Show ContentsHubbeard History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

The surname Hubbeard is a name of ancient Norman origin. It arrived in England with the Norman Conquest of 1066. Hubbeard is a name that comes from the Norman personal name Hildebert, which is composed of the Germanic elements "hild," which meant "battle" or "strife," and "berht," which meant "bright" or "famous." The Norman Conquerors imported a vast number of Norman French personal names into England, which largely replaced traditional Old English personal names among the upper and middle classes.

Early Origins of the Hubbeard family

The surname Hubbeard was first found in the Domesday Book of 1086 where the early Latin form of the name was found in Hampshire, Eudo filius Huberti. 1

The family may have descended from Roger and/or Ralph Hubert, who were listed in the Magni Rotuli Scaccarii Normanniae (1180). 2

Later on in London, as a forename, Hubert de Bissoppesgate was listed in the Subsidy Rolls of 1292. Thomas Huberd (Hubert) was found in Dorset in the Pipe Rolls of 1230, William Hoberd was in the Feet of Fines for Suffolk in 1292 and Roger Hubard was in the Subsidy Rolls for Somerset in 1327. 3

Osbert Houbard was also listed in Somerset, Edward III (during the first year of King Edward III's reign.) 4

The Yorkshire Poll Tax Rolls of 1379 recorded Petrus Hubard; Alicia Hubard; and Isabella Hoberd as all holding lands there at that time. 5

"Hubbard is a characteristic Norfolk name. The early form of the name in this and the neighbouring counties, both in Domesday times and in the centuries immediately following, was Hubert, occasionally written Huberd; and we find that Robert Hubert or Hoberd was rector of Seaming at the close of the 14th century. Thence, the transition to Hubberd, and on to Hubbard is an easy one. " 6

The English nursery rhyme "Old Mother Hubbard" is generally attributed to Sarah Catherine Martin (1768-1826), who lived in Yealmpton, Devon and was first published under the title "The Comic Adventures of Old Mother Hubbard and her Dog."

Early History of the Hubbeard family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Hubbeard research. Another 258 words (18 lines of text) covering the years 1190, 1588, 1621, 1642, 1704, 1757, 1770, 1775, 1783, 1837 and 1849 are included under the topic Early Hubbeard History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Hubbeard Spelling Variations

Before the last few hundred years the English language had no fixed system of spelling rules. For that reason, spelling variations occurred commonly in Anglo Norman surnames. Over the years, many variations of the name Hubbeard were recorded, including Hubert, Hubbert, Hubbard and others.

Early Notables of the Hubbeard family

Another 47 words (3 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Hubbeard Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Ireland Migration of the Hubbeard family to Ireland

Some of the Hubbeard family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt.
Another 49 words (4 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 Hubbeard family

The unstable environment in England at this time caused numerous families to board ships and leave in search of opportunity and freedom from persecution abroad in places like Ireland, Australia, and particularly the New World. The voyage was extremely difficult, however, and only taken at great expense. The cramped conditions and unsanitary nature of the vessels caused many to arrive diseased and starving, not to mention destitute from the enormous cost. Still opportunity in the emerging nations of Canada and the United States was far greater than at home and many went on to make important contributions to the cultures of their adopted countries. An examination of many early immigration records reveals that people bearing the name Hubbeard arrived in North America very early: Benjamin and Alice Hubbard, who came to Charlestown, MA in 1633; Ann Hubbard, who came to Dedham, MA in 1638; Benjamin Hubbard, who arrived in Charlestown, MA in 1633.



  1. Williams, Dr Ann. And G.H. Martin, Eds., Domesday Book A Complete Translation. London: Penguin, 1992. Print. (ISBN 0-141-00523-8)
  2. The Norman People and Their Existing Descendants in the British Dominions and the United States Of America. Baltimore: Genealogical Publishing, 1975. Print. (ISBN 0-8063-0636-X)
  3. Reaney, P.H and R.M. Wilson, A Dictionary of English Surnames. London: Routledge, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-415-05737-X)
  4. Dickinson, F.H., Kirby's Quest for Somerset of 16th of Edward the 3rd London: Harrison and Sons, Printers in Ordinary to Her Majesty, St, Martin's Lane, 1889. Print.
  5. Bardsley, C.W, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames: With Special American Instances. Wiltshire: Heraldry Today, 1901. Print. (ISBN 0-900455-44-6)
  6. Guppy, Henry Brougham, Homes of Family Names in Great Britain. 1890. Print.


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