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![Show Contents]() Philben Surname History
Philben is a name that was carried to England in the great wave of migration from Normandy following the Norman Conquest of 1066. The Philben family lived in Sussex, at the town of Pilbeam, which is now lost to the map. Early Origins of the Philben familyThe surname Philben was first found in Sussex where they held a family seat as Lords of the Manor. After the Battle of Hastings in 1066, William, Duke of Normandy, having prevailed over King Harold, granted most of Britain to his many victorious Barons. It was not uncommon to find a Baron, or a Bishop, with 60 or more Lordships scattered throughout the country. These he gave to his sons, nephews and other junior lines of his family and they became known as under-tenants. They adopted the Norman system of surnames which identified the under-tenant with his holdings so as to distinguish him from the senior stem of the family. After many rebellious wars between his Barons, Duke William, commissioned a census of all England to determine in 1086, settling once and for all, who held which land. He called the census the Domesday Book, 1 indicating that those holders registered would hold the land until the end of time. Hence, the name is from some village in Sussex not recorded in the Domesday Book for that county. Although the first recording of the name only appeared in 1296 when Adam Philbin held estates, it is presumed there is a close relationship to the Burke family, and the Philbin, which later became Pilbeam, was descended from the grandson of Richard de Burgo(Burke,) Governor of Ireland in 1219 whose name was Philipin. In Ireland they were recognized as 'English' and some branches of this family adopted that name also. Others adopted the name MacPhilbin. Meanwhile, the main branch Pilbeam or Philbeam, moved back to Sussex and settled there. Early History of the Philben familyThis web page shows only a small excerpt of our Philben research. Another 95 words (7 lines of text) covering the years 1172, 1327 and 1347 are included under the topic Early Philben History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible. Philben Spelling VariationsBefore English spelling was standardized a few hundred years ago, spelling variations of names were a common occurrence. Elements of Latin, Norman French and other languages became incorporated into English throughout the Middle Ages, and name spellings changed even among the literate. The variations of the surname Philben include Pilbeam, Philbeam, MacPhilbin, Pilbean, Philbean, Pilbin and many more. Early Notables of the Philben familyMore information is included under the topic Early Philben Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.  Migration of the Philben family to Ireland
Some of the Philben family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt.
Another 52 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 Philben familyIn England at this time, the uncertainty of the political and religious environment of the time caused many families to board ships for distant British colonies in the hopes of finding land and opportunity, and escaping persecution. The voyages were expensive, crowded, and difficult, though, and many arrived in North America sick, starved, and destitute. Those who did make it, however, were greeted with greater opportunities and freedoms that they could have experienced at home. Many of those families went on to make important contributions to the young nations in which they settled. Early immigration records have shown some of the first Philbens to arrive on North American shores: Michael Philbin, who settled in Baltimore, Md, in 1834; John Pilburn, who settled in Texas in 1835; and David Pilbeam, who was recorded in the census of Ontario, Canada in 1871..
- Williams, Dr Ann. And G.H. Martin, Eds., Domesday Book A Complete Translation. London: Penguin, 1992. Print. (ISBN 0-141-00523-8)
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England
Ireland
