GARIBAY

Originally of the area of Garibai (near Oñate, Guipuzcoa) in 1323. This surname is also found in Arrasate-Mondragón, Guipuzcoa.

It comes from garo (meaning fern) and ibai (river). So in this case it would mean the original house was probably near a stream or river flowing through a place where ferns grew. Other authors believe that it stems from garai (meaning a high place) or even gari (wheat) but river remains the same translation for ibai in all cases.

The family's coat of arms is composed of a deer of natural color on a background of gold. The deer is standing in a green area with golden wheat growing up from it. A black eagle has it's talons clasped to the deer's hindquarters and its beak is tearing at the back of the deer.

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