Show ContentsDibbens History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Etymology of Dibbens

What does the name Dibbens mean?

The Dibbens family name was first used by descendants of the Pictish people of ancient Scotland. It is a name for someone who 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 Dibbens family

The surname Dibbens 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 Dibbens family

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

Dibbens Spelling Variations

Scribes in the Middle Ages did not have access to a set of spelling rules. They spelled according to sound, the result was a great number of spelling variations. In various documents, Dibbens 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 Dibbens family

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

Migration of the Dibbens family

The cruelties suffered under the new government forced many to leave their ancient homeland for the freedom of the North American colonies. Those who arrived safely found land, freedom, and opportunity for the taking. These hardy settlers gave their strength and perseverance to the young nations that would become the United States and Canada. Immigration and passenger lists have shown many early immigrants bearing the name Dibbens: 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.


HMS Vanguard
  • Mr. Charles E. Dibbens (1901-1917), British signal boy, who was aboard the ship "HMS Vanguard" when she exploded in the Scapa Flow off the Orkney Islands, Scotland on 9th July 1917


  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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