Show ContentsTabbner History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Tabbner is a name that came to England in the 11th century wave of migration that was set off by the Norman Conquest of 1066. Tabbner is a name for a person who kept a tavern or public house. 1

"A family of this name was long seated at Elmham in Norfolk, where Ralph Le Taverner is mentioned in 1272, and only died out in 1682, leaving younger branches to flourish in Essex, Oxfordshire, Bedfordshire. John Taverner, we are told, distinguished himself at Agincourt." 2

Early Origins of the Tabbner family

The surname Tabbner was first found in Yorkshire where William le Tauerner, Tauernier was listed in the Pipe Rolls of 1175 and 1177. Later, William le Tavenerner was found in Warwickshire in 1268. 3

Up in Scotland, one of the first records found was "Henry le Taverner, a crossbowman, one of the English garrison of Linlithgow Castle in 1305." 4

Early History of the Tabbner family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Tabbner research. Another 252 words (18 lines of text) covering the years 1066, 1305, 1361, 1397, 1402, 1406, 1407, 1417, 1490, 1505, 1545, 1572, 1575, 1584, 1638, 1680, 1690, 1706, 1736, 1739, 1759 and 1768 are included under the topic Early Tabbner History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Tabbner Spelling Variations

Before the advent of the printing press and the first dictionaries, the English language was not standardized. Sound was what guided spelling in the Middle Ages, so one person's name was often recorded under several variations during a single lifetime. Spelling variations were common, even among the names of the most literate people. Known variations of the Tabbner family name include Taverner, Tabenor, Tabiner, Tavernor, Taviner, Tavenor and many more.

Early Notables of the Tabbner family

Outstanding amongst the family at this time was William Taverner (fl. 1397-1407), of Leominster, an English politician, Member of Parliamnet for Leominster in 1397, 1402, 1406 and 1407; William Taverner (fl. 1417), an English politician, Member of the Parliament for Lyme Regis in 1417; and John Taverner (1490-1545), English composer and organist, generally regarded as the most important English composer of his era. Richard Taverner (1505-1575), was...
Another 67 words (5 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Tabbner Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Ireland Migration of the Tabbner family to Ireland

Some of the Tabbner family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt. More information about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Tabbner family

To escape the political and religious chaos of this era, thousands of English families began to migrate to the New World in search of land and freedom from religious and political persecution. The passage was expensive and the ships were dark, crowded, and unsafe; however, those who made the voyage safely were encountered opportunities that were not available to them in their homeland. Many of the families that reached the New World at this time went on to make important contributions to the emerging nations of the United States and Canada. Research into various historical records has revealed some of first members of the Tabbner family to immigrate North America: John Taverner settled in Virginia in 1607; 13 years before the "Mayflower"; Dan and Giles Taverner settled in Virginia in 1654; Thomas Taverner settled in Barbados in 1694.



  1. Barber, Henry, British Family Names London: Elliot Stock, 62 Paternoster Row, 1894. Print.
  2. Cleveland, Dutchess of The Battle Abbey Roll with some Account of the Norman Lineages. London: John Murray, Abermarle Street, 1889. Print. Volume 3 of 3
  3. Reaney, P.H and R.M. Wilson, A Dictionary of English Surnames. London: Routledge, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-415-05737-X)
  4. Black, George F., The Surnames of Scotland Their Origin, Meaning and History. New York: New York Public Library, 1946. Print. (ISBN 0-87104-172-3)


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