Surname Cobbitt - Meaning and Origin
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Cobbitt: What does the surname Cobbitt mean?
The last name Cobbitt is of English origin, derived from the Old French word cobe, meaning 'hood' or 'cap'. In early records, the name is often spelled Cobbet, Cobbete, ſ Cobbet, Cobbett, Cobitte, and Coobette. It is thought to be a nickname for someone who wore a distinctive cap or hat.
The surname was originally borne by a citizen of Bury St Edmunds, the town of the first recorded Cobbitt family in the early 1500s. In the mid-1800s, members of the Cobbitt family lived in the Isle of Man or around the Liverpool area, mostly in seafaring communities.
Throughout its history, the surname has been associated with various trades, such as cobbling and carpentry. It also has military connections, with sailors of the English Navy bearing the surname or its variants.
Overall, the surname Cobbitt is a prime example of a trade name, linked to a specific profession or skill practiced by its early bearers. It carries on the legacy of a family with deep roots in the English language and its history, connecting them to the past even today.
Order DNA origin analysisCobbitt: Where does the name Cobbitt come from?
The surname Cobbitt is most common in the United Kingdom. The name is found in England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland. The name is derived from the Middle English "cobbe" and Old English "cobbe" which meant "mender of baskets". The surname is sometimes spelled Cobbit, Cobbitt, Cobbett, and Cobbald.
Cobbitt is most common in counties located in the southeastern most portion of England such as Kent and Sussex, as well as London and Norfolk. Over the course of three centuries, the name has spread from the eastern parts of England to the south and west. Though still not very common, it is now found in other parts of England as well.
Outside the UK, the surname is not as common. In the United States, it is found mostly in New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and Massachusetts. Small pockets of families with the surname are also scattered throughout the country.
Despite its popularity in England and the UK, there appears to be no link to the Cobbitt family from when the name first emerged. This may be because of a lack of records, as the Cobbitt name emerged in the 1700s. As of today, the name is primarily found in the UK, though a few families have spread throughout the world.
Variations of the surname Cobbitt
Cobbitt is an English surname of mainly coastal origin, derived from the Middle English personal name, Cobbe, with the suffix 'it'. Variants and spellings of Cobbitt include Cobbet, Cobbit, Cobitt, Cobbett, Cobett and Cobit. These surnames all stem from the same place name meaning "Cobbe's dwelling", likely on the English coastline. The reduced form, Cobbe, is derived from the Old English byname Coco, and is found as a placename in the 14th century.
Cobbe's dwelling has been seen in ancient documents, specifically from the Wiltshire region from 1332 to 1690. The first record of the surname was found in the county of Essex in 1220 and, later, during the middle ages, when it was found in several places in Kent, Devon, Norfolk, Lincolnshire and Surrey.
The original spelling Cobbitt is more commonly found in Scotland, particularly in the island of Shetland and the northernmost region of the Outer Hebrides. It is thought that the spelling in Scotland is influenced by the Scandinavian personal name Kobbi, derived from an Old Norse diminutive of the name Hawke.
Cobbett is the most popular variant of this surname, as it is found in several parts of England, including Hampshire, Devon and Cornwall. It is also found in Australia, America, Canada, Ireland and New Zealand. The surname Cobbet is particularly prevalent in Scotland, where it is found in several islands. Cobbit and Cobett are more common in England, while Cobit is found mainly in Ireland.
Famous people with the name Cobbitt
- Powhatan Elly Cobbitt (British Army Officer)
- Elijah Cobbitt (Musician)
- Marisa Cobbitt (Actress)
- Harry Cobbitt (British Politician)
- Richard B. Cobbitt (Educator and Educational Administration)
- Randy Cobbitt (Baseball Player)
- Sybil Cobbitt (Activist and Social Reformer)
- David Cobbitt (Television and Film Actor)
- Anonymous Cobbitt (Former Deacon and Historical Figure)
- Katie Cobbitt (Chef and Restaurateur)