Irbie History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
England

Irbie is a name that was carried to England in the great wave of migration from Normandy following the Norman Conquest of 1066. The Irbie family lived in Lincolnshire, at Irby by the Marsh, or Irby, a township, in the parishes of Thurstaston and Woodchurch, union, and Lower division of the hundred, of Wirrall in Cheshire. "The manor was given to the convent of St. Werburgh in 1093, and continued in the possession of that establishment until the Dissolution, when it was granted to the Dean and Chapter of the new diocese of Chester." 1

Early Origins of the Irbie family

The surname Irbie was first found in Lincolnshire at Irby by the Marsh, a village and civil parish in the East Lindsey district which dates back to c. 1115 when it was listed as Irebi. Irby upon Humber or Irby-on-Humber is a small village and civil parish in North East Lincolnshire. This parish dates back further to the Domesday Book of 1086 when it was listed as Iribi. 2

Other locals include: Irby, a village on the Wirral Peninsula; Ireby, a village in Cumbria; and Ireby, a small hamlet and civil parish bordering on Lancashire and North Yorkshire. The place name is believed to literally mean "farmstead or village of the Irishmen," having derived from the Old Scandinavian name "Irar" + "by." 3

The first record of the family was found in Lincolnshire where Hugh, Ailsi de Yrebi was listed in the Pipe Rolls of 1193 and later in the Pipe Rolls for Cumbria (Cumberland) in 1195. William de Irby was found in Yorkshire in 1280 and later, Richard Yrby was in Gloucestershire in 1341. 4

Edward Irby, (1676-1718) was Member of Parliament for Boston, and was created a Baronet, of Whaplode and Boston in the County of Lincoln, in the Baronetage of England on 13 April 1704. This peerage was elevated to Baron Boston, of Boston in the County of Lincoln in 1761 and continues today.

Early History of the Irbie family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Irbie research. Another 151 words (11 lines of text) covering the years 1068, 1114, 1547, 1577, 1589, 1605, 1610, 1622, 1625, 1676, 1681, 1702, 1707, 1708 and 1718 are included under the topic Early Irbie History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Irbie Spelling Variations

Before English spelling was standardized a few hundred years ago, spelling variations of names were a common occurrence. Elements of Latin, Norman French and other languages became incorporated into English throughout the Middle Ages, and name spellings changed even among the literate. The variations of the surname Irbie include Irby, Irbey, Irbie, Irbye and others.

Early Notables of the Irbie family

Outstanding amongst the family at this time was Anthony Irby (1547-1625), English Master of Chancery, Recorder and Member of Parliament for Boston between 1589 and 1622; Sir Anthony Irby (1577-1610), English Member of Parliament...
Another 33 words (2 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Irbie Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Irbie family

In England at this time, the uncertainty of the political and religious environment of the time caused many families to board ships for distant British colonies in the hopes of finding land and opportunity, and escaping persecution. The voyages were expensive, crowded, and difficult, though, and many arrived in North America sick, starved, and destitute. Those who did make it, however, were greeted with greater opportunities and freedoms that they could have experienced at home. Many of those families went on to make important contributions to the young nations in which they settled. Early immigration records have shown some of the first Irbies to arrive on North American shores: Walter Irby, who came to Virginia in 1652; William Irby, who was on record in Virginia in 1714; and Robert Irby, also on record in Virginia in 1715.

The Irbie 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: Honor fidelitatis praemium
Motto Translation: Honor, the reward of fidelity.

Citations +

Lewis, Samuel, A Topographical Dictionary of England. Institute of Historical Research, 1848, Print.
Williams, Dr Ann. And G.H. Martin, Eds., Domesday Book A Complete Translation. London: Penguin, 1992. Print. (ISBN 0-141-00523-8)
Mills, A.D., Dictionary of English Place-Names. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-19-869156-4)
Reaney, P.H and R.M. Wilson, A Dictionary of English Surnames. London: Routledge, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-415-05737-X)