Show ContentsMabbend History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

The Welsh name Mabbend is derived from the hills and Moors of Wales where a very particular Celtic people, known as the Britons, thrived. This surname is derived from the Welsh personal name Mabon, which means a child or great son.

According to Welsh literature and mythology, Mabon ap Modron, the son of Modron, is a member of King Arthur's war band.

Early Origins of the Mabbend family

The surname Mabbend was first found in Cornwall, at St. Mabyn, a parish, in the union of Bodmin, hundred of Trigg. 1

"St. Mabyn is indebted for its name to one of the large sainted family that came into this country from Wales. One of these, a female, whose name was Maben, fixed her hermitage in this district, which still retains her name. This name seems to have been appropriated to the parish at an early period; since in the first valor in 1294, we find the name of Ecclesia Sanctae. Mabenae applied to the present rectory not far from Wadebridge. Of the personal history of this female saint, very little is at present known." 2

Early History of the Mabbend family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Mabbend research. Another 92 words (7 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Mabbend History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Mabbend Spelling Variations

Although there are comparatively few Welsh surnames, they have a great many spelling variations. Variations of Welsh names began almost immediately after their acceptance within Welsh society. In the Middle Ages, it was up to priests and the few other people that recorded names in official documents to decide how to spell the names that they heard. Variations that occurred because of improper recording increased dramatically as the names were later transliterated into English. The Brythonic Celtic language of Wales, known by natives as Cymraeg, featured many highly inflected sounds that could not be properly captured by the English language. Spelling variations were, however, also carried out according to an individual's design: a branch loyalty within the family, a religious adherence, or even patriotic affiliations were all indicated by the particular variation of one's name. The spelling variations of the name Mabbend have included Maben, Mabon, Mabin, Mabben and others.

Early Notables of the Mabbend family

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

Migration of the Mabbend family

The Welsh began to emigrate to North America in the late 1800s and early 1900s in search of land, work, and freedom. Those that arrived helped shape the industry, commerce, and the cultural heritage of both Canada and the United States. The records regarding immigration and passenger show a number of people bearing the name Mabbend: Edward Mabin settled in Virginia in 1623; Andrew Maben arrived in Philadelphia in 1864; another Andrew Mabin arrived in Philadelphia in 1879.



  1. Lewis, Samuel, A Topographical Dictionary of England. Institute of Historical Research, 1848, Print.
  2. Hutchins, Fortescue, The History of Cornwall, from the Earliest Records and Traditions to the Present Time. London: William Penaluna, 1824. Print


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