Show ContentsGoulbyrne History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Early Origins of the Goulbyrne family

The surname Goulbyrne was first found in Cheshire where it was listed as Golborne, part of the Duddeston hundred. Hence, conjecturally, the surname is descended from the tenant of the lands of Golborne held by Osbern FitzTezzo a Norman noble from William Malbank, Baron of Nantwich who was recorded in the Domesday Book census of 1086. 1 Baron William was from Brecy, near Caen in Normandy and was granted the lands by Duke William after Hastings. Golborne held an important winter Mill and was a large village in 1066. William Malbank, originally 'le Seigneur William de Brecy', may have adopted his new name Mal or Milbank from this Mill. Golborne is also a town in Greater Manchester, historically part of Lancashire and dates back to 1187, when it was spelt Goldeburn. The place name literally meant "stream where marsh marigolds grow", derived from the Old English golde + burna. 2

Early History of the Goulbyrne family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Goulbyrne research. Another 110 words (8 lines of text) covering the years 1230 and 1332 are included under the topic Early Goulbyrne History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Goulbyrne 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. Goulbyrne has been recorded under many different variations, including Golborn, Goldbourne, Goldborn, Goulbourn, Goulborn, Golborne, Goldborne, Goldburn, Goldburne, Golburn, Golburne, Golbourne and many more.

Early Notables of the Goulbyrne family

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

Migration of the Goulbyrne 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 Goulbyrne or a variant listed above: Edward Golbourn, who arrived in Virginia in 1654; and Richard Golbourne, who settled in Virginia in 1658.



  1. Williams, Dr Ann. And G.H. Martin, Eds., Domesday Book A Complete Translation. London: Penguin, 1992. Print. (ISBN 0-141-00523-8)
  2. Mills, A.D., Dictionary of English Place-Names. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-19-869156-4)


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