Surname Stobbs - Meaning and Origin

Stobbs: What does the surname Stobbs mean?

The surname Stobbs is of Northern English and Scottish origin. It is generally considered a topographical surname, given to individuals residing near distinct geographical features. The name Stobbs is derived from the Middle English term "stubb" or the Old Norse term "stobbi," which both mean "stump." Thus, it was likely originally given to those living near a prominent tree stump or a deforested area.

Over time, the surname Stobbs might also have been used to identify people from places called Stobbs, such as the locations found in Northumberland in England or Roxburghshire in Scotland. Notably in Roxburghshire, 'Stobbs' refers to a farmstead. Surnames based on locations were often given to distinguish between individuals with the same first name.

Like many surnames, variations exist, including Stubb, Stubbs, Stubbes, and Stobs, among others. The diversity of these spellings reflects the influence of regional dialects and phonetic spelling during the periods when literacy was not widespread, and names were often written as they sounded. Despite such variations, the core meaning of the name, rooted in geographical features, remains consistent.

Stobbs: Where does the name Stobbs come from?

The last name Stobbs is most commonly found in the United Kingdom. Records indicate that many generations of the Stobbs surname can be found in English, Welsh, and Scottish parish records, and their presence in the British Isles is believed to have dated back to the 11th century. In modern times, Stobbs families are scattered across the island, with a particularly strong concentration in Scotland.

In 2001, the most populous area in the UK with the surname Stobbs was the Northumberland; here, at least two hundred Stobbs families were present. The Scottish Borders and East Lothian also had high concentrations. In subsequent years, Stobbs families have been documented in other parts of the British Isles including Northern Ireland, Norfolk, and Essex.

Revised surname data from the 2019 UK census suggests that Stobbs is still common in both Scotland and England, with particularly high numbers in the area around Newcastle upon Tyne. According to the survey, Stobbs families frequently appear in Scotland, especially in Aberdeen, Glasgow, and Edinburgh, as well as in Yorkshire, Essex, and Sussex.

Outside of the UK, Stobbs is also present in Australia, New Zealand, and South Africa, where a few families have settled in more recent times. Stobbs is also listed as a surname in the United States, likely descended from British immigrants who arrived during the 18th and 19th centuries, with the most populous region for the Stobbs surname being Pennsylvania.

Variations of the surname Stobbs

The Stobbs surname has a variety of variants, spellings and surnames of the same origin. The most common variants are Stobbe, Stobbs, Stobes and Stobs. Other variants include Stoboe, Stobe, Stobbies, Stobey, Stobey, Stobier, Stobies, Stobbie, Stobb, Stobae, Stobart, Stobaugh, Stobaugh, Stobber, Stobbler and Stobbs.

The surname Stobbs is derived from the Old English word 'Stobbe', meaning stub, stump or post. This surname was most likely given to someone who lived near or around a post or a stub of some sort. The related surname Stobbe is found mainly in the Netherlands and Germany, suggesting that the Stobbs surname has Dutch and German origins.

In Scotland, the Stobbs surname is common, and it is believed to have derived from the Old English 'Stubbe', which also means stump, post or pole. The Scottish version is often spelled as Stobbie, Stobbs or Stobes.

In the United States, the Stobbs surname is particularly popular in the states of Ohio, Pennsylvania and West Virginia. The spellings Stobes and Stobs are the two most popular spellings in the U.S.

The Stobbs surname can also be found in Great Britain, particularly in the counties of Yorkshire, Lancashire and Durham, and in all four countries of the United Kingdom (England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland). The Stadbbs surname is also common in Australia.

Famous people with the name Stobbs

• Christina Stobbs: British novelist best known for her novel 'Dead in the Water'
• Don Stobbs: American actor who starred in films such as The Secret of NIMH
• Henry Stobbs: English war pilot who flew several missions in World War II
• Ian Stobbs: British actor who starred in television series such as Upstairs, Downstairs
• Kenneth Stobbs: English professional footballer who played for Walsall and Wolverhampton Wanderers F.C.
• Kyle Stobbs: American professional basketball player who last played for the Austin Spurs of the NBA G League
• Loz Stobbs: British singer-songwriter best known as a part of the band 'We Are Scientists'
• Mabel Stobbs: British artist who specialized in clay sculpture
• Richard Stobbs: Canadian politician who represented various ridings in the Legislative Assembly of British Columbia
• Robert Stobbs: British classical scholar specializing in ancient Greek and Latin
• Russell Stobbs: American professional baseball player who last played for the Modesto Nuts of the California League
• Sarah Stobbs: Scottish folk singer-songwriter best known for her album 'Green Room'
• Thomas Stobbs: English bishop of the Diocese of Exeter in the Church of England
• Trancy Stobbs: Canadian composer and music producer whose works have appeared in various films and video games
• William Stobbs: American sculptor who specialized in monumental works of public art.

Other surnames

Stobb