Cumbey History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

• Origins Available:
• England

Etymology of Cumbey

The origins of the Cumbey name lie with England's ancient Anglo-Saxon culture. It comes from when the family lived in a small valley; the surname Cumbey is often derived from the Old English word cumb, which means valley. In this case, it 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. Alternately, the surname Cumbey may be derived from residence in one of the many places called Comb, Combe, or Coombe. In this case, it belongs to the large category of Anglo-Saxon habitation names, which are derived from pre-existing names for towns, villages, parishes, or farmsteads.

Early Origins of the Cumbey family

Early History of the Cumbey family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Cumbey research. Another 82 words (6 lines of text) covering the years 1269, 1317 and 1651 are included under the topic Early Cumbey History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Cumbey Spelling Variations

Before the last few hundred years, the English language had no fast system of spelling rules. For that reason, spelling variations are commonly found in early Anglo-Saxon surnames. Over the years, many variations of the name Cumbey were recorded, including Coombes, Cumbey, Cumbie, Coomes, Combes, Comes, Cumbay, Cumby, Coomby, Coombey and many more.

Early Notables of the Cumbey family

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

Migration of the Cumbey family

To escape oppression and starvation at that time, many English families left for the "open frontiers" of the New World with all its perceived opportunities. In droves people migrated to the many British colonies, those in North America in particular, paying high rates for passages in cramped, unsafe ships. Although many of the settlers did not make the long passage alive, those who did see the shores of North America perceived great opportunities before them. Many of the families that came from England went on to make essential contributions to the emerging nations of Canada and the United States. Research into various historical records revealed some of first members of the Cumbey family emigrate to North America: Anthony Coombe who settled there around the year 1640. He was a blacksmith by trade. According to tradition Anthony's parents wanted him to become a monk and gave him to a group of priests. He escaped later with an English Bible, and became a blacksmith in the town of Wells, where he defended his farm against the Indians. Henry Coombs bought land on Georgetown Island in 1676.