Whybrow History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

• Origins Available:
• England

Etymology of Whybrow

The earliest origins of the name Whybrow date back to the time of the Anglo-Saxons. The name is derived from Wigburh, a feminine name meaning "war-fortress." It was recorded once in 901 (as a personal name) and did not appear again until the 12th century. The record of the name from the 12th century is from Suffolk, where Wyburgh was recorded in church records in Bury, sometime between the years 1182 and 1211. This makes this name a metronymic vernacular name. The vernacular or regional naming tradition is the oldest and most pervasive type of metronymic surname. According to this custom, names were originally composed of vocabulary elements from the local language. Vernacular names that were derived from ancient Germanic personal names have cognates in most European languages. For example, the court of Charlemagne (742-814) was Christian and Latin-speaking, but the Frankish dialect of Old German was commonly used for personal names. Vernacular names were widespread throughout Normandy. Accordingly, many typical English and French names are in fact, originally of Germanic origin and often have cognates in other European countries.

Early Origins of the Whybrow family

Early History of the Whybrow family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Whybrow research. Another 67 words (5 lines of text) covering the year 1461 is included under the topic Early Whybrow History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Whybrow Spelling Variations

Until quite recently, the English language has lacked a definite system of spelling rules. Consequently, Anglo-Saxon surnames are characterized by a multitude of spelling variations. Changes in Anglo-Saxon names were influenced by the evolution of the English language, as it incorporated elements of French, Latin, and other languages. Although Medieval scribes and church officials recorded names as they sounded, so it is common to find one person referred to by several different spellings of his surname, even the most literate people varied the spelling of their own names. Variations of the name Whybrow include Wybrew, Wibbery, Wybbery, Whybrew, Whybrow, Wyebrough, Wybrow and many more.

Early Notables of the Whybrow family

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