First found in the English county of Suffolk in the south east where they had been settled from very ancient times.

At this time, the shores of the New World beckoned many English families that felt that the social climate in England was oppressive and lacked opportunity for change. Thousands left England at great expense in ships that were overcrowded and full of disease. A great portion of these settlers never survived the journey and even a greater number arrived sick, starving, and without a penny. The survivors, however, were often greeted with greater opportunity than they could have experienced back home. These English settlers made significant contributions to those colonies that would eventually become the United States and Canada. An examination of early immigration records and passenger ship lists revealed that people bearing the name Arber arrived in North America very early: Michael Arbor who settled in New York State in 1775; and Joseph Arbour arrived in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, in 1786. Frank Harber settled in Virginia in 1647.

Motto Translated: With equanimity.

For more information on the last name Arber, the PDF Surname History is available for purchase as well as other products.