Show ContentsDaylby History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Daylby is an ancient Norman name that arrived in England after the Norman Conquest of 1066. The Daylby 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 Daylby family

The surname Daylby 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 Daylby family

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

Daylby Spelling Variations

Endless spelling variations are a prevailing characteristic of Norman surnames. Old and Middle English lacked any definite spelling rules, and the introduction of Norman French added an unfamiliar ingredient to the English linguistic stew. French and Latin, the languages of the court, also influenced spellings. Finally, Medieval scribes generally spelled words according to how they sounded, so one person was often referred to by different spellings in different documents. The name has been spelled Dalby, Dalbie, Daylby, Dailby, D'Alby, D'Aubly and many more.

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

Migration of the Daylby family

To escape the political and religious persecution within England at the time, many English families left for the various British colonies abroad. The voyage was extremely difficult, though, and the cramped, dank ships caused many to arrive in the New World diseased and starving. But for those who made it, the trip was most often worth it. Many of the families who arrived went on to make valuable contributions to the emerging nations of Canada and the United States. An inquiry into the early roots of North American families reveals a number of immigrants bearing the name Daylby or a variant listed above: 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 Daylby 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)


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