Hoblyn History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
England

The distinguished surname Hoblyn emerged among the industrious people of Flanders, which was an important trading partner and political ally of Britain during the Middle Ages. As a result of the frequent commercial intercourse between the Flemish and English nations, many Flemish migrants settled in Britain. In early times, people were known by only a single name. However, as the population grew and people traveled further afield, it became increasingly necessary to assume an additional name to differentiate between bearers of the same personal name. One of the most common classes of surname is the patronymic surname, which was usually derived from the first name of the person's father. Flemish surnames of this type are often characterized by the diminutive suffix -kin, which became very frequent in England during the 14th century. The surname Hoblyn is derived from Hobb, a pet form of the personal name Robert. The surname Hoblyn features a double diminutive formed from the suffixes -el and -in. 1

The name may have been Norman French as two sources note. The Magni Rotuli Scaccarii Normanniae lists Ranulph Hupelin in Normandy in 1198.2

Another source claims the name is "from the French, Houblinne, Oblin; a personal name." 3

Early Origins of the Hoblyn family

The surname Hoblyn was first found in Cornwall where they were found principally in Nanswhydden. The Hoblyns of Nanswhydden bought from the Blewett family part of an original estate in the barton of Colon or Cloan. The other moiety passed from Trefusis to the Earl of Radnor as early as the year 1620. This was afterwards purchased of the representatives of the last earl by the Hoblyns, and the whole is now the property of the Reverend Robert Hoblyn. 4

"Within the church [of St. Columb, Cornwall] are several monuments and grave stones, belonging to the families of Arundell, Hoblyn of Nanswhydden, Hoblyn of Tresaddarne, Pendarves, Vyvyan, and Sir Richard Bealinge." 4

"The manor of Nanswhydden originally belonged to the family of that name, and continued in their possession until the year 1581, when it was purchased by the Hoblyn family; and from that period until within these few years, it was their principal residence. It is still their property; but the large and elegant mansion exhibits nothing but a scene of desolation. Nanswhydden House, as it lately stood, was begun in the year 1740, at which time the eastern wing was added to the old house that then occupied the site, and was left standing by Robert Hoblyn, Esquire, then member of parliament for Bristol." 4

In Essex, early Colchester records show Hobelyn Flemyng in 1373 and William Hobelyn in 1374. 5

Early History of the Hoblyn family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Hoblyn research. Another 91 words (6 lines of text) covering the years 1607, 1632, 1660, 1687, 1694, 1695, 1697, 1706, 1710, 1711, 1712 and 1756 are included under the topic Early Hoblyn History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Hoblyn Spelling Variations

Flemish surnames are characterized by a large number of spelling variations. One reason for this is that medieval English lacked definite spelling rules. The spellings of surnames were also influenced by the official court languages, which were French and Latin. Names were rarely spelled consistently in medieval times. Scribes and church officials recorded names as they sounded, rather than adhering to specific spelling rules, and people often had their names registered in several different forms throughout their lives. One of the greatest reasons for change is the linguistic uniqueness of the Flemish settlers in England, who spoke a language closely related to Dutch. The pronunciation and spelling of Flemish names were often altered to suit the tastes of English-speaking people. In many cases, the first, final, or middle syllables of surnames were eliminated. The name has been spelled Hoblyn, Hobblyn, Hobblin, Hoblin, Hobling and others.

Early Notables of the Hoblyn family

Prominent in the family at this time was

John Hoblyn (ca.1660-1706), an English lawyer and Member of Parliament for Bodmin (1695-1706.)
Robert Hoblyn (1710-1756), was a Cornish book collector, born at Nanswhyden House, and baptised at St. Columb Major in Cornwall 5 May 1710. His father, Francis Hoblyn, born in 1687, a J.P. for Cornwal...

Hoblyn migration to Australia +

Emigration to Australia followed the First Fleets of convicts, tradespeople and early settlers. Early immigrants include:

Hoblyn Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century

Miss Mary Hoblyn, (b. 1822), aged 27, Cornish teacher from Fowey, Cornwall, UK travelling aboard the ship "Kate" arriving in New South Wales, Australia on 23rd September 1849 6

Hoblyn migration to West Indies +

The British first settled the British West Indies around 1604. They made many attempts but failed in some to establish settlements on the Islands including Saint Lucia and Grenada. By 1627 they had managed to establish settlements on St. Kitts (St. Christopher) and Barbados, but by 1641 the Spanish had moved in and destroyed some of these including those at Providence Island. The British continued to expand the settlements including setting the First Federation in the British West Indies by 1674; some of the islands include Barbados, Bermuda, Cayman Island, Turks and Caicos, Jamaica and Belize then known as British Honduras. By the 1960's many of the islands became independent after the West Indies Federation which existed from 1958 to 1962 failed due to internal political conflicts. After this a number of Eastern Caribbean islands formed a free association. 7

Hoblyn Settlers in West Indies in the 17th Century

Christopher Hoblyn who settled in Barbados in 1685

Contemporary Notables of the name Hoblyn (post 1700) +

Richard Dennis Hoblyn (1803-1886), English educational writer, eldest son of Richard Hoblyn, rector of All Saints, Colchester, born there on 9 April 1803
Tom Hoblyn, British garden designer who has been awarded one gold, two silver and three silver-gilt medals at the Chelsea Flower Show since 2008
Sir Edward Hoblyn Bolitho KBE CBD SO (1882-1969), Cornish landowner and politician, Chairman of Cornwall County Council from 1941 to 1952 and Lord Lieutenant of Cornwall from 1936 to 1962

Citations +

Bardsley, C.W, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames: With Special American Instances. Wiltshire: Heraldry Today, 1901. Print. (ISBN 0-900455-44-6)
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)
Barber, Henry, British Family Names London: Elliot Stock, 62 Paternoster Row, 1894. Print.
Hutchins, Fortescue, The History of Cornwall, from the Earliest Records and Traditions to the Present Time. London: William Penaluna, 1824. Print
Reaney, P.H and R.M. Wilson, A Dictionary of English Surnames. London: Routledge, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-415-05737-X)
Cornwall Online Parish Clerks. (Retrieved 2018, May 30). Ships' Passenger Lists of Arrivals in New South Wales on (1828 - 1842, 1848 - 1849) [PDF]. Retrieved from http://www.opc-cornwall.org/Resc/pdfs/emigration_nsw_1838_on.pdf
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/British_West_Indies