Show ContentsDalbin History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Today's generation of the Dalbin family bears a name that was brought to England by the migration wave that was started by the Norman Conquest of 1066. The Dalbin family lived in Yortkshire. The name derives, however, from the family's former place of residence, Auby, Normandy, where they would have been referred to as D'Auby, meaning from Auby. 1

Alternatively the name could have been a local name meaning "farmstead or village in a valley," 2 and this may explain the multiple parishes so called. The Yorkshire and Leicestershire parishes date back to the Domesday Book of 1086 when they were each spelt "Dalbi." 3

Early Origins of the Dalbin family

The surname Dalbin was first found in the North Riding of Yorkshire at Dalby, a parish, in the union of Easingwould, wapentake of Bulmer. 4 Dalby is also a parish in Lincolnshire, and Dalby Magna is found in Leicestershire. Dalby on the Woods or Old Dalby is also found in Leicestershire.

The earliest records of the family were found in the Yorkshire Poll Tax Rolls of 1379: Willelmus de Dalby, osteler; and Matilda Dalby. 5

Early History of the Dalbin family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Dalbin research. Another 108 words (8 lines of text) covering the years 1220, 1379, 1421, 1435, 1455, 1581, 1588, 1589, 1616, 1625, 1627, 1631, 1633, 1662, 1672, 1683, 1686, 1694, 1707, 1710, 1821, 1832, 1837 and 1870 are included under the topic Early Dalbin History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Dalbin Spelling Variations

Before English spelling was standardized a few hundred years ago, spelling variations of names were a common occurrence. Elements of Latin, Norman French and other languages became incorporated into English throughout the Middle Ages, and name spellings changed even among the literate. The variations of the surname Dalbin include Dalby, Dalbie, Daylby, Dailby, D'Alby, D'Aubly and many more.

Early Notables of the Dalbin family

Outstanding amongst the family at this time was Richard Dalby (died before 1455), an English politician, Member of the Parliament of England for Gloucester from 1421 to 1435; Robert Dalby (died 1589), an English Catholic priest and martyr; Edward Dalby (ca.1616-1672), a Recorder of Reading, Berkshire; William Dolben (c. 1588-1631), a Welsh clergyman from Pembrokeshire; his son, Sir William Dolben KS KC (c.1627-1694), an English judge who...
Another 66 words (5 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Dalbin Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Dalbin family

In England at this time, the uncertainty of the political and religious environment of the time caused many families to board ships for distant British colonies in the hopes of finding land and opportunity, and escaping persecution. The voyages were expensive, crowded, and difficult, though, and many arrived in North America sick, starved, and destitute. Those who did make it, however, were greeted with greater opportunities and freedoms that they could have experienced at home. Many of those families went on to make important contributions to the young nations in which they settled. Early immigration records have shown some of the first Dalbins to arrive on North American shores: William Dalbie who settled in Virginia in 1623; Joane Dalbey settled in Barbados in 1679; John Dalby settled in Virginia in 1679; Susan Dalby settled in Maryland in 1736.



The Dalbin 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: In Deo spero
Motto Translation: I hope in God.


  1. The Norman People and Their Existing Descendants in the British Dominions and the United States Of America. Baltimore: Genealogical Publishing, 1975. Print. (ISBN 0-8063-0636-X)
  2. Mills, A.D., Dictionary of English Place-Names. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-19-869156-4)
  3. Williams, Dr Ann. And G.H. Martin, Eds., Domesday Book A Complete Translation. London: Penguin, 1992. Print. (ISBN 0-141-00523-8)
  4. Lewis, Samuel, A Topographical Dictionary of England. Institute of Historical Research, 1848, Print.
  5. Bardsley, C.W, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames: With Special American Instances. Wiltshire: Heraldry Today, 1901. Print. (ISBN 0-900455-44-6)


Houseofnames.com on Facebook