Axbridge News: Calling all Durbins in the area – distant relatives in the USA will be in the town at the end of October to research the family history and meet any Durbins
Sep 8, 2026
By Harry Mottram: Following the visit of Californian Julie Durbin in 2023 another Durbin (no relation) is visiting the town to research the ancestors of the family. The Durbins date back in Axbridge to at least the 16th century – and of course are still very much part of the town today. From the USA Tim Durbin and his son Christopher (pictured below) are visiting Axbridge, Somerset and Bristol at the end of October and early November and would like to meet any extended members of the family – and he’ll be meeting up with George Tyte who is something of a local history expert when it comes to Axbridge. Tim’s email – if you would like to contact him ahead of the trip is Tim@timdurbin.com
I understand the duo will be staying at the Oak House Hotel – they have a packed itinerary with trips to various local family history sites but are in Blitey from 30th October to 6th November 2026. The main images if of the Square in around 1900 before motor cars – and before the Oak House was a hotel. It was a shop on and off – and at one time a petrol station. How times change.
Tim writes: I am researching my direct Durbin line, which I currently believe extends from my ancestor Thomas William Durbin (1651–1699), who emigrated to Maryland, back through Christopher Durbin and an earlier Durbin/Durban family associated with Axbridge.
My research includes the following names and variants:
Walter Durban
Richard Durban
Sir Thomas Durban/Durbin
Peter Durbin
William T. Durbin
Christopher Thomas Durbin
Thomas William Durbin – immigrant to Maryland, USA
Variants could also include Durbon or Durbyn.
I am particularly interested in the Axbridge/Cheddar/Bristol area from approximately 1500–1700.
Thank you in advance for any information you may be able to provide.
Some notable Durbins:
1530-1604 Walter Durbin (I think he’s the older brother of Thomas Sir Axbridge Durbin) Somerset, England
1535-1615 Thomas Sir Axbridge Durbin Somerset, England
Thomas Sir, Axbridge, Durbin had 2 children. 1559-1610
Peter Durbin Wiltshire, England died at 49
1590-1627 William Durbin England died at 36 years old only had one child, a son Christopher “Thomas”
1621-1709 Christopher “Thomas” Durbin (only child) born in Axbridge, died in British colonial America (what is now the state of Maryland). He was a planter.
Famous Durbins in the U.S. include:
Blaine “The Kid” Alphonsus Durbin, a.k.a., “Danny Dreamer” 1886-1943 died at 57. Played professional baseball (pitcher) for the Chicago Cubs winning the 1908 World Series.
Deanna Durbin, 1921-2013 Parents James Alan Durbin born in Manchester, England Deanna was a very famous beautiful redhead singer and actress. She retired and passed away in France. During World War II, Deanna Durbin was named the favorite of more than 300 different groups of servicemen. Reportedly, she was Winston Churchill‘s favorite movie star, and the British Prime Minister was granted the opportunity to see her films before they were released to the general public in Great Britain. Following crucial military victories, Churchill would celebrate by screening her 1937 film One Hundred Men and a Girl, accompanied by brandy and a cigar. At the time of her retirement at age 29, Durbin was the highest-paid female screen star in Hollywood and, accordingly, the highest-paid woman in the world. She reportedly earned more than $320,000 from Universal Studios in 1946.
A reminder of Julie Durbin’s visit is here: https://www.harrymottram.co.uk/2023/06/18/axbridge-news-durbin-family-reunion-june-26-27-2023-americans-coming-to-bristol-axbridge-and-cheddar-from-san-francisco-in-search-of-durbin-family/
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