Scandinavian names are concentrated in northern and eastern England, the area Danish Vikings colonized between 850 and 1150 and called the Danelaw. Names of Scandinavian settlements can easily be identified through the use of the suffix –by (meaning ‘homestead’ or ‘village’). Place names are usually chosen because of such things as geographical or topographical features, or because of the people who founded a village or burh (a fortified dwelling).

The history of the Hamby name in England has been extensively researched and documented on the website Tate, Taylor, and Southern Families by Ann Blomquist. The first well-known Hamby to use the name was Walter de Hamby, who lived approximately 1090-1127.

Ann has an excellent description of the Hamby coat of arms on Edward Hamby’s page. It’s described as “a blue shield: three gold helmets, a flying hawk with gold wings and beak.”

The image here is from Hamby Family Data by Dr. Wallace B. Hamby who was probably the artist. The coat of arms was granted to one of the Lincolnshire (England) Hambys on 12 March 1568.

Hanby Hall Farm
Hamby Monument
Hanby Hall, Alford
Part Two: Hamby Genealogy, America

This website was last updated May 2024.