IRELAND

SURNAMES ~ TOBIN

Tobin is in Irish Tóibín, which is a Gaelicised version of the Norman "de St. Aubin", after the place of the same name in Brittany, so called from the dedication of its church to St. Albin. The family came to Ireland in the immediate aftermath of the Norman invasion, and by the early thirteenth century were well established in counties Kilkenny and Tipperary; their power in the latter county is attested by the (unofficial) title "Baron of Coursey" by which the head of the family was known in the middle ages. In the course of time, the surname also spread into the adjoining counties of Cork and Waterford, and this is the area in which it remains most common by far today.

Placenames including the surname reflect the geographical spread of the family, with Ballytobin and Castletobin in Kilkenny, Tobinsgarden in Tipperary, and Tobinstown in Carlow.

TOBIN ~ FAMILY CREST:

Oak Tree and Leaves, Acorns identify "Antiquity and Strength." In Ireland the Oak tree was the most noble of the Chieftain trees.

[Reference:  http://www.irishsurnames.com/]

   
IRISH NAMING TRADITIONS:
Oldest son is named after the Father's Father
2nd son is named after the Mother's Father
3rd son is named after the Father
4th son is named after the Father's oldest brother

Oldest daughter is named after the Mother's Mother
2nd daughter is named after the Father's Mother
3rd daugahter is named after the Mother
4th daughter is named after the Mother's oldest sister

2nd wife's oldest daughter is named after the 1st wife, using her full name.

[Reference:  www.ginnisw.com/Irish2.htm]