Show ContentsSibal History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Etymology of Sibal

What does the name Sibal mean?

The name Sibal 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 Sibal family

The surname Sibal 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 Sibal family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Sibal 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 Sibal History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Sibal 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. Sibal has been recorded under many different variations, including Sibbald, Sibbold, Sibballs, Sibbell, Sibal, Sibbet and many more.

Early Notables of the Sibal 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 Sibal Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Sibal family

For many English families, the political and religious disarray that shrouded England made the far away New World an attractive prospect. On cramped disease-ridden ships, thousands migrated to those British colonies that would eventually become Canada and the United States. Those hardy settlers that survived the journey often went on to make important contributions to the emerging nations in which they landed. Analysis of immigration records indicates that some of the first North American immigrants bore the name Sibal or a variant listed above: Robert Sibballs a bonded passenger, who came to Virginia in 1736; John Sibbell, who came to Boston, Massachusetts in 1768; David Sibbald, who arrived in Jamaica in 1772.


Contemporary Notables of the name Sibal (post 1700) +

  • Abner Woodruff Sibal (1921-2000), American Republican politician, Member of Connecticut State Senate, 1956-60; U.S. Representative from Connecticut 4th District, 1961-65; Defeated, 1964, 1966 3


The Sibal 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. The Political Graveyard: Alphabetical Name Index. (Retrieved 2015, October 30) . Retrieved from http://politicalgraveyard.com/alpha/index.html


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