Show ContentsDiable History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Etymology of Diable

What does the name Diable mean?

The story of the Diable family begins in ancient Scotland among the Pictish clans. The Diable family lived on the lands of Dipple in Morayshire where the name can be found since very early times. 1 The name means dweller by the hollow and is originally derived from the personal name Theobald. 2

Early Origins of the Diable family

The surname Diable was first found in Moray, where the first record was that of Walter de Duppul had a yearly pension of 3 marks from the bishop of Moray in 1328. Rev. John Scott (d. 1738), minister of Dippie, emigrated to the American colonies, became minister of Overwharton parish, Stafford county, Virginia, and called his estate there Dipple.

In England, the name also became Tipple and "interchanges between D and T were very common." 2

Early rolls in England show Ralph Dibald in Yorkshire; and William Dibel in London as listed in the Hundredorum Rolls of 1273. 2

Early History of the Diable family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Diable research. Another 167 words (12 lines of text) covering the years 1328, 1332, 1464, 1476, 1664, 1730, 1761, 1788 and 1793 are included under the topic Early Diable History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Diable Spelling Variations

Translation has done much to alter the appearance of many Scottish names. It was a haphazard process that lacked a basic system of rules. Spelling variations were a common result of this process. Diable has appeared Dibble, Dipple, Diball, Dybell, Dyball, Dippel, Diable, Dibel, Dible, Tipple, Tippell, Tibble, Dibbs, Dibben, Dibbens and many more.

Early Notables of the Diable family

More information is included under the topic Early Diable Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Diable family

Many Scots left their country to travel to the North American colonies in search of the freedom they could not find at home. Of those who survived the difficult voyage, many found the freedom they so desired. There they could choose their own beliefs and allegiances. Some became United Empire Loyalists and others fought in the American War of Independence. The Clan societies and highland games that have sprung up in the last century have allowed many of these disparate Scots to recover their collective national identity. A search of immigration and passenger ship lists revealed many early settlers bearing the Diable name: Francis Dibble who settled in Massachusetts in 1635; Nathanial Dibble settled in Virginia in 1654; Thomas Dibble settled in Massachusetts in 1635; Francis Dible settled in Massachusetts 1635.



  1. Lower, Mark Anthony, Patronymica Britannica, A Dictionary of Family Names of the United Kingdom. London: John Russel Smith, 1860. Print.
  2. Bardsley, C.W, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames: With Special American Instances. Wiltshire: Heraldry Today, 1901. Print. (ISBN 0-900455-44-6)


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