Harbine is an ancient Anglo-Saxon name that is derived from the name Rabin or Robin, which are pet forms of the personal name Robert. The name is preceded the Old English prefix har, which means gray. Hence, the surname Harbine literally means gray Rabin or gray Robin.
The surname Harbine was first found in Lancashire, where the family held a family seat in early times.
This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Harbine research. Another 154 words (11 lines of text) covering the years 1591, 1596, 1612, 1618, 1633, 1696, 1790, 1783, 1713 and 1686 are included under the topic Early Harbine History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.
Harbine has been spelled many different ways. Before English spelling became standardized over the last few hundred years, spelling variations in names were a common occurrence. As the English language changed in the Middle Ages, absorbing pieces of Latin and French, as well as other languages, the spelling of people's names also changed considerably, even over a single lifetime. Many variations of the name Harbine have been found, including Horrobin, Horrabin, Horobin, Horabin, Harrobin, Harrabin, Harobin, Harbin, Harbine, Harbyn, Harbynn, Horbyn and many more.
Another 42 words (3 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Harbine Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.
In an attempt to escape the chaos experienced in England, many English families boarded overcrowded and diseased ships sailing for the shores of North America and other British colonies. Those families hardy enough, and lucky enough, to make the passage intact were rewarded with land and a social environment less prone to religious and political persecution. Many of these families became important contributors to the young colonies in which they settled. Early immigration and passenger lists have documented some of the first Harbines to arrive on North American shores: