| ![Show Contents]() Pilbin History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms
Etymology of PilbinWhat does the name Pilbin mean? Pilbin is a name of ancient Norman origin. It arrived in England with the Norman Conquest of 1066. The Pilbin 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 Pilbin familyThe surname Pilbin 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 Pilbin familyThis web page shows only a small excerpt of our Pilbin research. Another 95 words (7 lines of text) covering the years 1172, 1327 and 1347 are included under the topic Early Pilbin History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible. Pilbin Spelling VariationsEndless 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 Pilbeam, Philbeam, MacPhilbin, Pilbean, Philbean, Pilbin and many more. Early Notables of the Pilbin familyMore information is included under the topic Early Pilbin Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible. Migration of the Pilbin family to IrelandSome of the Pilbin 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 Pilbin familyTo 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 Pilbin 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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