Show ContentsSaby History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

The earliest origins of the name Saby date back to the time of the Anglo-Saxons. The name is derived from Sabinus and Sabine; these are the masculine and feminine forms of the name, respectively. The personal name is derived from the Sabines, a people who lived in the Appenines northwest of Rome. By the third century BC the Sabines had become fully Romanized. There were three saints named Sabinus and one named Sabine. "In England, the woman's name was much the more common." 1

Another source confirms that the name was "originally Sabinus, a Roman personal name, implying a descent from the Sabine nation. Sabina, its feminine, is still used as a baptismal name." 2

And another source has a slightly different version, "A statue of 'Sabinus, planter of the vines' (the supposed eponymous of the Sabines), was among those remarked by Æneas when he entered the palace of Latinus." 3

Early Origins of the Saby family

The surname Saby was first found in Norfolk where the first record of the name was in the Latin form Sabina (1186-1210) and then later in the Curia Regis Rolls for Kent and Surrey in 1220. Later in Huntingdonshire, Rogerus filius Sabini was registered there in 1252. Richard Sabin was found in the Assize Rolls for Warwickshire in 1221 and John Sabine was recorded in the Hundredorum Rolls for Cheshire in 1279. 1

The same rolls also included Alexander Sabine in Essex. 4

In Somerset, ancient English rolls listed Sabyna Vesy and William Sabin, 1 Edward III (during the first year of King Edward III's reign). 5

Laurence William Savona (fl. 1485), was a Franciscan of London who graduated D.D. at Cambridge, where in 1478 he wrote his 'Margarita Eloquentiae' in three books. 6

Early History of the Saby family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Saby research. Another 121 words (9 lines of text) covering the years 1662, 1689, 1691, 1695, 1704, 1730, 1739, 1758 and 1791 are included under the topic Early Saby History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Saby Spelling Variations

Until quite recently, the English language has lacked a definite system of spelling rules. Consequently, Anglo-Saxon surnames are characterized by a multitude of spelling variations. Changes in Anglo-Saxon names were influenced by the evolution of the English language, as it incorporated elements of French, Latin, and other languages. Although Medieval scribes and church officials recorded names as they sounded, so it is common to find one person referred to by several different spellings of his surname, even the most literate people varied the spelling of their own names. Variations of the name Saby include Sabine, Sabbe, Sabin, Sabyn, Sabben, Saban and many more.

Early Notables of the Saby family

Notables of the family at this time include General Joseph Sabine (c. 1662-1739), British Army officer who came of a family settled at Patricksbourne in Kent; his grandfather, Avery Sabine, was an alderman of Canterbury. Joseph was appointed captain lieutenant to Sir Henry Ingoldsby's regiment of foot on 8 March 1689, captain of the grenadier company before 18 Oct. 1689, major of...
Another 61 words (4 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Saby Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Saby Ranking

In France, the name Saby is the 1,452nd most popular surname with an estimated 3,991 people with that name. 7


Australia Saby migration to Australia +

Emigration to Australia followed the First Fleets of convicts, tradespeople and early settlers. Early immigrants include:

Saby Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century
  • John Saby, who arrived in Adelaide, Australia aboard the ship "Prince George" in 1838 8
  • Sarah Saby, who arrived in Adelaide, Australia aboard the ship "Prince George" in 1838 8
  • Emma Saby, who arrived in Adelaide, Australia aboard the ship "Prince George" in 1838 8
  • Elizabeth Saby, who arrived in Adelaide, Australia aboard the ship "Prince George" in 1838 8


  1. Reaney, P.H and R.M. Wilson, A Dictionary of English Surnames. London: Routledge, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-415-05737-X)
  2. Lower, Mark Anthony, Patronymica Britannica, A Dictionary of Family Names of the United Kingdom. London: John Russel Smith, 1860. Print.
  3. Harrison, Henry, Surnames of the United Kingdom: A Concise Etymological Dictionary Baltimore: Geneological Publishing Company, 2013. Print
  4. Bardsley, C.W, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames: With Special American Instances. Wiltshire: Heraldry Today, 1901. Print. (ISBN 0-900455-44-6)
  5. Dickinson, F.H., Kirby's Quest for Somerset of 16th of Edward the 3rd London: Harrison and Sons, Printers in Ordinary to Her Majesty, St, Martin's Lane, 1889. Print.
  6. Smith, George (ed), Dictionary of National Biography. London: Smith, Elder & Co., 1885-1900. Print
  7. http://www.journaldesfemmes.com/nom-de-famille/nom/
  8. State Records of South Australia. (Retrieved 2010, November 5) PRINCE GEORGE 1838. Retrieved from http://www.slsa.sa.gov.au/BSA/1838PrinceGeorge-London.htm


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