Sebree History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
England

The name Sebree is an old Anglo-Saxon name. It comes from when a family lived in Sebright in the county of Essex which was later known as Great Seabright in Great Beddow in Essex. This surname is also of patronymic origin in that it was originally derived from the baptismal name Seabert, taken from the Old English personal name Saebeorht.

Sebert, Saberet or Saba (died 616?) was the first Christian king of the East-Saxons, son of Sledda, king of the East-Saxons. Sebert is said to have founded Westminster Abbey, but this is a late legend. "In 1308 a tomb, said to be that of Sebert, was opened in Westminster Abbey for the purpose of translating the relics, and the right hand and forearm of the body were found undecayed." 1

Early Origins of the Sebree family

The surname Sebree was first found in Essex where "William Sebright of Sebright, in Much Beddow, living in the reign of Henry II is the ancestor of this ancient family who removed into this county (Worcestershire) at a very early period." 2

Early History of the Sebree family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Sebree research. Another 73 words (5 lines of text) covering the years 1585, 1645, 1658, 1668, 1679, 1692, 1702, 1706, 1729, 1736, 1764 and 1796 are included under the topic Early Sebree History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Sebree Spelling Variations

Before the last few hundred years, the English language had no fast system of spelling rules. For that reason, spelling variations are commonly found in early Anglo-Saxon surnames. Over the years, many variations of the name Sebree were recorded, including Seabright, Sebright, Seabricks, Sebricks and others.

Early Notables of the Sebree family

Notables of the family at this time include Sir Edward Sebright, 1st Baronet (c. 1585-c. 1658) of Besford in the County of Worcester, High Sheriff of Worcestershire; Sir Edward Sebright, 2nd Baronet (c. 1645-1679); Sir Edward Sebright, 3rd Baronet (1668-1702)...
Another 40 words (3 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Sebree Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Sebree family

To escape oppression and starvation at that time, many English families left for the "open frontiers" of the New World with all its perceived opportunities. In droves people migrated to the many British colonies, those in North America in particular, paying high rates for passages in cramped, unsafe ships. Although many of the settlers did not make the long passage alive, those who did see the shores of North America perceived great opportunities before them. Many of the families that came from England went on to make essential contributions to the emerging nations of Canada and the United States. Research into various historical records revealed some of first members of the Sebree family emigrate to North America: Joseph Seabright who arrived in Maryland in 1774.

Contemporary Notables of the name Sebree (post 1700) +

Major-General Edmund Bower Sebree (1898-1966), American Deputy Commanding General 1st Army (1953-1954) 3
Nellie B. Sebree, American Democratic Party politician, Alternate Delegate to Democratic National Convention from Nebraska, 1924 4
John Sebree, American Republican politician, Alternate Delegate to Republican National Convention from Florida, 2008 4
James W. Sebree, American politician, Member of Missouri State Senate 8th District, 1887-94 4
Frank Sebree, American Democratic Party politician, Alternate Delegate to Democratic National Convention from Kentucky, 1908 4
Elijah G. Sebree, American Republican politician, Candidate for U.S. Representative from Kentucky 2nd District, 1894; Delegate to Republican National Convention from Kentucky, 1904 4

Citations +

Smith, George (ed), Dictionary of National Biography. London: Smith, Elder & Co., 1885-1900. Print
Shirley, Evelyn Philip, The Noble and Gentle Men of England; The Arms and Descents. Westminster: John Bower Nichols and Sons, 1866, Print.
Generals of World War II. (Retrieved 2014, March 26) Edmund Sebree. Retrieved from http://generals.dk/general/Sebree/Edmund_Bower/USA.html
The Political Graveyard: Alphabetical Name Index. (Retrieved 2016, January 14) . Retrieved from http://politicalgraveyard.com/alpha/index.html