Show ContentsCobel History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

The history of the name Cobel begins with the Anglo-Saxon tribes of Britain. It is derived from the Old English given name "Cobbold" which literally means "famous-bold." 1 2 The name appears in the Domesday Book as Cuboid; a personal name. 3

Early Origins of the Cobel family

The surname Cobel was first found in Northamptonshire, where Aluuinus Cubold is listed in the Domesday Book of 1086 4 1 Later, Ricardus Cubaldus was found in the Pipe Rolls of 1174 in Herefordshire; John Cubald in the Assize Rolls for Lancashire in 1219; Thomas Cutebold and William Cotebold in 1292, 1332-57 in Kent; and John Cobald in the Feet of Fines for Suffolk in 1309. 1

The Cabbage variant is most interesting. Derived from the Middle English word "caboche," meaning "head of cabbage," this nickname was first found in the Feet of Fines for Yorkshire in 1280 with Richard Caboche. A few years later, John Cabage was listed in 1304-1305. Much later, William Cabbage was listed in Essex in 1662. 1

Early History of the Cobel family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Cobel research. Another 103 words (7 lines of text) covering the years 1066, 1174, 1219, 1273, 1353, 1561, 1592, 1649, 1680, 1752, 1767, 1768, 1787, 1797, 1824, 1837 and 1877 are included under the topic Early Cobel History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Cobel Spelling Variations

The English language only became standardized in the last few centuries; therefore, spelling variations are common among early Anglo-Saxon names. As the form of the English language changed, even the spelling of literate people's names evolved. Cobel has been recorded under many different variations, including Cobbold, Cobbald, Cubald, Cubold, Cubaldus, Carbould, Cobald, Cubbel, Cubaud, Corbold, Corbould, Cubill, Cobell and many more.

Early Notables of the Cobel family

Notables of the family at this time include William Cobbold, a composer of the latter part of the sixteenth, and early part of the following century, was one of the ten musicians who harmonized the tunes for 'The Whole Booke of Psalmes with their wonted Tunes as they are song in Churches, composed into foure partes,' published by Thomas Este in 1592. 5Thomas Cobbold (1680-1752), was an English brewer born in Rattlesdon, Suffolk who established a family brewery in Ipswich. He was the progenitor of the Ipswich branch of the family, a line that continues today as prominent promoters of Ipswich...
Another 158 words (11 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Cobel Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Cobel family

For many English families, the political and religious disarray that shrouded England made the far away New World an attractive prospect. On cramped disease-ridden ships, thousands migrated to those British colonies that would eventually become Canada and the United States. Those hardy settlers that survived the journey often went on to make important contributions to the emerging nations in which they landed. Analysis of immigration records indicates that some of the first North American immigrants bore the name Cobel or a variant listed above: M. Cobell who arrived in San Francisco in 1856.



The Cobel 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: Rebus angustis fortis
Motto Translation: Brave in adversity.


  1. Reaney, P.H and R.M. Wilson, A Dictionary of English Surnames. London: Routledge, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-415-05737-X)
  2. Harrison, Henry, Surnames of the United Kingdom: A Concise Etymological Dictionary Baltimore: Geneological Publishing Company, 2013. Print
  3. Barber, Henry, British Family Names London: Elliot Stock, 62 Paternoster Row, 1894. Print.
  4. Williams, Dr Ann. And G.H. Martin, Eds., Domesday Book A Complete Translation. London: Penguin, 1992. Print. (ISBN 0-141-00523-8)
  5. Grove, Sir George, A Dictionary of Music and Musicians (AD. 1450-1889) London: Macmillan1902, Print, 2 Vols


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