Show ContentsAproby History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

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

The surname Aproby 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 Aproby family

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

Aproby Spelling Variations

Compared to other ancient cultures found in the British Isles, the number of Welsh surnames are relatively few, but there are an inordinately large number of spelling variations. These spelling variations began almost as soon as surname usage became common. People could not specify how to spell their own names leaving the specific recording up to the individual scribe or priest. Those recorders would then spell the names as they heard them, causing many different variations. Later, many Welsh names were recorded in English. This transliteration process was extremely imprecise since the Brythonic Celtic language of the Welsh used many sounds the English language was not accustomed to. Finally, some variations occurred by the individual's design: a branch loyalty within a family, a religious adherence, or even patriotic affiliations were indicated by spelling variations of one's name. The Aproby name over the years has been spelled Probyn, Probin, Probbin, Probbyn, Propert, Probert, Proppert, Probins, Probyns, Ap Robin, Ap Robert, Proby and many more.

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

Ireland Migration of the Aproby family to Ireland

Some of the Aproby 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 Aproby family

Many Welsh joined the great migrations to North America in the late 1800s and early 1900s. Like their Scottish and Irish neighbors, many Welsh families left their homeland hoping to find hope and prosperity in a land that the English did not exercise a tight rule over. Those Welsh immigrants that successfully traveled to North America went on to make significant contributions to the rapid development of both Canada and the United States in terms of the settling of land and the establishment of industry. They also added to the rich cultural heritage of both countries. An examination into the immigration and passenger lists has discovered a number of people bearing the name Aproby: 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 Aproby 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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