Show ContentsSibbett History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

The name Sibbett is derived from the Old English personal names Saebeald or Sigebeald, which meant "victorius" and "brave." Following the invasion of the Normans in 1066, a similar name arrived from Europe. "An ancient baptismal name, in the Domesday [Book] of Northamptonshire a Sibaldus occurs as a tenant in chief. As a surname it is found in Scotland in the 12th century". 1

Early Origins of the Sibbett family

The surname Sibbett was first found in Balgonie, Fife, where they held a family seat from ancient times. One of the earliest on record was Walter filius (son of) Sibaldi, who witnessed several charters in the early 13th century. A David Sibald witnessed two charters by Duncan, Earl of Carrick in around 1250. Some historians suggest that there were Sibbalds settled in Northampton, prior to the Norman invasion, and that they moved from there to Scotland.

Early History of the Sibbett family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Sibbett research. Another 240 words (17 lines of text) covering the years 1286, 1296, 1386, 1390, 1571, 1575, 1581, 1590, 1602, 1634, 1639, 1641, 1650, 1680, 1722, 1796 and 1806 are included under the topic Early Sibbett History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Sibbett Spelling Variations

The English language only became standardized in the last few centuries; therefore, spelling variations are common among early Anglo-Saxon names. As the form of the English language changed, even the spelling of literate people's names evolved. Sibbett has been recorded under many different variations, including Sibbald, Sibbold, Sibballs, Sibbell, Sibal, Sibbet and many more.

Early Notables of the Sibbett family

Notable amongst the Clan at this time was Gilbert Sibbet, burgess of Aberdeen from 1575.James Sibbald (1590?-1650?), was a Scottish royalist divine, of an ancient family in the Mearns. William Sibbald (died 1650), was a Scottish Royalist, but may be identical with William Sibbald who entered King's College, Aberdeen, in 1634, and graduated M.A. in 1639. 2Sir Robert Sibbald (1641-1722), was a Scottish physician and antiquary. He was the fifth child and third son of David Sibbald, third brother of Sir David Sibbald...
Another 82 words (6 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Sibbett Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.


Sibbett migration to New Zealand +

Emigration to New Zealand followed in the footsteps of the European explorers, such as Captain Cook (1769-70): first came sealers, whalers, missionaries, and traders. By 1838, the British New Zealand Company had begun buying land from the Maori tribes, and selling it to settlers, and, after the Treaty of Waitangi in 1840, many British families set out on the arduous six month journey from Britain to Aotearoa to start a new life. Early immigrants include:

Sibbett Settlers in New Zealand in the 19th Century
  • Miss Sibbett, British settler travelling from London aboard the ship "Wild Duck" arriving in Wellington, New Zealand on 20th December 1867 3

Contemporary Notables of the name Sibbett (post 1700) +

  • Christa Sibbett, American actress, known for Resolution (2013), Eliyah (2015) and Last Chance (2012)
  • Jane Moore Sibbett (b. 1962), American TV Guide Award winning actress and producer, known for her work on Santa Barbara (1984), Herman's Head (1991) and It Takes Two (1995)
  • Wilson Sibbett CBE FRS, Northern Irish physicist noted for his work on ultrashort pulse lasers, Fellow of the Royal Society in 1997, and awarded the Rumford Medal in 2000

North Sea Flood
  • David Sibbett, British citizen, living in Fellixstowe, England,killed in the North Sea Flood, a major storm surge in 1953


The Sibbett 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: Justitia
Motto Translation: Justice.


  1. Lower, Mark Anthony, Patronymica Britannica, A Dictionary of Family Names of the United Kingdom. London: John Russel Smith, 1860. Print.
  2. Smith, George (ed), Dictionary of National Biography. London: Smith, Elder & Co., 1885-1900. Print
  3. New Zealand Yesteryears Passenger Lists 1800 to 1900 (Retrieved 26th March 2019). Retrieved from http://www.yesteryears.co.nz/shipping/passlist.html


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