Show ContentsLipscombe History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

The name Lipscombe first arose amongst the Anglo-Saxon tribes of Britain. It is derived from their having lived in the region of Luscombe in the counties of Devon, Dorset, and Cornwall. Lipscombe is a topographic surname, which was given to a person who resided near a physical feature such as a hill, stream, church, or type of tree. Habitation names form the other broad category of surnames that were derived from place-names. They were derived from pre-existing names for towns, villages, parishes, or farmsteads. Other local names are derived from the names of houses, manors, estates, regions, and entire counties.

Early Origins of the Lipscombe family

The surname Lipscombe was first found in Devon where they held a family seat from early times and their first records appeared on the early census rolls taken by the early Kings of Britain to determine the rate of taxation of their subjects.

Early History of the Lipscombe family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Lipscombe research. Another 81 words (6 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Lipscombe History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Lipscombe Spelling Variations

One relatively recent invention that did much to standardize English spelling was the printing press. However, before its invention even the most literate people recorded their names according to sound rather than spelling. The spelling variations under which the name Lipscombe has appeared include Luscombe, Luscomb, Lustcomb, Liscomb, Listcomb and others.

Early Notables of the Lipscombe family

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

Ireland Migration of the Lipscombe family to Ireland

Some of the Lipscombe family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt. More information about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.


Australia Lipscombe migration to Australia +

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

Lipscombe Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century
  • Elizabeth Lipscombe, who arrived in Adelaide, Australia aboard the ship "Ramillies" in 1849 1
  • Emma Lipscombe, who arrived in Adelaide, Australia aboard the ship "Ramillies" in 1849 1

New Zealand Lipscombe migration to New Zealand +

Emigration to New Zealand followed in the footsteps of the European explorers, such as Captain Cook (1769-70): first came sealers, whalers, missionaries, and traders. By 1838, the British New Zealand Company had begun buying land from the Maori tribes, and selling it to settlers, and, after the Treaty of Waitangi in 1840, many British families set out on the arduous six month journey from Britain to Aotearoa to start a new life. Early immigrants include:

Lipscombe Settlers in New Zealand in the 19th Century
  • James Lipscombe, aged 21, a carpenter, who arrived in Wellington, New Zealand aboard the ship "Hudson" in 1879
  • Fanny Lipscombe, aged 21, who arrived in Wellington, New Zealand aboard the ship "Hudson" in 1879

Contemporary Notables of the name Lipscombe (post 1700) +

  • Edward Hart Lipscombe (b. 1858), American educator and religious leader and professor at Shaw University and a co-founder of the journal, the African Expositor
  • Diane Lipscombe Ph.D. (b. 1960), American professor of neuroscience and the Reliance Dhirubhai Ambani Director of Brown University’s Robert J. and Nancy D. Carney Institute for Brain Science
  • Jesse Lipscombe, American actor, known for Resurrecting the Champ (2007), Truckstop Bloodsuckers (2012) and It's Not My Fault and I Don't Care Anyway (2015)
  • Lydia Jane Lipscombe (b. 1979), New Zealand swimmer who competed in the women's 100 m, 200 m, and 4 × 100 m backstroke events at the 1996 Summer Olympics
  • Colonel Nicolas John Lipscombe FRHistS (b. 1958), French-born, British historian, author, tour guide, lecturer and university tutor
  • Kristen Lipscombe (b. 1980), Canadian media and communications coordinator for Hockey Canada (2009-2014)
  • Jesse Lipscombe, Canadian high jump competitor at the 2003 Summer Universiade, Daegu, South Korea

HMS Royal Oak
  • Cyril G. Lipscombe, British Boy 1st Class with the Royal Navy aboard the HMS Royal Oak (1939) when she was torpedoed by U-47 and sunk; he survived the sinking 2


The Lipscombe 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: Mors omnibus communis
Motto Translation: Death is common to all men.


  1. State Records of South Australia. (Retrieved 2010, November 5) RAMILIES 1849. Retrieved from http://www.slsa.sa.gov.au/BSA/1849Ramillies.htm
  2. Ships hit by U-boats crew list HMS Royal Oak (08) - (Retrieved 2018 February, 9th) - retrieved from https://uboat.net/allies/merchants/crews/ship68.html


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