Show ContentsClyburn History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

The ancestors of the name Clyburn date back to the Anglo-Saxon tribes of Britain. The name is derived from when the Clyburn family lived 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 Clyburn family

The surname Clyburn 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.

A strong Yorkshire family, Robert de Cleburne was a Freeman of York in 1364 as was Oliver Clibburn in 1475. Early Cheshire records also show the name as a forename, specifically Clibern Biscop who was listed in the Feet of Fines for Yorkshire in 1202. 3

In some cases, the Clayborne (an its many variants) was centralized in Norfolk where the first record was of Thomas Clabeyn who was Bailiff of Yarmouth in 1412. William Clayoorne, Norfolk was registered there 2 Edward VI (during the second year of Edward VI's reign) and Thomas Clayborne was Mayor of Lynn Regis in 1573. 4

Early History of the Clyburn family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Clyburn research. Another 95 words (7 lines of text) covering the years 1364, 1475, 1600, 1604, 1621, 1626, 1634, 1648, 1660 and 1677 are included under the topic Early Clyburn History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Clyburn Spelling Variations

It is only in the last few hundred years that the English language has been standardized. For that reason, early Anglo-Saxon surnames like Clyburn are characterized by many spelling variations. As the English language changed and incorporated elements of other European languages, even literate people changed the spelling of their names. The variations of the name Clyburn include: 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 Clyburn family

Distinguished members of the family include William Cleburn of Moate Castle, County Westmeath; and William Claiborne (c. 1600-1677), (Clayborne and Cleyburne), an English Puritan pioneer, surveyor from Kent, an early settler in Virginia and Maryland in 1621. He rose to become Secretary...
Another 41 words (3 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Clyburn Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Clyburn Ranking

In the United States, the name Clyburn is the 6,823rd most popular surname with an estimated 4,974 people with that name. 5

Ireland Migration of the Clyburn family to Ireland

Some of the Clyburn 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.


United States Clyburn migration to the United States +

Many English families tired of political and religious strife left Britain for the new colonies in North America. Although the trip itself offered no relief - conditions on the ships were extremely cramped, and many travelers arrived diseased, starving, and destitute - these immigrants believed the opportunities that awaited them were worth the risks. Once in the colonies, many of the families did indeed prosper and, in turn, made significant contributions to the culture and economies of the growing colonies. An inquiry into the early roots of North American families has revealed a number of immigrants bearing the name Clyburn or a variant listed above:

Clyburn Settlers in United States in the 20th Century
  • Onslo Clyburn, aged 36, who arrived in New York in 1919 aboard the ship "Lake Saba" from Buenos Aires, Argentina 6
  • Ethel Clyburn, aged 23, who arrived in New York, N.Y. in 1921 aboard the ship "Fort Hamilton" from Hamilton, Bermuda 6
  • William Clyburn, aged 23, who arrived in New York in 1922 aboard the ship "Mevania" from Port Lobos, Mexico 6

Australia Clyburn migration to Australia +

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

Clyburn Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century

Contemporary Notables of the name Clyburn (post 1700) +

  • William Dalen "Will" Clyburn (b. 1990), American professional basketball player
  • Robert Clyburn (b. 1952), American professional football player
  • Mignon L. Clyburn (b. 1962), American politician, member of the Federal Communications Commission (2009-)
  • Danny Clyburn (b. 1974), American Major League Baseball outfielder who played from 1997 through 1999
  • James Enos "Jim" Clyburn (b. 1940), American politician, Assistant Democratic Party Leader of the United States House of Representatives (2011-)
  • William Clyburn, American Democratic Party politician, Delegate to Democratic National Convention from South Carolina, 2004; Member, Platform Committee, 2008 8
  • Thomas F. Clyburn, American Democratic Party politician, Delegate to Democratic National Convention from South Carolina, 1944 8
  • T. H. Clyburn, American Democratic Party politician, Alternate Delegate to Democratic National Convention from South Carolina, 1956 8
  • James Enos Clyburn (b. 1940), American Democratic Party politician, South Carolina Commissioner for Human Affairs, 1974-92; U.S. Representative from South Carolina 6th District, 1993- 8
  • C. Frank Clyburn (1893-1942), American Democratic Party politician, Delegate to Democratic National Convention from South Carolina, 1936, 1940 8
  • ... (Another 2 notables are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)


The Clyburn 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.


  1. Mills, A.D., Dictionary of English Place-Names. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-19-869156-4)
  2. Lewis, Samuel, A Topographical Dictionary of England. Institute of Historical Research, 1848, Print.
  3. Reaney, P.H and R.M. Wilson, A Dictionary of English Surnames. London: Routledge, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-415-05737-X)
  4. Rye, Walter, A History of Norfolk. London: Elliot Stock, 62, Paternoster Row, 1885. Print
  5. "What are the 5,000 Most Common Last Names in the U.S.?". NameCensus.com, https://namecensus.com/last-names/
  6. Ellis Island Search retrieved 15th November 2022. Retrieved from https://heritage.statueofliberty.org/passenger-result
  7. Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 20th October 2021). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/eden
  8. The Political Graveyard: Alphabetical Name Index. (Retrieved 2016, January 15) . Retrieved from http://politicalgraveyard.com/alpha/index.html


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