Show ContentsProbyns History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

The Celtic name of Probyns was derived from the rugged landscape of Wales. This old, proud name is derived from the personal name Robin. The surname Probyns 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 Probyns family

The surname Probyns 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 Probyns family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Probyns 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 Probyns History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Probyns 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 Probyns have included Probyn, Probin, Probbin, Probbyn, Propert, Probert, Proppert, Probins, Probyns, Ap Robin, Ap Robert, Proby and many more.

Early Notables of the Probyns 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 Probyns Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Ireland Migration of the Probyns family to Ireland

Some of the Probyns 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 Probyns family

Many Welsh families joined their Scottish and Irish neighbors during the late 1800s and early 1900s in seeking refuge in North America. Like the Irish and Scottish, many Welsh anxiously awaited the work, freedom, and opportunities that they believed lay in North America. Those who did journey over to the United States and what became known as Canada often realized those dreams, but only through much toil and perseverance. Whenever and however these Welsh immigrants arrived in North America, they were instrumental in the creation of the industry, commerce, and cultural heritage within those two developing nations. In the immigration and passenger lists a number of early immigrants bearing the name Probyns were found: Richard Proby who was recorded as having arrived in Virginia in 1655; John Probert arrived in Maryland in 1678; Hugh ApRobert, accompanied by his mother Katherine Owen, his wife and five children, arrived in Pennsylvania in 1683.



The Probyns 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.


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