Golbay History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
England

Etymology of Golbay

What does the name Golbay mean?

The present generation of the Golbay family is only the most recent to bear a name that dates back to the ancient Anglo-Saxon culture of Britain. Their name comes from having lived in Colby, a parish in the county of Norfolk.

Early Origins of the Golbay family

The surname Golbay was first found in Norfolk where they held a family seat from very ancient times, some say well before the Norman Conquest and the arrival of Duke William at Hastings in 1066 A.D.

Early History of the Golbay family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Golbay research. Another 80 words (6 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Golbay History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Golbay Spelling Variations

Until the dictionary, an invention of only the last few hundred years, the English language lacked any comprehensive system of spelling rules. Consequently, spelling variations in names are frequently found in early Anglo-Saxon and later Anglo-Norman documents. One person's name was often spelled several different ways over a lifetime. The recorded variations of Golbay include Colby, Colbey, Coalby and others.

Early Notables of the Golbay family

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

Migration of the Golbay family

Thousands of English families boarded ships sailing to the New World in the hope of escaping the unrest found in England at this time. Although the search for opportunity and freedom from persecution abroad took the lives of many because of the cramped conditions and unsanitary nature of the vessels, the opportunity perceived in the growing colonies of North America beckoned. Many of the settlers who survived the journey went on to make important contributions to the transplanted cultures of their adopted countries. The Golbay were among these contributors, for they have been located in early North American records: Anthony Colby and his wife Susannah who settled at Salem Massachusetts in 1630; Henry Colby settled in New England in 1633; Anne Colby settled in Virginia in 1655..