What About Devon?

Michael and Julian Gribble in an article published in 'The Devon Family Historian' in February 1998 presented the results of a fascinating study into the origin of their family name Gribble. These two who had noted the rarity of the name Gribble in England were surprised to discover how common the name was in Australia and confirmed that most had originally come from Redruth in Cornwall or a village in the vicinity. They concluded on the basis of their study that these Cornish Gribbles originated from Devon in the early 1700s 'when a number of Gribbles migrated to the copper mining region of Cornwall'. Furthermore they appear to link (by assertion it seems as there does not appear to be clear cut evidence in their paper) Devon Gribbles back through time to the year 1330 when 'William-atte-Gribbele's name appeared in the Devon Subsidy Rolls'. About the time they say 'surnames were just coming into general use'. What evidence might exist to support or refute this linkage?

A second volume uncovered in Kensington's library was 'The Surnames of Devon' authored by David Postles and published 1995 by the Leopard's Head Press. This rather dry academic in style book covers the period from approximately the earliest records until the late middle ages ie until circa 1600. What I found incredibly interesting was the 'absense' of the surname Gribble and any homophone. Especially so given the text includes in it's coverage such Gribble clusters as Barnstaple, Bovey Tracy, and Crediton. Furthermore Postles asserts that Devon names were 'very stable'" until a very late time - that is resistant to outside influences and new entrants.

I am led to conclude therefore that Gribbles (or the name Gribble more particularly) are 'not' old Devonians! Notwithstanding the reference in 'The Gribble One Name Study' website to 'Walter atte Gribbele 1330 Subsidy Rolls (Devon)'.

Cornish Antecedents
Other Possibilities
What Now?