| ![Show Contents]() Philbean History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms
Etymology of PhilbeanWhat does the name Philbean mean? Philbean is a name that first reached England following the Norman Conquest of 1066. The Philbean family lived in Sussex, at the town of Pilbeam, which is now lost to the map. 1 Another source claims the name was derived from "A species of tree which I cannot identify, probably so named from its suitableness for the shaft of a spear; Anglo-Saxon pyl. I have not met with this name out of the county of Sussex, where it is sometimes pronounced Pilbin." 2 And another source notes the name to “barker of trees.” It is not a trade name at all, but purely local, derived from the Kent manor of Peltebeme. Possibly the peeling of trees may come into it, for the manorial landmark may have been some “peeled tree.” 3 Early Origins of the Philbean familyThe surname Philbean was first found in Sussex where Adam de Peltebhem was listed in the Subsidy Rolls of 1296. The same rolls but at a later date included Thomas Peltebem in 1327. 1 There is a presumed close relationship to the Burke family, and Philbin, which later became Pilbeam, was descended from the grandson of Richard de Burgo (Burke) Governor of Ireland in 1219 whose name was Philipin. In Ireland they were recognized as 'English' and some branches of this family adopted that name also. Others adopted the name MacPhilbin. The variant Phelippon was listed as an early Huguenot name in Ireland. (O'Hart) Meanwhile in England, the main branch Pilbeam or Philbeam, moved back to Sussex and settled there. Early History of the Philbean familyThis web page shows only a small excerpt of our Philbean research. Another 95 words (7 lines of text) covering the years 1172, 1327 and 1347 are included under the topic Early Philbean History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible. Philbean Spelling VariationsIt is only in the last few hundred years that the English language has been standardized. For that reason, Anglo-Norman surnames like Philbean are characterized by many spelling variations. Scribes and monks in the Middle Ages spelled names they sounded, so it is common to find several variations that refer to a single person. As the English language changed and incorporated elements of other European languages such as Norman French and Latin, even literate people regularly changed the spelling of their names. The variations of the name Philbean include Pilbeam, Philbeam, MacPhilbin, Pilbean, Philbean, Pilbin and many more. Early Notables of the Philbean familyMore information is included under the topic Early Philbean Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible. Migration of the Philbean family to IrelandSome of the Philbean family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt.
Another 52 words (4 lines of text) about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible. Migration of the Philbean familyFaced with the chaos present in England at that time, many English families looked towards the open frontiers of the New World with its opportunities to escape oppression and starvation. People migrated to North America, as well as Australia and Ireland in droves, paying exorbitant rates for passages in cramped, unsafe ships. Many of the settlers did not make the long passage alive, but those who did see the shores of North America were welcomed with great opportunity. Many of the families that came from England went on to make essential contributions to the emerging nations of Canada and the United States. Some of the first immigrants to cross the Atlantic and come to North America carried the name Philbean, or a variant listed above: Michael Philbin, who settled in Baltimore, Md, in 1834; John Pilburn, who settled in Texas in 1835; and David Pilbeam, who was recorded in the census of Ontario, Canada in 1871..
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: Ung roy, ung foy, ung loy
Motto Translation: One king, one faith, one law.
- Reaney, P.H and R.M. Wilson, A Dictionary of English Surnames. London: Routledge, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-415-05737-X)
- Lower, Mark Anthony, Patronymica Britannica, A Dictionary of Family Names of the United Kingdom. London: John Russel Smith, 1860. Print.
- Smith, Eldson Coles, New Dictionary of American Family Names New York: Harper & Row, 1956. Print
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