Ilberd History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
England

Etymology of Ilberd

What does the name Ilberd mean?

The name Ilberd was carried to England in the enormous movement of people that followed the Norman Conquest of 1066. The Ilberd family lived in Dorset, England at the manor of Ilberton, from where they took their name. Early records show the name as a more frequent personal name than a surname having derived from the Old French name "Ilbert." 1 In fact, the earliest record of the name in England was that of Ilbert de Hertford who was listed in the Domesday Book of 1086. 2

Early Origins of the Ilberd family

The surname Ilberd was first found in Dorset where they were anciently Lords of the manor of Iberton in that shire, after the Norman Conquest by William the Conqueror in 1066 A.D. Ilbert was a Norman under-tenant who conjecturally held the King's land, consisting of a rating of four cows.

Early History of the Ilberd family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Ilberd research. Another 150 words (11 lines of text) covering the years 1605 and 1800 are included under the topic Early Ilberd History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Ilberd Spelling Variations

Endless spelling variations are a prevailing characteristic of Norman surnames. Old and Middle English lacked any definite spelling rules, and the introduction of Norman French added an unfamiliar ingredient to the English linguistic stew. French and Latin, the languages of the court, also influenced spellings. Finally, Medieval scribes generally spelled words according to how they sounded, so one person was often referred to by different spellings in different documents. The name has been spelled Illbert, Ilbert, Ibbert and others.

Early Notables of the Ilberd family

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

Migration of the Ilberd family

To escape the political and religious persecution within England at the time, many English families left for the various British colonies abroad. The voyage was extremely difficult, though, and the cramped, dank ships caused many to arrive in the New World diseased and starving. But for those who made it, the trip was most often worth it. Many of the families who arrived went on to make valuable contributions to the emerging nations of Canada and the United States. An inquiry into the early roots of North American families reveals a number of immigrants bearing the name Ilberd or a variant listed above: Charles Ibbert who landed in America in 1771.

The Ilberd Motto +

The motto was originally a war cry or slogan. Mottoes first began to be shown with arms in the 14th and 15th centuries, but were not in general use until the 17th century. Thus the oldest coats of arms generally do not include a motto. Mottoes seldom form part of the grant of arms: Under most heraldic authorities, a motto is an optional component of the coat of arms, and can be added to or changed at will; many families have chosen not to display a motto.

Motto: Nulla rosa sine spinis
Motto Translation: No rose without thorns.

Sources +

Reaney, P.H and R.M. Wilson, A Dictionary of English Surnames. London: Routledge, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-415-05737-X)
Williams, Dr Ann. And G.H. Martin, Eds., Domesday Book A Complete Translation. London: Penguin, 1992. Print. (ISBN 0-141-00523-8)