Show ContentsHorobin History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Horobin is an ancient Anglo-Saxon surname that came from the name Rabin or Robin, which are pet forms of the personal name Robert. The name is preceded the Old English prefix har, which means gray. Hence, the surname Horobin literally means gray Rabin or gray Robin. 1

Early Origins of the Horobin family

The surname Horobin was first found in the parish of Taxal, Derbyshire at Horobin. 2

A very rare name, we did find some late entries for the family in Cheshire. The Wills at Chester list John Horabin, of Westhoughton, 1591; Thomas Horabin, of Bolton, 1612; Richard Horrobin, of Bolton, 1633; and William Horrobin, of Little Bolton, 1633. "It will be seen that the Bolton Horobins first became Horrobin, and then Harrobin, as they exist to-day." 2

Early History of the Horobin family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Horobin research. Another 154 words (11 lines of text) covering the years 1591, 1596, 1612, 1618, 1633, 1686, 1696, 1713, 1783 and 1790 are included under the topic Early Horobin History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Horobin Spelling Variations

The English language only became standardized in the last few centuries; therefore,spelling variations are common among early Anglo-Saxon names. As the form of the English language changed, even the spelling of literate people's names evolved. Horobin has been recorded under many different variations, including Horrobin, Horrabin, Horobin, Horabin, Harrobin, Harrabin, Harobin, Harbin, Harbine, Harbyn, Harbynn, Horbyn and many more.

Early Notables of the Horobin family

Another 42 words (3 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Horobin Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.


Australia Horobin migration to Australia +

Emigration to Australia followed the First Fleets of convicts, tradespeople and early settlers. Early immigrants include:

Horobin Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century
  • Mr. Samuel Horobin, English convict who was convicted in Derbyshire, England for 10 years, transported aboard the "Barossa" on 27th August 1841, arriving in Tasmania (Van Diemen's Land) 3

Contemporary Notables of the name Horobin (post 1700) +

  • Norah Maud Horobin, British head school mistress
  • Sir Ian Horobin, Knight, who served in the RAF during both World Wars, and was a member of the British Parliament


  1. Reaney, P.H and R.M. Wilson, A Dictionary of English Surnames. London: Routledge, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-415-05737-X)
  2. Bardsley, C.W, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames: With Special American Instances. Wiltshire: Heraldry Today, 1901. Print. (ISBN 0-900455-44-6)
  3. Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 24th September 2020). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/barossa


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