Coblay History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
England

The ancestors of the bearers of the Coblay family name are thought have lived in ancient Anglo-Saxon England. They were first found in Coberley, Gloucestershire which dates back to at least the Domesday Book where it was listed as Culberlege and literally meant "wood or clearing of a man called Cuthbeorht." 1

Early Origins of the Coblay family

The surname Coblay was first found in Devon. The phrase "Uncle Tom Cobley and all" is an English expression of explaining "and all the rest" comes from the Devon folk song "Widecombe Fair" chorus which lists a long list of people "Bill Brewer, Jan Stewer, Peter Gurney, Peter Davy, Dan'l Whiddon, Harry Hawke, Old Uncle Tom Cobley and all", and Whether the characters were real or not, it is unknown.

Early History of the Coblay family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Coblay research. Another 74 words (5 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Coblay History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Coblay 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 Coblay include Cobley, Coblegh, Cobleigh, Cobligh, Coboleche and others.

Early Notables of the Coblay family

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

Coblay migration to Australia +

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

Coblay Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century

Ellen Coblay, who arrived in Adelaide, Australia aboard the ship "John Munn" in 1849 2

Citations +

Mills, A.D., Dictionary of English Place-Names. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-19-869156-4)
State Records of South Australia. (Retrieved 2010, November 5) JOHN MUNN 1849. Retrieved from http://www.slsa.sa.gov.au/BSA/1849JohnMunnPassengers.htm