Show ContentsWybourne History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Early Origins of the Wybourne family

The surname Wybourne was first found in Kent where the family name was first referenced in the year 1212 when Wybern of Kent held estates at Keistret in that shire. A few years later, Ralph Wybern was listed in the Feet of Fines for Essex in 1241 and Richard Wyborn was listed in the Subsidy Rolls for Worcestershire in 1275. The name is thought to have originated from the Old English Wigbeom, which means "war-hero." 1 Another source claims the name to be "an ancient personal name." 2

Only one entry was found in the Hundredorum Rolls of 1273, that of Robert Wyborn, Oxfordshire. 3

Early History of the Wybourne family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Wybourne research. Another 75 words (5 lines of text) covering the years 1241, 1275, 1533, 1557, 1558, 1559, 1560, 1575, 1581, 1606 and 1805 are included under the topic Early Wybourne History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Wybourne Spelling Variations

Spelling variations of this family name include: Wyborn, Wyburn, Wybourn, Wiborn, Wiburn, Wybron, Whyborn, Whyburn, Wibourn, Wibourne and many more.

Early Notables of the Wybourne family

Distinguished members of the family include Perceval Wiburn or Wyburn (c. 1533-1606), an English Puritan divine, a Marian exile, suspected nonconformist and Puritan, and polemical opponent of Robert Parsons. A man of strong Protestant opinions, he sympathised with the reforming tendencies of Edward VI's government, and after the accession of Mary he judged it prudent to leave England. In May 1557 he joined the English congregation at Geneva. On the accession of Elizabeth he returned to England; in 1558 he proceeded M.A., and in the same year...
Another 86 words (6 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Wybourne Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.


New Zealand Wybourne 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:

Wybourne Settlers in New Zealand in the 19th Century
  • William Wybourne, who landed in Wanganui, New Zealand in 1840


The Wybourne 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: Fama perennis erit
Motto Translation: Thy fame shall be enduring.


  1. Reaney, P.H and R.M. Wilson, A Dictionary of English Surnames. London: Routledge, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-415-05737-X)
  2. Lower, Mark Anthony, Patronymica Britannica, A Dictionary of Family Names of the United Kingdom. London: John Russel Smith, 1860. Print.
  3. Bardsley, C.W, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames: With Special American Instances. Wiltshire: Heraldry Today, 1901. Print. (ISBN 0-900455-44-6)


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