Bapt 'the son of Herbert' or 'Hubert'; compare Hobart, Hubert, Hebard. Doubtless in some cases all the forms in Hibbard are thus described, although the change from and 'u' to 'i' is abrupt. (2) Bapt. 'the son of Isabella,' from nick. Ibb, and diminutive Ibbet; v. Ibbett and Ibbetson. The enormous popularity of Isabella in Yorkshire gave us a ring of changes upon it in the North of England, and amongst others (with an aspirate) Hibbot and Hebot. These gradually assimilated themselves to the surnominal forms rung upon Herbert; compare Hibberson with Ibberson, Hibbitt with Ibbitt, Hibbit with Ibbit, Hibbett with Ibbett, which see, also compare Ibberson and Hibbard. I think the comparison is conclusive. At the same period aspirates were indifferently used; compare Hoddy for Oddy, Hemmens for Emmens (v. Hemans), &c. That the aspirate was used for nicks, of Isabella is proved by such entries as:

Johannes Frere, et Hibbot uxor ejus, 1379: Poll Tax of Yorkshire.

Johannes atte Baris, et Hebot uxor ejus, 1379: ibid.

The usual form in this roll is Ibbot. The same person is probably alluded to in the following first two entries:

1580. Thomas Hibbott, Worcestershire, Bras. Coll.: Register of the University of Oxford.

1584. Thomas Hibbotts, Bras. Coll.: ibid.

1591. James Hibbert, barbitonser, and Mary Heydon: Marriage Lic. (London).

1625. Richard Hibberd and Ursula Wells": ibid.

1665. Nathaniel Hibbert, of Werneth, husbandman: Wills at Chester.

1678. Richard Hibbott, of Alpram: ibid.

1770. Married — Samuel Sprang and Mary Hibbet: St. George, Hanover Square.

1786. — Thomas Hibbard and Mary Parker: ibid.

1794. — John Scotland Mary Hibbarts: ibid.

This, as in Hibbotts supra, is the patronymic s, as in Jones, Williams. Watkins, &c. Hence the American Hibbits or Hibbitts.

1808. Married — Richard Darvin and Diana Hibbart: ibid.

It is quite clear that the two derivatives (1) and (a) are correct. It is equally clear that the representatives of both have become inextricably mixed in our modern directories.Stolen from Fore bears

(English) 1 the Anglo-Saxon Heáhbe(o)rht= High-Bright [Old English heáh, high, chief + be(o)rht, bright, glorious, noble] 2 the Anglo-Saxon Hygebe(o)rht = Mind- Bright [Old English hyge, mind, mood, courage]

The Hibberts of Marple, Birtles, &c., co. Chester, claim descent from Paganus Hubert, who accompanied Richard Coeur-de-Lion in the Crusade of 1190. See Ormerod's Cheshire. An Anglo-Saxon bishop of Lichfield was called Hygbert.