Clibborn History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
England
Ireland

The roots of the Anglo-Saxon name Clibborn come from when the family resided in Cliburn, a small parish in the county of Westmorland (now part of Cumbria). The place name dates back to c. 1140 when it was listed as Clibbrun. Literally it means "stream by the cliff or bank," from the Old English words "clif" + "burna." [1]

Early Origins of the Clibborn family

The surname Clibborn was first found in Westmorland at Cliburn, a village and civil parish, in the West ward and union [2], now in the Eden District of Cumbria. "The parish is pleasantly situated between the rivers Eden and Lavennet, which bound it on two sides, and is intersected by the small river Lethe." [2] Cliburn Hall, is a three storey Pele tower built by Robert de Cliburn in 1387. Richard Cliburn made changes to the hall in 1567 and added a stone which reads "Richard Cleburn this they me called. In which my time hath built this Hall. A.D. 1567." St Cuthbert's Church dates back to the 12th century and was restored in the 19th century.

Early History of the Clibborn family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Clibborn research. Another 83 words (6 lines of text) covering the years 1364, 1475, 1660, 1600, 1677 and 1621 are included under the topic Early Clibborn History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Clibborn Spelling Variations

The English language only became standardized in the last few centuries; therefore,spelling variations are common among early Anglo-Saxon names. As the form of the English language changed, even the spelling of literate people's names evolved. Clibborn has been recorded under many different variations, including Clibborn, Cliborn, Cliburn, Cilborne, Cliburne, Clibborne, Clairborne, Claiborn, Claiborne, Clayborn, Clayborne, Claybourne, Claybourn, Clayburn, Clayburne, Cliburn, Cleburn, Cleborne, Cliburne, Cleburne and many more.

Early Notables of the Clibborn family (pre 1700)

Another 34 words (2 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Clibborn Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Clibborn family to Ireland

Some of the Clibborn family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt. More information about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Clibborn migration to the United States +

For many English families, the political and religious disarray that shrouded England made the far away New World an attractive prospect. On cramped disease-ridden ships, thousands migrated to those British colonies that would eventually become Canada and the United States. Those hardy settlers that survived the journey often went on to make important contributions to the emerging nations in which they landed. Analysis of immigration records indicates that some of the first North American immigrants bore the name Clibborn or a variant listed above:

Clibborn Settlers in United States in the 18th Century

Joshua Clibborn, who immigrated to Philadelphia in 1796

Clibborn Settlers in United States in the 19th Century

Eliza F. Clibborn, who sailed to New York in 1821

Clibborn migration to Canada +

Some of the first settlers of this family name were:

Clibborn Settlers in Canada in the 19th Century

James Clibborn, who was recorded in the 1871 census of Ontario

Contemporary Notables of the name Clibborn (post 1700) +

Judy Clibborn, American politician, Member of the Washington House of Representatives (2012-)
Stanley Eric Francis Booth- Clibborn (1924-1996), English Anglican bishop, Bishop of Manchester (1979-1993)
Commissioner Arthur Sydney Booth- Clibborn (1855-1939), Irish early Salvation Army officer in France and Switzerland

The Clibborn 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: Virtus vincit invidiam
Motto Translation: Virtue overcometh envy.

Citations +

Mills, A.D., Dictionary of English Place-Names. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-19-869156-4)
Lewis, Samuel, A Topographical Dictionary of England. Institute of Historical Research, 1848, Print.