Show ContentsMaband History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

The Welsh name Maband is derived from the hills and Moors of Wales where a very particular Celtic people, known as the Britons, thrived. This surname is derived from the Welsh personal name Mabon, which means a child or great son.

According to Welsh literature and mythology, Mabon ap Modron, the son of Modron, is a member of King Arthur's war band.

Early Origins of the Maband family

The surname Maband was first found in Cornwall, at St. Mabyn, a parish, in the union of Bodmin, hundred of Trigg. 1

"St. Mabyn is indebted for its name to one of the large sainted family that came into this country from Wales. One of these, a female, whose name was Maben, fixed her hermitage in this district, which still retains her name. This name seems to have been appropriated to the parish at an early period; since in the first valor in 1294, we find the name of Ecclesia Sanctae. Mabenae applied to the present rectory not far from Wadebridge. Of the personal history of this female saint, very little is at present known." 2

Early History of the Maband family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Maband research. Another 92 words (7 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Maband History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Maband Spelling Variations

There are relatively few surnames native to Wales, but they have an inordinately large number of spelling variations. Early variations of Welsh surnames can be explained by the fact that very few people in the early Middle Ages were literate. Priests and the few other literate people were responsible for recording names in official documents. And because most people could not specific how to properly record their names it was up to the individual recorder of that time to determine how a spoken name should be recorded. Variations due to the imprecise or improper recording of a name continued later in history when names originally composed in the Brythonic Celtic, language of Wales, known by natives as Cymraeg, were transliterated into English. Welsh names that were documented in English often changed dramatically since the native language of Wales, which was highly inflected, did not copy well. Occasionally, however, spelling variations were carried out according to an individual's specific design: a branch loyalty within the family, a religious adherence, or even patriotic affiliations could be indicated by minor variations. The spelling variations of the name Maband have included Maben, Mabon, Mabin, Mabben and others.

Early Notables of the Maband family

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

Migration of the Maband family

During the latter half of the 19th and the beginning of the 20th century, the people of Wales journeyed to North America to find a new life. They made major contributions to the arts, industry and commerce of both Canada and the United States, and added a rich cultural heritage to their newly adopted societies. A look at the immigration and passenger lists has shown a number of people bearing the name Maband: Edward Mabin settled in Virginia in 1623; Andrew Maben arrived in Philadelphia in 1864; another Andrew Mabin arrived in Philadelphia in 1879.



  1. Lewis, Samuel, A Topographical Dictionary of England. Institute of Historical Research, 1848, Print.
  2. Hutchins, Fortescue, The History of Cornwall, from the Earliest Records and Traditions to the Present Time. London: William Penaluna, 1824. Print


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