Show ContentsCobleigh History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

The origins of the Cobleigh name lie with England's ancient Anglo-Saxon culture. It comes from when the family lived 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 Cobleigh family

The surname Cobleigh 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 Cobleigh family

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

Cobleigh 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 Cobleigh were recorded, including Cobley, Coblegh, Cobleigh, Cobligh, Coboleche and others.

Early Notables of the Cobleigh family

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

Migration of the Cobleigh 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 Cobleigh family emigrate to North America: Sarah Cobley who settled in New England in 1764.



  1. Mills, A.D., Dictionary of English Place-Names. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-19-869156-4)


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