Show ContentsProbin History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

The Celtic name of Probin was derived from the rugged landscape of Wales. This old, proud name is derived from the personal name Robin. The surname Probin features the distinctive Welsh patronymic prefix ap-. The original form of the name was ap-Robin, but the prefix has been assimilated into the surname over the course of time and the overall spelling has sometimes been extensively altered.

Early Origins of the Probin family

The surname Probin was first found in Cheshire, where they held a family seat. Said to be descended from Ynyr, King of Gwent, the family held estates at Oldcastle and Newton. From Malpas they were a strong influence in West Cheshire, and Wirral life about the year 1200. Elton Hall in Elton, Cambridgeshire has been the ancestral home of the Proby family since 1660. Sir Thomas Proby, 1st Baronet (1632-April 1689) inherited Elton Hall from his father Sir Heneage Proby (died 1667.)

Early History of the Probin family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Probin research. Another 125 words (9 lines of text) covering the years 1545, 1550, 1576, 1632, 1639, 1660, 1678, 1679, 1685, 1689, 1693, 1695, 1698, 1702, 1710, 1721, 1723, 1724, 1726, 1742, 1762, 1796, 1843, 1874 and 1902 are included under the topic Early Probin History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Probin Spelling Variations

Although there are not an extremely large number Welsh surnames, there are an inordinately large number of spelling variations of those surnames. This variety of spellings began almost immediately after the acceptance of surnames within Welsh society. As time progressed, these old Brythonic names were eventually were recorded in English. This process was problematic in that many of the highly inflected sounds of the native language of Wales could not be properly captured in English. Some families, however, did decide to modify their own names to indicate a branch loyalty within the family, a religious adherence, or even a patriotic affiliation. The name Probin has seen various spelling variations: Probyn, Probin, Probbin, Probbyn, Propert, Probert, Proppert, Probins, Probyns, Ap Robin, Ap Robert, Proby and many more.

Early Notables of the Probin family

Prominent amongst the family during the late Middle Ages was Sir Heneage Proby of Elton Huntingdonshire; and his son, Sir Thomas Proby, 1st Baronet (1632-1689), an English politician, Member of Parliament for Amersham (1660-1679) and Huntingdonshire (1679-1685); John Proby (1639-1710), an English politician, Member of Parliament for Huntingdonshire (1693-1695) and (1698-1702); and John Proby (c. 1698-1762), a British Member of Parliament. He was son of Wlliam Proby, Governor of...
Another 68 words (5 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Probin Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Ireland Migration of the Probin family to Ireland

Some of the Probin 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.


United States Probin migration to the United States +

In the late 19th and early 20th centuries, many people from Wales joined the general migration to North America in search of land, work, and freedom. These immigrants greatly contributed to the rapid development of the new nations of Canada and the United States. They also added a rich and lasting cultural heritage to their newly adopted societies. Investigation of immigration and passenger lists has revealed a number of people bearing the name Probin:

Probin Settlers in United States in the 19th Century
  • William Probin who arrived in Mobile County, Alabama in 1834
  • William Probin, who landed in Mobile County, Ala in 1834 1

Australia Probin migration to Australia +

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

Probin Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century
  • Mr. Charles Probin, British Convict who was convicted in Warwick, Warwickshire, England for 7 years, transported aboard the "Caledonia" on 5th July 1820, arriving in Tasmania (Van Diemen's Land) 2


The Probin 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: Manus haec inimica tyrannis
Motto Translation: This hand is hostile to tyrants.


  1. 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)
  2. Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 25th November 2020). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/caledonia


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