Early records (Edward the Confessor 1042-1066) show the family deriving from the village of Chebenhale. At this time, the Chibnall name was “de Chebenhale” . Following the Norman invasion, there is reputed lineage to a son of William 1st. In 1351, the English king, John I, changed his domicile to Sherington in Buckinghamshire, retaining a cottage in Chebenhale as a pied-a-terre. The royal connection is shown in the family Coat of Arms by a Ducal crown which is engrossed on the dragon’s neck – a sign of royal blood ! At this time the family was established as ‘Chibnall of Astwood’.
In 1762, records showed the Chibnall family owning a Wine Merchants, a cooperage business and the local pub. Several predecessors were Wine merchants, but interests expanded via marriage, to cork plantations in Portugal and a cork manufacturing business in London called G.Lombard. Marriage resulted in the family name being Lombard-Chibnall.
Early in the 20th century, Henry Lombard-Chibnall married Alice Robinson of the brewery and soft drinks business. Brewers bottled beer, as well as gin, vodka, port and this became the early connection to the later start of Lombard Scotch Whisky.