Show ContentsMcCoubrey History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

The roots of the McCoubrey family stretch back to the Strathclyde people of the Scottish/English Borderlands, who were the first to use the surname. It is derived from an Old English personal name meaning bright champion.

Early Origins of the McCoubrey family

The surname McCoubrey was first found in Kirkcudbrightshire (Gaelic: Siorrachd Chille Chuithbheirt), part of the present day Council Area of Dumfries and Galloway, former county in Southwestern Scotland, where they held a family seat from very ancient times. They were descended from Saint Cuthbert of Landisfarne (d. 687) in Northumberland. The name Kirkcudbright literally means "Cuthbert's Church."

"St. Cuthbert, according to the legends of the times, was born of British parents in Cumberland, about the year 600. As Cuthbert advanced in years, he became such a distinguished character, that he was raised to the dignity of abbot in the abbey of Landisferne. Of his miracles and exploits many marvellous tales are recorded; and even after his death his relics are said to have retained miraculous virtues; and to their accidental touch is ascribed the healing power which the holy well in this parish is presumed to possess." [1]

Cuthbert (d. 758), was Archbishop of Canterbury, said to have been of noble parentage, first appears as abbot of Liminge in Kent. [2]

Early History of the McCoubrey family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our McCoubrey research. Another 140 words (10 lines of text) covering the years 1466, 1640, 1778 and 1890 are included under the topic Early McCoubrey History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

McCoubrey Spelling Variations

The variation in the spelling of Medieval names is a result of the lack of spelling rules in the English language prior to the last few hundred years. Before that time, scribes spelled according to sound, often varying the spelling of name within a single document. McCoubrey has appeared as Cuthbert, Cudbert, Cuthberd, Cudberd, Cuthburst, Cuthburt, Cudburt and many more.

Early Notables of the McCoubrey family

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

Ireland Migration of the McCoubrey family to Ireland

Some of the McCoubrey family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt.
Another 82 words (6 lines of text) about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.


United States McCoubrey migration to the United States +

As the persecution of Clan families continued, they sailed for North America in increasing numbers. In most cases, they found the freedom and opportunity they sought. Land was often available and the American War of Independence allowed Scots an opportunity to solidify their independence from the English crown. These settlers and their ancestors went on to play essential roles in the forging of the nations of the United States and Canada. Among them:

McCoubrey Settlers in United States in the 19th Century
  • Robert E McCoubrey, who landed in Pennsylvania in 1861 [3]

Contemporary Notables of the name McCoubrey (post 1700) +

  • James McCoubrey (1901-2013), Newfoundland-born, American supercentenarian at 111 years
  • Edgar Louis McCoubrey (1904-2001), Newfoundland-born, American automotive dealer and politician, 10th Mayor of Palm Springs, California
  • Irene McCoubrey (b. 1950), Irish singer
  • Margaret McCoubrey (1880-1955), Scottish-born, Irish suffragist
  • Adrian George Agustus Matthew McCoubrey (b. 1980), Irish cricketer
  • Frank McCoubrey, Northern Irish Unionist politician


The McCoubrey 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: Nec minus fortiter
Motto Translation: Not less bravely.


  1. Hutchins, Fortescue, The History of Cornwall, from the Earliest Records and Traditions to the Present Time. London: William Penaluna, 1824. Print
  2. Smith, George (ed), Dictionary of National Biography. London: Smith, Elder & Co., 1885-1900. Print
  3. Filby, P. William, Meyer, Mary K., Passenger and immigration lists index : a guide to published arrival records of about 500,000 passengers who came to the United States and Canada in the seventeenth, eighteenth, and nineteenth centuries. 1982-1985 Cumulated Supplements in Four Volumes Detroit, Mich. : Gale Research Co., 1985, Print (ISBN 0-8103-1795-8)


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