Surname Dobbie - Meaning and Origin

Dobbie: What does the surname Dobbie mean?

The surname Dobbie is derived from the Old English word "dobbe," which was used to describe a small hill or mound. The surname could have referred to someone who lived in or near such a terrain feature, or it may have simply been adopted as a distinguishing nickname. Alternatively, the name may be a variation of the Scottish surname Dobie, which originated as a pet form of the personal name Robert.

In Scotland, the earliest record of the Dobbie surname dates back to 1296 in the Computus Rolls of Fifeshire, when a Ralph Dobbie or Dobbye was listed as a tenant of land. During the 16th century, a family of the name Dobbye lived in West Lothian, and family members were noted for their hospitality to area travelers. In England, the earliest record of the name is a 1598 Yorkshire burial entry for Roger Dobbie.

Today, the surname Dobbie is still largely associated with Scotland, although there are a few branches of the family in England and other parts of the world. Some variant spellings of the name include Dobie, Dobby, Dobbye, and Doomsday.

Dobbie: Where does the name Dobbie come from?

The last name Dobbie is most common in England and Scotland. It is also found in scattered parts of the United States, Canada, Australia and New Zealand, though more rarely there.

In England and Scotland, the name Dobbie dates back to the 12th century, when it first appeared as a patronymic name. It is derived from the Old English personal name 'Dobba', which is itself derived from 'dobbian', meaning 'doughty' or 'boastful', and was a common nickname for someone who possessed those particular qualities. Over the centuries, the name has spread throughout the English-speaking world, and is still particularly prevalent in the British Isles.

Recent records of Dobbies in the US suggest the surname is more concentrated in the central and western states, with clusters found in Georgia, Tennessee, California and Texas. In Canada, the name can be found in Ontario, though it is much more sparsely spread throughout the country.

In Australia, Dobbies are mostly concentrated in the major cities, and particularly in the larger cities of Melbourne, Brisbane and Sydney. There are also records of Dobbies in New Zealand in the larger population centers such as Auckland, Christchurch and Wellington.

Overall, the last name Dobbie is still common today, particularly in the British Isles, and is found in much lower numbers in other parts of the world.

Variations of the surname Dobbie

The surname Dobbie is a patronymic derived from the Middle English given name "Dobbe," which is itself derived from the Old Presidential Middle German "Tuphe" or "Tubbie," meaning "bringer of good luck." Variations of the name include Dobby, Dobbey, Dobbye, Dobie, and Dobe. Other spellings include Dobie, Dobey, Doiby, and Dobey.

The importance of surnames being spelled correctly was understood even during medieval times. During the 16th century, the conventions varied from place to place, and it is possible to find variations and spellings in contemporary records. It is believed that the double "b" spelling of Dobbie began to be used in the late 18th century.

Some common surnames with the same origin as Dobbie are Dobbin, Donobbee, Donnabie, Donobie, Donobey, and Donoby. These, too, have different spellings, depending on the region in which they are found. In Ireland, variations include Donnabee, Donnobee, and Doonobee. In England, variants include Donebbi, Donobbee, and Donoby.

It is important to note that many of these variants and spellings are still used today. While Dobbie is the most common spelling, it is also possible to find individuals with one of any of these variants.

Famous people with the name Dobbie

• Gerda Dobbie: Former actress who appeared in various films in Australia in the 1940s.
• Alexander Dobbie: Former cricketer from New Zealand.
• Wally Dobbie: Former Canadian professional ice hockey player.
• John Dobbie: Lead singer and guitarist of the alternative rock band Kacy & Clayton.
• Lothian Dobbie: Scottish-born Canadian electrician, radio and television pioneer, and inventor.
• Sir William Dobbie: English-born Military Commander in the British Army, serving in both World Wars.
• Adam Dobbie: Former British actor and filmmaker.
• Bobby Dobbie: Professional football player and coach in Scotland.
• Stuart Dobbie: current British actor from Edinburgh.
• John Dobbie: British-born working class social reformer and philanthropist in the early 20th century.

Other surnames

DobbinDobbins