Tobin History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms 

Origins Available: 
  Ireland 
  England 


When the Anglo-Normans began to settle in Ireland, they brought the tradition of local surnames to an island which already had a Gaelic naming system of hereditary surnames established. Unlike the Irish, the Anglo-Normans had an affinity for local surnames. Local surnames, such as Tobin, were formed from the names of a place or a geographical landmark where the person lived, held land, or was born. The earliest Anglo-Norman surnames of this type came from Normandy, but as the Normans moved, they created names that referred to where they actually resided. Therefore, English places were used for names when the Normans lived in England, and then Irish places after these particular Anglo-Normans had been settled in Ireland for some time. Originally, these place names were prefixed by de, which means from in French. However, this type of prefix was eventually either made a part of the surname, if the place name began with a vowel, or it was eliminated entirely. The Tobin family originally lived in the settlement of Aubyn in France. Thus, the surname Tobin belongs to the class of topographic surnames, which were given to people who resided near physical features such as hills, streams, churches, or types of trees. The Tobin family was originally called St. Aubyn, which was eventually corrupted to Tobin. The Gaelic form of the surname is Tóibín.

Early Origins of the Tobin family

The surname Tobin was first found in Devon, where they held a family seat at the manor of Ashton known as "Place Barton," the heiress of this line married Sir John St. Aubyns. Sir John was the heir of the St. Aubyns of St. Aubyn du Thenney in Normandy, and was possessed of considerable estates at Pickwell, Georgeham, Berynarber, and Paracombe in north Devon. The name St. Aubyn gradually eroded to Torbyn and then Tobyn.

Early History of the Tobin family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Tobin research. Another 86 words (6 lines of text) covering the year 1819 is included under the topic Early Tobin History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Tobin Spelling Variations

Church officials and medieval scribes often spelled early surnames as they sounded. This practice often resulted in many spelling variations of even a single name. Early versions of the name Tobin included: Tobin, Torbyn, Tobyn and others.

Early Notables of the Tobin family

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

Tobin World Ranking

In the United States, the name Tobin is the 1,761st most popular surname with an estimated 17,409 people with that name. 1 However, in Newfoundland, Canada, the name Tobin is ranked the 71st most popular surname with an estimated 380 people with that name. 2 And in Australia, the name Tobin is the 902nd popular surname with an estimated 4,364 people with that name. 3


Tobin migration to the United States +

Ireland went through one of the most devastating periods in its history with the arrival of the Great Potato Famine of the 1840s. Many also lost their lives from typhus, fever and dysentery. And poverty was the general rule as tenant farmers were often evicted because they could not pay the high rents. Emigration to North America gave hundreds of families a chance at a life where work, freedom, and land ownership were all possible. For those who made the long journey, it meant hope and survival. The Irish emigration to British North America and the United States opened up the gates of industry, commerce, education and the arts. Early immigration and passenger lists have shown many Irish people bearing the name Tobin:

Tobin Settlers in United States in the 17th Century
Tobin Settlers in United States in the 18th Century
Tobin Settlers in United States in the 19th Century
Tobin Settlers in United States in the 20th Century

Tobin migration to Canada +

Some of the first settlers of this family name were:

Tobin Settlers in Canada in the 19th Century

Tobin migration to Australia +

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

Tobin Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century

Tobin 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:

Tobin Settlers in New Zealand in the 19th Century

Contemporary Notables of the name Tobin (post 1700) +


The Tobin 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: Noli me tangere
Motto Translation: Touch me not.
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