Show ContentsPebody History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Pebody is one of the names that was brought to England in the wave of migration following the Norman Conquest of 1066. The Pebody family lived in Hertfordshire. The name, however, is a reference to Pabode, Normandy, the family's place of residence prior to the Norman Conquest of England in 1066. It has also been suggested that Peabody began as a nickname which marked a person by some physical characteristic, but, while this does seem probable, no convincing etymological derivation has been discovered to support this idea.

Early Origins of the Pebody family

The surname Pebody was first found in Hertfordshire, but we must take a moment to pass on a rather ridiculous origin of the name that this author agrees is rather 'far-fetched.' "The same as Paybody. Dixon derived it from Pae-body, 'one as handsome as a pae or peacock!' This is far-fetched enough for the ordinary belief, but Mr. Arthur goes much further, in deducing the lineage of the name from one Boadie, a kinsman of Queen Boadices, who escaped into Wales, and there got the name of Pea, or mountain, prefixed to his name !!" 1

After that distraction, we must seriously explore the origin of the distinguished name. "Pabode held a fief from the see of Durham, temp. William I. He was probably of Flemish origin. Henry Pappede held this fief 1165 and from him descended the family of Pappady, Pabody or Peabody, from which [descend] the celebrated philanthropist of the name." 2

Early History of the Pebody family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Pebody research. Another 86 words (6 lines of text) covering the year 1086 is included under the topic Early Pebody History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Pebody Spelling Variations

Before the advent of the printing press and the first dictionaries, the English language was not standardized. Sound was what guided spelling in the Middle Ages, so one person's name was often recorded under several variations during a single lifetime. Spelling variations were common, even among the names of the most literate people. Known variations of the Pebody family name include Peabody, Paybody and others.

Early Notables of the Pebody family

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


New Zealand Pebody 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:

Pebody Settlers in New Zealand in the 19th Century
  • Frank B. Pebody, who arrived in Wellington, New Zealand aboard the ship "Black Swan" in 1866


The Pebody 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: Murus aeneus consienta sana
Motto Translation: A sound conscience is a wall of brass.


  1. Lower, Mark Anthony, Patronymica Britannica, A Dictionary of Family Names of the United Kingdom. London: John Russel Smith, 1860. Print.
  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)


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