Surname Dobb - Meaning and Origin
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Dobb: What does the surname Dobb mean?
The last name Dobb is of Anglo-Saxon origin and it typically refers to a beloved or respected person. It is derived from the personal name "Dobbe", a pet form of Robert, which means "fame-bright". In the Middle Ages, it was a popular practice to use a diminutive term, often bearing a hypocoristic or affectionate connotation with a diminutive suffix, hence the creation of the surname. The suffix "b" is also a pet form. Variations of the surname include Dobb, Dobbs, Dobbe, Dobbes, Dobbis, Dobbies and others. Surnames became necessary when governments introduced personal taxation, so in England this name originated to serve that purpose. Surnames all over the country began to develop, with unique and shocking spelling variations of the original one. The surname first appeared on record in Yorkshire, England, where they held a family seat from ancient times.
Order DNA origin analysisDobb: Where does the name Dobb come from?
The surname Dobb is of Anglo-Saxon origin and is derived from the personal name "Dobbe," a pet name for "Robert." It started being used in England sometime after the Norman Conquest in 1066. The name became a surname when it was passed down from the original bearer's descendants with the addition of "son" as a suffix, hence "Dobbe's son" which led to the variation "Dobson" in the North of England. Some of the many spelling variations include Dob, Dobb, Dobbe, Dobbs, Dobson, and others.
Today, the surname Dobb is not specifically concentrated in one area but is found throughout many English-speaking countries including the United States, England, Canada, and Australia. According to the latest data, the Dobb surname is most common in the United States, followed by England, and then Canada. It is relatively rare, ranking at 116,406th in the world. The highest concentrations of Dobb surname are found in the United States, especially in the states of Ohio, Pennsylvania, Washington, and California. In England, it is more concentrated in the Midlands. Due to the process of migration and emigration, it has spread to many different countries throughout the world.
Variations of the surname Dobb
The surname Dobb can be found with various spellings, some of these variations include Dobbs, Dobbie, Dobie, Dobbe, Dobby, Dob, and Dobey. Additional variations could also include Doeb, Dobbeas, Dooba, Dobbis, or Dobbies. There can be numerous reasons for these variations, including regional pronunciation differences, illiteracy (with officials phonetically registering names), and translation between different languages.
The origin of the surname Dobb is generally traced back to medieval England. However, it is found in Scotland as well. It's believed to be derived from the given name Robert, shortened to Dob or Hob, and later becoming a patronymic surname ("son of Dob"), hence the ‘s’ or ‘son’ in some variations, like Dobbs or Dobson.
Other wider variants of Dobb can include Dobbin, Dobbins, Dobbinson, and Dobbings, which are also linked to the given name Robert through its pet form, Dobbin.
However, always bear in mind that names can have multiple origins and hence similar or the same surnames can have different roots in different cultures or languages. Variations of surnames can give subtle clues to family branches and migrations over the centuries.
Famous people with the name Dobb
- David Dobb, British business magnate and philanthropist
- Phil Dobb, English politics professor
- Terry Dobb, former leader of the Law Society of Scotland
- Stephen Dobb, British electrical engineer and specialist in electricity market modeling
- David Dobbs, American journalist and author
- Harrison Dobb, Australian rugby league footballer
- Peter Dobbs, Australian poet and actor
- Joe Dobbs, former leader of the British Police Federation
- Natasha Dobbs, American music and film producer
- Sam Dobbs, English professional surfer