Surname Bibby - Meaning and Origin

Bibby: What does the surname Bibby mean?

The surname Bibby has multiple possible origins. It is an Anglicized form of the Irish Gaelic surname Ó Beibigh, meaning "descendant of Beibh," a personal name derived from 'beo', meaning 'lively'.

Another claim suggests it is of English origin, believed to be derived from the personal name Bibbie or Bibby, which is a pet form of the male given name Isabel. Isabel itself is a variation of Elizabeth, a given name of Hebrew origin that means "God is my oath". Therefore, Bibby may imply "descendant or son of Isabel".

Lastly, Bibby might be a locational name for someone from a place called Bibby, though it's not a known place name in England, so it's possible that the original location is now "lost".

This surname is prevalent, especially in Lancashire in northwestern England, suggesting a regional concentration indicating a local linguistic or cultural origin.

It is important to remember that surname meanings can vary significantly based on geographic location, translation, and historical context.

Bibby: Where does the name Bibby come from?

The last name Bibby originates from England, more specifically from the North West region and in Lancashire. It is derived from the Old English personal name Bicce, which in turn might have links to the Old English verb "bician," meaning to beckon. Its usage dates back to the medieval period. The surname later developed several alternative forms like Bibb, Bibbe, Bibbie, and Bibe.

The name likely spread throughout England and later to other English-speaking countries due to migration. While the frequency of the surname Bibby has declined in England, it remains most common among the British and their descendants. There has been notable presence recorded in the United States, Canada, and Australia, with these being common destinations of British immigrants during the 19th and 20th centuries. However, it's important to note that despite its distribution, Bibby is still not considered a particularly common surname worldwide.

Variations of the surname Bibby

The surname Bibby originates from an old English personal name Bicca possibly combined with "by," an Old Norse term for farm or settlement. Over the centuries, the surname has adopted various spelling variations. These variations were likely resulting from phonetic spelling by different scribes and clerks, dialect influences, and changes over time.

Some of the spelling variations and surnames of the same origin as Bibby include Bibbie, Bibbey, Bibo, Bibbe, and Bibbee. The surname Biby, although it sounds similar, is not necessarily of the same origin.

Apart from Bibby, other possible surname variants can also be from related family names or names influenced by migration or change of language. For instance, in some cultures and regions, people might have added or removed syllables and letters to make it easier to pronounce or fit more smoothly into the local language.

Please note that some of these variants might form distinct family lines, and groupings of people who share these surnames do not necessarily share a common ancestral lineage. Therefore, genealogical research is required to trace the precise origins and affiliations of these surnames.

Famous people with the name Bibby

• Henry Bibby: An American former professional basketball player and coach. He played in NBA for the New York Knicks.
• Mike Bibby: A retired professional basketball player who played for various teams in the NBA, including the Vancouver Grizzlies, Sacramento Kings, and Atlanta Hawks. He is also the son of Henry Bibby.
• Jim Bibby: A former professional baseball pitcher in Major League Baseball (MLB). He played for various teams such as the St. Louis Cardinals, Texas Rangers, and Pittsburgh Pirates.
• Lil Bibby: An American rapper and record producer from Chicago, Illinois. His real name is Brandon George Dickinson Jr.
• Charles Bibby: A famous British railway engineer.
• Justin Bibby: Member of the band CNCO, formed in the first season of La Banda, a singing competition.
• Leigh-Anne Pinnock Bibby: Member of the British girl band Little Mix. She recently married footballer Andre Gray and subsequently adopted his last name, making her known as Leigh-Anne Pinnock Gray.
• Vera Charlesworth Bibby: A cult British author known for her crime novels published in the 1920s and 1930s.
• Neil Bibby: A Member of Scottish Parliament for the Scottish Labour Party.
• Bill Bibby: Former English footballer who played as a goalkeeper for clubs like Bury, Barrow, and Rochdale.

Other surnames

Bibbee