Show ContentsKilban History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

The origins of the Kilban name lie with England's ancient Anglo-Saxon culture. It comes from when the family lived in one of three places: Kilbourne, a township, in the parish of Horsley, union of Belper, hundred of Morleston and Litchurch, in Derbyshire; or Kilburn, a hamlet, in Middlesex; or Kilburn, a parish in the North Riding of Yorkshire. 1

It is generally thought that the Yorkshire parish is the oldest as it was listed in the Domesday Book of 1086 as Chileburne. 2 The Middlesex (Greater London) parish dates back to c. 1130 when it was known as Cuneburna and finally the Derbyshire parish was known as Kileburn in 1179. All were derived from the Old English "stream by a kiln 3 or "stream of a man called Cylla." 4

Early Origins of the Kilban family

The surname Kilban was first found in Derbyshire where Ralph le Kylburn was listed in the Hundredorum Rolls of 1273. 5

A few years later in 1284, Richard de Killeburne was listed in Yorkshire and later again, Thomas de Kilburn was similarly listed there in 1305. 6

Early History of the Kilban family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Kilban research. Another 144 words (10 lines of text) covering the years 1273, 1576, 1587, 1605, 1623, 1626, 1746 and 1807 are included under the topic Early Kilban History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Kilban Spelling Variations

Before the last few hundred years, the English language had no fast system of spelling rules. For that reason, spelling variations are commonly found in early Anglo-Saxon surnames. Over the years, many variations of the name Kilban were recorded, including Kilborne, Kilbourn, Kilbourne, Kilburn, Kilburne and others.

Early Notables of the Kilban family

Another 36 words (3 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Kilban Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Kilban family

To escape oppression and starvation at that time, many English families left for the "open frontiers" of the New World with all its perceived opportunities. In droves people migrated to the many British colonies, those in North America in particular, paying high rates for passages in cramped, unsafe ships. Although many of the settlers did not make the long passage alive, those who did see the shores of North America perceived great opportunities before them. Many of the families that came from England went on to make essential contributions to the emerging nations of Canada and the United States. Research into various historical records revealed some of first members of the Kilban family emigrate to North America: Thomas and his wife Frances Kilborne along with children Margaret, Lydia, Joe, Francis, Elizabeth, Margaret, Mary, George, and Thomas, settled in Boston in 1634.



  1. Lewis, Samuel, A Topographical Dictionary of England. Institute of Historical Research, 1848, Print.
  2. Williams, Dr Ann. And G.H. Martin, Eds., Domesday Book A Complete Translation. London: Penguin, 1992. Print. (ISBN 0-141-00523-8)
  3. Smith, Eldson Coles, New Dictionary of American Family Names New York: Harper & Row, 1956. Print
  4. Mills, A.D., Dictionary of English Place-Names. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-19-869156-4)
  5. Bardsley, C.W, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames: With Special American Instances. Wiltshire: Heraldry Today, 1901. Print. (ISBN 0-900455-44-6)
  6. Reaney, P.H and R.M. Wilson, A Dictionary of English Surnames. London: Routledge, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-415-05737-X)


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