could have been a local name meaning "farmstead or village in a valley," 2 and this may explain the multiple parishes so called. The Yorkshire and Leicestershire parishes date back to the Domesday Book of 1086 when they were each spelt "Dalbi." 3

Early Origins of the Dolbin family

The surname Dolbin was first found in the North Riding of Yorkshire at Dalby, a parish, in the union of Easingwould, wapentake of Bulmer. 4 Dalby is also a parish in Lincolnshire, and Dalby Magna is found in Leicestershire. Dalby on the Woods or Old Dalby is also found in Leicestershire.

The earliest records of the family were found in the Yorkshire Poll Tax Rolls of 1379: Willelmus de Dalby, osteler; and Matilda Dalby. 5

Early History of the Dolbin family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Dolbin research. Another 108 words (8 lines of text) covering the years 1220, 1379, 1421, 1435, 1455, 1581, 1588, 1589, 1616, 1625, 1627, 1631, 1633, 1662, 1672, 1683, 1686, 1694, 1707, 1710, 1821, 1832, 1837 and 1870 are included under the topic Early Dolbin History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Dolbin Spelling Variations

The English language only became standardized in the last few centuries. For that reason, spelling variations are common among many Anglo-Norman names. The shape of the English language was frequently changed with the introduction of elements of Norman French, Latin, and other European languages; even the spelling of literate people's names were subsequently modified. Dolbin has been recorded under many different variations, including Dalby, Dalbie, Daylby, Dailby, D'Alby, D'Aubly and many more.

Early Notables of the Dolbin family

Outstanding amongst the family at this time was Richard Dalby (died before 1455), an English politician, Member of the Parliament of England for Gloucester from 1421 to 1435; Robert Dalby (died 1589), an English Catholic priest and martyr; Edward Dalby (ca.1616-1672), a Recorder of Reading, Berkshire; William Dolben (c. 1588-1631), a Welsh clergyman from Pembrokeshire; his son, Sir William Dolben KS KC (c.1627-1694), an English judge who...
Another 66 words (5 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Dolbin Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.


United States Dolbin migration to the United States +

To escape the uncertainty of the political and religious uncertainty found in England, many English families boarded ships at great expense to sail for the colonies held by Britain. The passages were expensive, though, and the boats were unsafe, overcrowded, and ridden with disease. Those who were hardy and lucky enough to make the passage intact were rewarded with land, opportunity, and social environment less prone to religious and political persecution. Many of these families went on to be important contributors to the young nations of Canada and the United States where they settled. Dolbins were some of the first of the immigrants to arrive in North America:

Dolbin Settlers in United States in the 17th Century
  • Kath Dolbin, who arrived in Virginia in 1663 6
Dolbin Settlers in United States in the 19th Century
  • John Dolbin, who arrived in San Francisco, California in 1865 6


The Dolbin 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: In Deo spero
Motto Translation: I hope in God.


  1. The Norman People and Their Existing Descendants in the British Dominions and the United States Of America. Baltimore: Genealogical Publishing, 1975. Print. (ISBN 0-8063-0636-X)
  2. Mills, A.D., Dictionary of English Place-Names. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-19-869156-4)
  3. Williams, Dr Ann. And G.H. Martin, Eds., Domesday Book A Complete Translation. London: Penguin, 1992. Print. (ISBN 0-141-00523-8)
  4. Lewis, Samuel, A Topographical Dictionary of England. Institute of Historical Research, 1848, Print.
  5. Bardsley, C.W, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames: With Special American Instances. Wiltshire: Heraldry Today, 1901. Print. (ISBN 0-900455-44-6)
  6. 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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