Drapbor History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
England
Ireland

The name Drapbor is rooted in the ancient Anglo-Saxon culture. It was originally a name for someone who worked as a maker or seller of woolen cloth. The surname Drapbor is derived from the Old French word drapier and the Anglo-French word draper, which both have this meaning. The word was recorded in Old English as early as 1376.

Early Origins of the Drapbor family

The surname Drapbor was first found in Lancashire where one of the first records of the family was Robert le Draper who was listed in the Pipe Rolls (1181-1182.) 1 Later the Subsidy Rolls, Henry le Draper was listed as holding estates in 1332 in the same county. The Hundredorum Rolls of 1273 lists Roger le Draper in Wiltshire and Auwred le Draper in Cambridgeshire. The Yorkshire Poll Tax Rolls of 1379 lists Johannes Drapour as a drapour at that time. 2

Early History of the Drapbor family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Drapbor research. Another 78 words (6 lines of text) covering the years 1567, 1646, 1678, 1689, 1694 and 1772 are included under the topic Early Drapbor History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Drapbor Spelling Variations

It is only in the last few hundred years that the English language has been standardized. For that reason, early Anglo-Saxon surnames like Drapbor are characterized by many spelling variations. As the English language changed and incorporated elements of other European languages, even literate people changed the spelling of their names. The variations of the name Drapbor include Draper, Drapere, Draiper, Draeper, Drapar, Drapir, Drayper, Dreypar, Drapper, Drapier, Drabber, Drapber, Drabper, Drappar and many more.

Early Notables of the Drapbor family

Another 38 words (3 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Drapbor Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Drapbor family to Ireland

Some of the Drapbor family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt.
Another 33 words (2 lines of text) about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Drapbor family

Many English families tired of political and religious strife left Britain for the new colonies in North America. Although the trip itself offered no relief - conditions on the ships were extremely cramped, and many travelers arrived diseased, starving, and destitute - these immigrants believed the opportunities that awaited them were worth the risks. Once in the colonies, many of the families did indeed prosper and, in turn, made significant contributions to the culture and economies of the growing colonies. An inquiry into the early roots of North American families has revealed a number of immigrants bearing the name Drapbor or a variant listed above: Henry Draper settled in Virginia in 1621; the year after the "Mayflower" landed, and many of the name were banished to Barbados where they settled from the year 1654. John Draper was banished in 1654.

The Drapbor 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: Vincit pepercit
Motto Translation: He conquered, he spared

Citations +

Reaney, P.H and R.M. Wilson, A Dictionary of English Surnames. London: Routledge, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-415-05737-X)
Bardsley, C.W, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames: With Special American Instances. Wiltshire: Heraldry Today, 1901. Print. (ISBN 0-900455-44-6)