The Robbins Coat of Arms
The earliest record of the Robins/Robbins Families in North America:
Is made mention in the book; "Distinguished Families of America"
It mentions a reference to the origin of the ROBINS/ROBBINS name being traced to a Norman by the name of Ro-Bynes, who came to Britannia with William I, the Conqueor in 1066 a.d..
From 1066 a.d. up until 1700 a.d., the name was spelled variouslly as; R0-Bynes, Ro-byns, Ro-Bins, Robins and Robbins. About 1700 a.d. the spelling was changed to; ROBBINS or ROBINS with a very few references to Ro-Bynes.
Background to the Normandy Invasion:
To clearly understand the pre-history of the Normandy Invasion of William I, "the Conqueror". William was descended from the Viking chief Hrolf (latinised as Rollo), who had settled in northern France and was made first Duke of Normandy in 991. At the head of an army of Normans [which means Northmen - Norwegian Vikings], he invaded Britannia in 1066 a.d.. One must turn back a few pages of history to the early Viking invasions of Northern Europe. From 4,000 b.c. to 1,000 a.d. political boundaries shifted continually in this region, as various groups gained and lost political and military dominance of the area. The largest and most aggressive of these ethnic groups, were the Viking. This group known as Viking or Northmen [Norsemen] were in fact made up of several groups of individuals known as Vikings; [Norse] Norwegien [Norway] Vikings, Swedish [Sweden] Vikings and Danish [Denmark][Danes - also known as Spear-Danes] Vikings.
The two areas of our family concern will be Normandy [North Western France] and Orkney Island/Caithness and the Northmen [Norse] Viking invasion and occupation. [Recent DNA testing shows that we also have deep ancestrial links to the Norsemen of Iceland, and, that we are descended from the Celts that migrated out of the Steppes of Russia - Turkestan. To Northern Ireland by-way of Spain] The DNA test establishes our very strong Scottish [Norwegian Norse and Celtic], Icelanic Norse and ancient Irish (Celtic) lineage.
Up until early 700 a.d. most of the Viking expeditions were for booty, slaves, and plunder, against the eleven tribes of the Pictish Nation of Northern Britannia. Between 733 a.d. and 795 a.d. they established three strong footholds in Britannia. The Viking had established a strong presents in north eastern Picland. Challenging the Pictish Nation to the North and the Roman Empire to the South. Learning of the wealth of the monestaries all over Britannia. They sought to loot these for their wealth. This was a fore-runner to the major invasion of Northern Europe. Where they did battle with the Gauls [Celts] for territorial footholds in the northern regions of Europe. In their sea going long ships, these seafaring Norsemen [Viking], were able to defuse their area of influence to as far away as North America.
There were two distinctive and seperate invasions; one into Northern Europe and one into Scandinavia.
We will examine the invasion of Northern Europe and its impact on the Frank occupation of the western part of central Europe. That area that is known today as France. The invasion was met with some limited success. Enough so that Hrolf Ganger, the founder of Normandy was able to establish a strong foothold in the northern or Brittany region of France. The result of this invasion was to create a hybred culture; the Franco-Viking breed or what was to become known as the "Norman". These Norman, developed, with a strong militaristic influence from their Viking heritage but tempered with the sophistication of their Franco cultural heritage, into the most disiplined military organization in Europe.
With this formadable war machine at his side; in 1066 a.d. William the I, the Conqueror challenging the monarchie for the crown of Britannia. He invaded Britannia in an effort to over throw the Roman Emipres long hold of the Islands to the North. Riding with and in support of William I, the Conqueror on his invasion was a Norman Gentleman Knight of the French Court by the name of Ro-Bynes.
With the success of the "Norman Invasion" Ro-Bynes was granted a large parcel of land along the Border Ridings and specifically in the vicinity of what is now Peebleshire just North of Hadian's Wall.
Thus, began the long tradition of the ROBINS/ROBBINS dynasty, in establishing their ethnic and cultural heritage as [Franco-Viking] Norman influennce in Scotland. From 1066 a.d. until immigration to North America in the late 1600 to early 1700's, the Robins/Robbins family let themselves be known in the area through marriage and alliance. There were many spellings of the name; including Robin[son] refering to the son of Robins. By the time they immigrated to North America they were Scotish through and through. Whether allied with the MacGregor Clan or not. Through extensive research and contact with cousins in Scotland, I have found out that we are or have been accepted as sept's of the Clan Gunn and the Clan Donnachaidh. I have talked with the Clan Chief's of each Clan, we are welcome in ether Clan. They have a long and elustrious history in the region, one to be very proud of. There is evidence that has recently come to light that among the very early Vikings traversing the north latitudes. At the end of the 14th century Sir James Gunn accompanied Sir Henry Sinclair, Earl of Orkney, to North America, nearly one hundred years before Christopher Columbus.
In the Norse tradition of identifing ancestrial descent they used the surname attachment of [son] to the end of the fathers surname [such as Robin-son, Robins-on, Robison, Robson, etc - which indicates the descendency from Robert the second son of George GUNN, The Crowner, also known as 'Am Braisdeach Mor,' or 'Big Broochy' from the insignia worn by the Gunn chiefs, as Crowners of Caithness," the seventh Chief of the Clan founder].
There are three various versions of whom the Clan descended from and each has an accepted following to some degree. Though if one accepts one of the versions; where by the ancestor of the Clan is Gunn the grandson of Sweyn; but, can Gunn, grandson of Sweyn be taken seriously as the ancestor, Since it would make the Gunns the septs of the Swansons rather than the other way around. Most historians do not take this line seriously since this GUNN did not hold lands in Caithness .
The ancestrial home of the GUNN Clan are the extensive landed properties at Clyth on the East coast of Caithness where they built their two strongholds of Castle Gunn and Castle Halberry. It is my opinion that the Gunn who held the lands in perpetuate or by inheritance or by force of arms, is the ancestor of the Clan. Again in the Norse tradition, inheritance as well place names are usually placed upon the strongest of the descending heirs.
The most accepted version holds that the progenitor of the clan is Gunn, or Gunni, or Gunnius (Norse ‘Gunr’, meaning war) second son of Olaus Rolfi an 11th century governor of Caithness. He governed in the name of the Norse Earls of Orkney and Caithness who then resided in Orkney. His younger brother was Sweyn the celebrated pirate and reputed ancestor of the Swansons. Their mother Aslief was said to be descended from a noble of the Norwegian family.
It is accepted by the Lord Lyons Office of Heraldtry that the Robins/Robbins are septs of the Clan Gunn. There is some obscure documentation that the Robins/Robbins - Ro-byns were attached to the MCGregor Clan after the Norman Invasion in 1066. According to this documentation they were considered by the Mcgregors to be a Primary Family of the Clan - not a sept. There is also documentation that the Robins/Robbins occupied lands in Peebleshire, Northumberland and Northhamptonshire along the Border Ridings.
Cousins Therefore wear our tartan with honor and "Hail to the Robins/Robbins Clan."
Stay tuned for further developments in the life and times of the ROBINS Empire.
Norman Knights of the Tenth Century
Robyns, Knight of the Court of France
Robin [Robinus] Robbias, born: abt. 1210 a.d., at Long Buckby, Northamptonshire, England.
Thomas of Oldbury [Ro-Bbins], born 1279, Northamptonshire, England
William Robins, born 1377, at Northamptonshire, England
John Robins, born abt. 1400, at Northamptonshire, England
John Robins, born abt. 1436, at Northamptonshire, England
Edward Robins, born 1460, at Northamptonshire, England, Married to: Magaret [?]
Thomas ROBYNS, born ca. 1480; living on 8 Jan 1531 at Holdenby, Northamptonshire, England when he wrote his will; he was married to Joan, born ca. 1486; living on 1535 at Holdenby, Northamptonshire, England, when she wrote her will.
children: of Thomas and Joan
William ROBINS living 1535 Richard ROBINS b. ca. 1508 (2 children in 1535); bur. 22 June 1584 Long Buckby, Northamptonshire, England. John ROBINS living 1531 Joys ROBINS b. ca. 1512 (2 children in 1535); m. Thomas HOGGIES; living 1535 Joan ROBINS living 1531 Thomas ROBINS living 1546 Henrie ROBINS m. Ales (BUTLYN?); d. between 8 Oct. 1569 and 2 Mar. 1569 (1570) Holdenby, Northamptonshire, England. Edward ROBINS b. ca. 1520 (one child in 1546); m. Margaret; d. between 8 Oct. and 13 Dec. 1546 Upton, Northamptonshire, England.
The Last will and Testament of Thomas:
The Last Will and Testament of Joan:
Richard ROBYNS, Born abt 1508, at Long Buckby, Northampshire, England, died 22 Jan 1584 at Long Buckby, Northampshire, England,
Children of Richard Robyns:
Thomas ROBINS
Last Will and Testament of Richard:
Notes for THOMAS ROBBINS:
The family seat of the Robins family of Northamptonshire, England, was Long Buckby, approximately 10 miles northwest of the town of Northampton. Richard Robins II, son of Thomas & Elizabeth Pamer Robins, was not yet of age when his grandfather Richard Robins I wrote his will in 1582. Richard Robins II, Gent., was buried at Long Buckby on May 19, 1634. He had married Dorothy Goodman, daughter of Edward & Mary Rushall Goodman. Richard Robins II of Buckby died leaving a will dated March 1, 1633, which left bequests to his wife Dorothy and sons Obedience, Edward, John & Thomas Robins. Richard & Dorothy Goodman Robins were the parents of Continue (dau.), Richard III, Obedience, John, Edward, Sarah, Thomas, Dorothy, Lemuell (dau.), and Mary Robins. [1]
Long Buckby Marriage of Thomas Robins 1563 Northamptonshire, England
The Long Buckby parish register (Greenall op. cit.) lists the marriage of Thomas Robbens and Elizabeth Pamer on (illegible) 1563. Six children of Thomas are named in the will of their grandfather, Richard Robins, written 20 October 1584. The parish register lists the baptism of Henry, son of Thomas Robbens and ux on (illegible) December l584, and the burial of Henry on 7 December 1584. "Samwell' son of Thomas Robbens and ux was baptized 20 June 1587. Thomas Robbens was buried 8 August 1606.
More About THOMAS ROBBINS:
Buried: August 07, 1606, Long Buckley Co. Northampton, England
Notes for ELIZABETH PAMER:
Surname may be Parks or Parker
Children of Thomas and Elizabeth
John ROBBINS b: 1578 in Longbuckby, Northhampton, ENGLAND
John ROBBINS, 1595 in Long Buckby, ENGLAND
NOTES on John ROBBINS: He is our imigrant ancestor. Note above his father died at sea enroute to North America.
Children of John Robbins and Alice
1st Generation - in North America:
Thomas ROBBINS, b: 1695 in Westmoreland County, VA. d: 12/4/1775 in Edgecombe County, NC. Married to: Sarah MADDOX.
[NOTES on Thomas ROBBINS] They had eight children; information provided by Bruce ROBBINS.
John ROBBINS Sr., b: 1698 in Westmoreland Co., VA
John ROBBINS Sr., Born 1698 in Westmoreland Co., VA
Married to Elizabeth [?] Unknown
Additional information on John ROBBINS; verifed common ancestry by Y-DNA Test 100%
John ROBBINS Jr., b: ABT. 1720 in Gloucester Cty. VA.
John ROBINS/ROBBINS, Jr., born c.1720, in Gloucester Cty., Virginia, died before August 1792, in Wilkes Cty., North Carolina.
Married to Margaret STROTHER (?), born c. 1725, died c. 1786, they were married about 1743 in Virginia.
Notes for John ROBINS:
reference: First American census, 1784 for Ware Parish, Cloucester Cty., John Robbins, 4 persons, 1 dwelling and 4 outbuildings. Records of land purchase in Orange Cty., Virginia in 1760. All of his sons were born before that date. There are no records [to date] about where they came from before coming to Orange Cty., Virginia. The family relocated from Orange Cty., Virginia to Surry Cty., [now Wilkes Cty.] in North Carolina about 1775. Land records for Mulberry Creek, 1777--indicate he owned two plantations. The home place contained about 396 acres, and the adjoining smaller plantation was about 140 acres. It was located in Capt. Herndon's District.
According to the list; the improvements were, 8 head of horses and 12 head of cattle. According to the 1782 records, Mulberry Creek and Reddies River are Capt. Judd's District with an increase in the size of John ROBBINS, Sr's plantations. They had increased to 936 acres, 6 head horses and 6 head cattle.
His occupation is not indicated in any of the records, but one can safely say he was involved in some type of argricultural pursuit, due to the ownership of the two plantations.
According to the 1787 Wilkes County census: John Robins, Sr had increased his land holdings to 636 acres. The land holdings of his two son;s; John and Thomas along with his totalled over 1907 acres.[Historical speculation: These were probably some of the largest platations in North Carolina for that period.]
reference: ["John O. Hawkins, A nest of Robins: The Wilkes County, North Carolina, Robbins Family" (Patterson, NC: Staley Publishing Co., n.d.) p.1.]
Children of John ROBINS, Sr. and Margaret STROTHER:
William ROBINS, born c. 1745 in Orange Cty., Virginia, died c. 1774 in Orange Cty., Virginia. He was married c. 1766 to Ann FOSTER, born c. 1744, died 14 June 1833.
Capt. Thomas ROBINS, born c. 1748 in Orange Cty., Virginia, died bef. 1824 Coffey Cty., Tennessee. He was married on the 24 December 1775 to Mary FOSTER, she was born abt 1747, died 4 December 1807 in Wilkes Cty., North Carolina.
NOTE: Check this link for a surname history for the FOSTER line:Foster Link
John ROBINS Jr., born c. 1750 in Orange Cty., Virginia, died (?) in Franklin Cty., Tennessee. He married Elizabeth DOGAN in c. 1771 in Orange Cty., Virginia.
NOTE: Check this link for a surname history for the JONES/FOSTER line:Jones Line
Reuben ROBINS, born bet. 1750-1755 in Orange Cty., Virginia, died in 1833 in Wilkes Cty., North Carolina. He was married on the 29 April 1782 in Wilkes Cty., North Carolina to Jane TURNER, born c. 1760-70, died c. 1850-60
Mary ROBINS, born c. 1760 in Orange Cty., Virginia, died (?) in Wilkes Cty., North Carolina. She married Joseph ROBERTS c. 1781.
Ann ROBINS, born (?) in Orange Cty., Virginia. She married James SARTIN c. 1786.
Lucy ROBINS, born bet. 1755-60 in Orange Cty., Virginia, died bef. 1787 in Wilkes Cty., North Carolina. She married (Benjamin) BROWN
Sarah ROBINS, born (?). She married COLBY RUCKER c. 1786.
2nd Generation
Reuben ROBBINS, born 1754 in Orange Cty., VA., died 1833 in Wilkes Cty., NC.. He married Jane TURNER, Apr 29, 1782 in Wilkes Cty., NC.. She was born 1760-70 and died 1850-60.
Children of Reuben ROBBINS and Jane TURNER:
John ROBBINS, born 1827 in Orange Cty., VA.. Married to Sarah [?], born 1833 in Tn.
Thomas ROBBINS, born 1785 in Orange Cty., VA., died Mar 1870. Married Mary MURPHY, Dec 4, 1807. She was born 1789.
William B. ROBBINS, born 1800 in Orange Cty., VA.. Married Nancy JAMES, born 1804 in NC.
Peggy ROBBINS, married Thomas LENIOR, Feb 17, 1789 in NC.
Sally ROBBINS, born 1795 in Orange Cty., VA.
Nancy ROBBINS, born 1798 in Orange Cty., VA.. Married to Langston CUNNINGHAM Apr 23, 1805.
Francis [Franky] ROBBINS, born 1767, died abt. Dec 1825. Married to: [1st] Jacob HAGLER, born 1761, died abt. 1825. [2nd] Thomas DAVIS, Jul 17, 1801.
Rachael ROBBINS
3rd Generation
William B. ROBBINS, born 1800 in Orange Cty., VA., died in Wilkes Cty., NC.. Married to Nancy JAMES Apr 15, 1823 in Wilkes Cty., NC.. She was born 1804 in NC
William ROBBINS and Nancy JAMES Children:
Sarah ROBBINS, born 1826 in NC.
Thomas ROBBINS, born 1833 in NC.
William Berry ROBBINS, born 1835 in NC.
Jane ROBBINS, born 1836 in NC.
Elizabeth ROBBINS, born 1838 in NC.
Fanny ROBBINS, born 1841 in TN.
Margarett ROBBINS, born 1843 in NC.
4th Generation:
G-grandfather William Berry ROBBINS
William Berry "Duke" Robbins, born 1835, in Savannah, Hardin Cty., Tn., died and buried in TN.. Married to Elizabeth "Eliza" ASBURY, born 1841 in TN.
William Berry ROBBINS and Elizabeth ASBURY Children:
John C. ROBINS, born 185960 in Savannah, Hardin Cty., TN.. Married to Francis Ellie [?], born Oct 1856 in Tn., died Jul 16, 18[?], buried in TX.
Joe Lewis ROBINS, born Feb 16, 1862 in Savannah, Hardin Cty., TN., died Jan 27, 1913. Married Mattie Helen HENRY, born Oct 27, 1866 in TN., died Jan 27, 1913.
Levi Melvin Robins, born Mar 11, 1864 in Savannah, Hardin Cty., TN., died May 26, 1946 buried in Ada, OK.. Married Harriet Bradley SHARP [DOWEL], born Nov 25, 1869 in TN., died Oct 11, 1949 buried in Ada, OK.
Alex Alfred ROBINS, born Mar 16, 1868 in Savannah, Hardin Cty., TN., buried in Jackson, TN.. Married Lora [?]
Wiley Franklin ROBINS, born in Savannah, Hardin Cty., TN., buried TX.. Married Cora [?]
Prince A. ROBINS, born Dec 1878 in Savannah, Hardin Cty., TN.. Married Sabry A. [?].
Charlie ROBINS/, born in Savannah, Hardin Cty., TN.,. Married Carrie [?].
Alice Columdia ROBINS,/b>, born in Savannah, Hardin Cty., TN.. Married [?] RAY.
Ida ROBINS, born in Savannah, Hardin Cty., TN.. Married Hugh BARNETT.
Mary Elizabeth ROBINS, born in Savannah, Hardin Cty., TN.. Married John TAYLOR.
Florence ROBINS, born Nov 25, 1873 in Savannah, Hardin Cty., TN., died Jul 16, 1918 buried in TX.
5th Generation
Levi Melvin ROBINS and Harriet Bradley SHARP [DOWEL]
Levi Melvin ROBINS, born Mar 11, 1864 in Savannah, Hardin Cty., TN., died May 26, 1946, buried in Rosedale Cemetary, Ada, OK.. Married Harriet Bradley SHARP [DOWEL], Dec 6, 1886. She was born Nov 25, 1869 in TN., died Oct 11, 1949, buried in Rosedale Cemetary, Ada, OK.
Children of Levi Melvin Robins and Harriet Bradley SHARP [DOWEL]
Robert Chalmer Robins, born 1889, died 1980, Bakersfield, CA., married to: Carrie Bryant, born [?], died [?].
Lydia Anne Robins, born 1891, died 1985, married to: Henry Floyd Foster, born [?], died [?].
Jennie Maybell Robins, born 1893, died [?], married to: Shed Blansett, born [?], died [?].
Perley Hester Robins, born 1895, died 1896 [infant death]
William Franklin Robins, born 1897, died 1982, Washington, OK., married to: Lula Bell Cantrel, born [?], died [?].
Argie Marie Robins, born 1900, died [?], married to: Allie Roberts, born [?], died [?]
Minnie Lee Robins, born 1902, died [?], married to: Ransey Johnson, born [?], died [?].
Horace Greely Robins, born 1905, died 1942, married to: Minnie Philpott, born [?], died [?].
Prentis Melvin Robins, born 1908, died 1970, Altus, OK., married to: Emma Neoma [Swaffar] Swafford, born 1921, Achille, Bryan Cty., OK., - living
NOTES on Prentis Melvin: Dad was unable to get around well, since being shot in the back with a double barrel 12 gauge shotgun some years eralier. He was killed in an vehicle accident along with his neighbor who was driving the pickup truck. The accident occured on a county road outside Altus, OK., he was a passenger in his neighbors P/U which was pulling out of the county dump on to the rural road when a Rainbow Bread truck from Texas came over the hill on the wrong side of road and hit them head on, killing both dad and his neighbor.
Children of Prentis Melvin Robins and Emma Neoma Swafford
Jimmie Lee ROBINS, b: Aug 30, 1941 at Ada, Pontotoc Cty., OK. Married to: Marry Louise BRIDGEWATER - deceased
Bobbie Janell ROBINS - deceased
Billy Dean ROBINS
Charlotte Gayle ROBINS
Sharon Janette ROBINS
Pete Wesley ROBINS - deceased
Sandra Jo ROBINS, died at birth
Jennifer Masheli ROBINS, private., Married to: Lantz Bateman
Her son; James "Jay" Micheal ROBINS, private.