Cubbon Family History & Genealogy

Summary

Cubbon is a Gaelg (Manx Gaelic) surname, of exclusive origin from the Isle of Man. The surname has a rich and diverse history, in the culture of the Gaels. One of the first recorded spellings of the surname, was its extinct variant 'M'Cubyn' dated from 1376 in the Scottish Highlands. Where it was first documented, in the registers of the charters of the Earldom of Morton. Which was commissioned during the reign of Robert II of Scotland (1371-1390). The name contracted in to the now also extinct 'MacCubbon.' Eventually it was recorded in its modern form 'Cubbon' in 1430, on the Isle of Man.

History

As with most Gaelic patronymic surnames, Cubbon originally possessed the variations of the Mac (son of) prefixes (Mak, Mc & M’), which were once universally used in surnames on the Isle of Man. However, by the seventeenth century the prefix had almost completely disappeared. When it fell out of use, the final consonant of Mac became the first consonant of the surname. Because of this, many Manx surnames of Gaelic origin characteristically begin with the letters C, K, or Q. The development of surnames on the Isle of Man are deeply interlinked with its history. During different eras of foreign rule, Manx culture has been significantly influenced by its Irish, Scottish and Norwegian colonisers. The Gaels from Ireland introduced language, culture, and naming traditions. Later on in its history, the Isle of Man was also sacked and came under the influence of Scottish rule, the surname Cubbon was believed to have been contracted from either Scottish or Irish origins. Evidence of the surname's origin on the Isle of Man is documented in the Chronicles of Mann, where it is associated with the Scottish Norse-Gael folk hero Somerled MacGilbert also known as Somairle, Somhairle, Somhairlidh, and Sumarliði, who invaded the island during the latter half of the 12th century. Known also by his anglicised name of 'The MacGilbert’ or its Gaelic counterpart 'MacGillebrìde' his descendants dominated the political landscape of the Isle of Man for centuries after his rule. This is the first known instance of the name Gilbert/Gillebrìde on the island, and the origin of the Cubbon surname in Mann. Therefore, it is commonly believed that the Cubbons are descended from Manx royalty of the Scottish dynasty and of Norse-Gael origin.

Cubbon and its numerous variations are commonly associated in Ireland with the descendants of Ghiobúin Mac Gearailt, a younger son of Eoghan Mac Gearailt, ancestor of the houses of Kildare and Desmond. In Scotland it exists as variations of the sept name of the highland Scottish clan Buchanan, after the clan chief Giobùin Boghchanon.

Name Origin

The surname Cubbon is patronymic, indicating it's derived from the personal name of a male ancestor. Cubbon is a Manx contraction of either the Irish and Scottish surnames MacGillebrìde, MacGhiobùin and/or Mac Ghiobúin, meaning ‘son of Ghiobúin’. The personal name Ghiobúin, Gillebrìde and Gilbert can be translated in its element forms as the following: pledge, hostage, noble youth, bright, and famous. The literal translation of the Manx surname Cubbon can be interpreted as 'son of the noble and famous one'.

Spellings & Pronunciations

Cubbon exists in the three branches of the Goidelic language tree. There are numerous documented variations in Gaelg (Manx), Gaeilge (Irish) and Gàidhlig (Scottish Gaelic). The translations of the surnames suggest a common ancestor however, each extant surname now represents a clan separate from one another. As with most Manx surnames, Cubbon has no association with any coat of arms or heraldry. As the practice was never fully adopted by the Manx people, although Irish or Scottish variant surnames might possess a coat of arms, they are of no modern relation or association. The variants of the Cubbon clan name, recorded in Scotland, Ireland and the Isle of Man include: M'Cubyn, M’Cubyne, Macobyn, MakCubeyn, M’Cubbon, MacCubbon, McCubbon, MacCubbin, McCubbin, MacCubben, MacCubbing, MacGibbon, McGibbon, MacKibbon, McGiobúin, MacGiobúin, Gybone, McKibbon, Cubbin, Cuibein, MacCuibein, McCuibein, Chubbon, Cubon, Cubin, Cubben, Cubbing, MacKibbin, M'Kibbin, MacKibbing, M'Kibbins, Macibbins, M'Kibin, MacKebbin, MacKabbin, Macibin, Mackbbin, M'Kibins, Macaibbin, MacKibbian, MacGilbert, McGilbert, MacGillbride and MacGillebride. During attempted periods of anglicisation of Ireland, Scotland and the Isle of Man. Gaelic surnames were often anglicised, and associated surnames are recorded as: Gibbon, Gibon, Gibbons, Gibson, Gibbonson, Gilbert, and Gilbertson.

Nationality & Ethnicity

On the Isle of Mann, the surname is commonly associated with the south in the parishes of Rushen and Malew. Cubbon is often referred to as a southern name, from the opinions of traditional Manx people. However, Cubbons can be found throughout the island in modern times. A recent DNA project of Manx surnames, has demonstrated a link between surnames and Y-chromosomal DNA. The genetic history of the Isle of Man indicates, that most of its population is of old Celtic origin. The first inhabitants were believed to have spoken a Celtic Brythonic language similar to Welsh, Cornish and Breton. Manx Gaelic later developed after the gaelicsation of the island, from the colonisation of neighbouring Ireland. For a 300 year period the island came under Norse Viking rule, with further control under Scottish and English Crowns. The earliest documented use of the surname Cubbon, on the Isle of Man was in 1430. Y-DNA testing up to 67 markers indicates that an ancestral haplotype has been identified. The surname Cubbon is unique to the Manx people and the Isle of Man, without development from any other origin. Y-DNA testing and analysis shows that male lines belong to haplogroup R1b, with the lowest level Y-SNP identifiable is R-L21>DF13>MC14>Z19670. Anlaysis suggests that the patriarchs of the Cubbon line, were Gaels who originally inhabited Gaelic Scotland before arriving on the Isle of Man.

Famous People named Cubbon

Sir Brian Cubbon GCB (1928–2015), British senior civil servant, recipient of The Most Honourable Order of the Bath.

Captain Francis Richard Cubbon (1882–1917), World War 1 aerial observer and flying ace, awarded the Military Cross.

Major-General Sir John Cubbon CB GCB (1911–1997), British Army officer, recipient of The Most Honourable Order of the Bath and The Most Excellent Order of the British Empire.

Lieutenant-General Sir Mark Cubbon KCB (1775–1861), British army officer and much revered high commissioner of Mysore. The recipient of The Most Honourable Order of the Bath.

William Cubbon M.A (1865–1955), Manx nationalist, antiquarian, author, businessman, librarian, first secretary and director of the Manx Museum, co-founder of Yn Çheshaght Ghailckagh, the recipient of Masters of Arts from Liverpool University and The Royal Norwegian Order of Saint Olav.

Early Cubbons

These are the earliest records we have of the Cubbon family.