Show ContentsDeable History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Etymology of Deable

What does the name Deable mean?

The ancient Pictish-Scottish family that first used the name Deable lived on the lands of Dipple in Morayshire where the name can be found since very early times. 1 The name means dweller by the hollow and is originally derived from the personal name Theobald. 2

Early Origins of the Deable family

The surname Deable was first found in Moray, where the first record was that of Walter de Duppul had a yearly pension of 3 marks from the bishop of Moray in 1328. Rev. John Scott (d. 1738), minister of Dippie, emigrated to the American colonies, became minister of Overwharton parish, Stafford county, Virginia, and called his estate there Dipple.

In England, the name also became Tipple and "interchanges between D and T were very common." 2

Early rolls in England show Ralph Dibald in Yorkshire; and William Dibel in London as listed in the Hundredorum Rolls of 1273. 2

Early History of the Deable family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Deable research. Another 167 words (12 lines of text) covering the years 1328, 1332, 1464, 1476, 1664, 1730, 1761, 1788 and 1793 are included under the topic Early Deable History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Deable Spelling Variations

The arts of spelling and translation were yet in their infancies when surnames began, so there are an enormous number of spelling variations of the names in early Scottish records. This is a particular problem with Scottish names because of the numerous times a name might have been loosely translated to English from Gaelic and back. Deable has been spelled Dibble, Dipple, Diball, Dybell, Dyball, Dippel, Diable, Dibel, Dible, Tipple, Tippell, Tibble, Dibbs, Dibben, Dibbens and many more.

Early Notables of the Deable family

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

Migration of the Deable family

This oppression forced many Scots to leave their homelands. Most of these chose North America as their destination. Although the journey left many sick and poor, these immigrants were welcomed the hardy with great opportunity. Many of these settlers stood up for their newfound freedom in the American War of Independence. More recently, Scots abroad have recovered much of their collective heritage through highland games and other patriotic functions and groups. An examination of passenger and immigration lists has located various settlers bearing the name Deable: Francis Dibble who settled in Massachusetts in 1635; Nathanial Dibble settled in Virginia in 1654; Thomas Dibble settled in Massachusetts in 1635; Francis Dible settled in Massachusetts 1635.



  1. Lower, Mark Anthony, Patronymica Britannica, A Dictionary of Family Names of the United Kingdom. London: John Russel Smith, 1860. Print.
  2. 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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