Contents [hide]

Corbet History Early Origins Early History Spelling Variations Early Notables Ranking

Ireland United States Canada Australia New Zealand

Contemporary Notables Related Stories Motto Citations

Corbet History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
England
France
Scotland
Ireland

From the historical and enchanting region of Normandy emerged a multitude of noble families, including the distinguished Corbet family. Nickname surnames were derived from an eke-name, or added name. They usually reflected the physical characteristics or attributes of the first person that used the name. The name Corbet is a nickname type of surname for a person with dark hair. Tracing the origin of the name further, we found the name Corbet was originally derived from the Old French word "corbeau," which means "raven." 1

Early Origins of the Corbet family

The surname Corbet was first found in Shropshire, where they claim descendancy from Roger, son of Corbet as listed in the Domesday Book of 1086. Roger le Corbet (or Fitz Corbet) was granted several manors by William the Conqueror as the Barony of Caus for his role in the Conquest. 2

They were so named after their Normandy estate in the Pays de Caux, France. "Corbeau, a noble Norman, came over with the Conqueror, and, with his sons, Robert and Roger, was employed by Roger de Montgomery, Earl of Shrewsbury and Arundel. Of the earl and his servants, Ordericus Vitalis says, "That the earl was a prudent and moderate man, a great lover of equity and of discreet and modest persons, and being freely assisted by the wisdom and courage of the said Corbeau, and his two sons, Roger and Robert, was as glorious amongst the greatest nobles as any of them all, by keeping the Welsh in awe, and that whole province in peace." 3

By the 12th century, the family had split into two branches: the elder branch was at Wattlesborough, the younger at Caus Castle. 2

Today, Wattlesborough Tower is a ruined fortified 13th century manor house and Caus Castle is a hill fort and medieval castle. Another branch of the family was found at Tortington in Sussex at early times. "A priory of Augustine canons, in honour of St. Mary Magdalene, was founded here by the Lady Avicia Corbet, before the reign of John. [(1166-1216)]" 4

"Shropshire has been for centuries the principal home of the Corbetts. Corbet was a common name there in the 13th century, and, in fact, in the Hundred Rolls of that date this county includes almost all of the name. The ancient and powerful Shropshire family of Corbett dated back to the time of Edward I. Since the reign of Henry V., the Corbetts or Corbets have at various times filled the office of bailiff or mayor of Shrewsbury, one of the mayors of last century being Sir Richard Corbett, baronet." 5

"This is one of the few families still existing who trace, in the male line, an undoubted descent from an ancient race of the same name in Normandy, of whom was Hugh Corbet (or Corbeau), living 1040." 3

Astall in Oxfordshire was once home to a branch of the family. "The church [of Astall] contains some interesting monuments, among which is a recumbent effigy on a stone coffin, under an enriched arched canopy, said to be the tomb of Alice Corbett, mistress of Henry I., and mother of Reginald, Earl of Cornwall." 4

Early History of the Corbet family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Corbet research. Another 212 words (15 lines of text) covering the years 1124, 1241, 1296, 1580, 1582, 1594, 1595, 1600, 1617, 1624, 1625, 1635, 1637, 1640, 1646, 1648, 1657, 1658, 1662, 1675, 1677, 1683, 1705, 1711, 1748 and 1890 are included under the topic Early Corbet History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Corbet Spelling Variations

Spelling variations in names were a common occurrence in the eras before English spelling was standardized a few hundred years ago. In the Middle Ages, even the literate regularly changed the spellings of their names as the English language incorporated elements of French, Latin, and other European languages. Many variations of the name Corbet have been found, including Corbett, Corbet, Corbetts, Corbit, Corbitt, Corbitts and many more.

Early Notables of the Corbet family

Outstanding amongst the family at this time was

Sir Robert Corbett of Selkirk Abbey
Sir Andrew Corbet (1580-1637), an English politician, Member of Parliament for Shropshire (1624-1625), matriculated at Queen's College, Oxford (1600)
Richard Corbet (1582-1635) poet and prelate
Sir John Corbet, 1st Baronet of Stoke upon Tern (1594-1662), an English politician who sat in the House of Commons between 1646 and 1648
Miles Corbet (1595-1662), an English politician, recorder of Yarmouth, convicted for Regicide of King Charles
Sir Vincent Corbet (1617-1657) 1st Baronet, an English lawyer and politician, Member of Parliament for Shropshire (1640), fought on the Royalist side in the English Civil War, son of Sir Andrew Corbet
Sir Richard Corbet, 2nd Baronet (1640-1683), an English politician, Member of Parliament for Shrewsbury (1677-1683)
Edward Corbet (died 1658), an English clergyman, a member of the Westminster Assembly

Corbet Ranking

In France, the name Corbet is the 2,228^th most popular surname with an estimated 2,868 people with that name. 6

Migration of the Corbet family to Ireland

Some of the Corbet family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt.
Another 57 words (4 lines of text) about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Corbet migration to the United States +

For many English families, the social climate in England was oppressive and lacked opportunity for change. For such families, the shores of Ireland, Australia, and the New World beckoned. They left their homeland at great expense in ships that were overcrowded and full of disease. Many arrived after the long voyage sick, starving, and without a penny. But even those were greeted with greater opportunity than they could have experienced back home. Numerous English settlers who arrived in the United States and Canada at this time went on to make important contributions to the developing cultures of those countries. Many of those families went on to make significant contributions to the rapidly developing colonies in which they settled. Early North American records indicate many people bearing the name Corbet were among those contributors:

Corbet Settlers in United States in the 17th Century

Charles Corbet who settled in Virginia in 1654
Charles Corbet, who arrived in America in 1654-1679 7
Mary Corbet, who arrived in Virginia in 1663 7
Andrew Corbet, who arrived in New Jersey in 1685 7
John Corbet who arrived in New Jersey in 1685

Corbet Settlers in United States in the 18th Century

Jaques Corbet, who arrived in Virginia in 1700 7
Jane Corbet, who landed in Virginia in 1715 7
Henry Corbet, who arrived in America in 1760-1763 7
Elizabeth Corbet, who landed in Boston, Massachusetts in 1767 7

Corbet Settlers in United States in the 19th Century

John Corbet, who landed in America in 1806 7
Peter Corbet, aged 29, who arrived in Ohio in 1812 7
Francis Corbet, aged 60, who landed in New York in 1812 7
Dennis Corbet, who arrived in Mobile, Ala in 1848 7
Jacob Corbet, who landed in Washington County, Pennsylvania in 1850 7
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Corbet migration to Canada +

Some of the first settlers of this family name were:

Corbet Settlers in Canada in the 18th Century

Louis Corbet, who married Marie-Madeleine Cadoret in Quebec City in 1751
Alexander Corbet who sailed on the Lucy to Canada and settled in PEI in 1790

Corbet Settlers in Canada in the 19th Century

John Corbet who settled in Montreal, PQ in 1802
Ann Corbet who with her husband Allan MacDonald, settled in Antigonish, Nova Scotia in 1829
Patrick Corbet, who landed in Nova Scotia in 1830

Corbet migration to Australia +

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

Corbet Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century

Mr. John Corbet, British convict who was convicted in Shropshire, England for 14 years, transported aboard the "Asia" on 29th September 1831, settling in New South Wales, Australia 8

Corbet migration to New Zealand +

Emigration to New Zealand followed in the footsteps of the European explorers, such as Captain Cook (1769-70): first came sealers, whalers, missionaries, and traders. By 1838, the British New Zealand Company had begun buying land from the Maori tribes, and selling it to settlers, and, after the Treaty of Waitangi in 1840, many British families set out on the arduous six month journey from Britain to Aotearoa to start a new life. Early immigrants include:

Corbet Settlers in New Zealand in the 19th Century

J. Corbet, who arrived in Auckland, New Zealand aboard the ship "Cashmere" in 1854 9
Edward Corbet, who arrived in Auckland, New Zealand aboard the ship "Eastfield" in 1857
Sarah Corbet, who arrived in Auckland, New Zealand aboard the ship "Eastfield" in 1857
Mr. Edward Charles Corbet, British settler travelling from London aboard the ship "Eastfield" arriving in Auckland, New Zealand on 12th December 1857 10
Mrs. Sarah Corbet, British settler travelling from London aboard the ship "Eastfield" arriving in Auckland, New Zealand on 12th December 1857 10
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Contemporary Notables of the name Corbet (post 1700) +

Brady James Monson Corbet (b. 1988), American actor, best known for playing Mason Freeland in the film Thirteen
Sir John Vincent Corbet (1911-1996), 7th Baronet of Moreton Corbet, Shropshire, English peer
Sir Gerald Vincent Corbet (1868-1955), 6th Baronet of Moreton Corbet, Shropshire, English peer
Sir Roland James Corbet (1892-1915), 5th Baronet of Moreton Corbet, Shropshire, English peer
Sir Walter Orlando Corbet (1856-1910), 4th Baronet of Moreton Corbet, Shropshire, English peer
Sir Vincent Rowland Corbet (1821-1891), 3rd Baronet of Moreton Corbet, Shropshire, English peer
Sir Andrew Vincent Corbet (1800-1855), 2nd Baronet of Moreton Corbet, Shropshire, English peer
Sir Andrew Corbet (1766-1835), 1st Baronet of Moreton Corbet, Shropshire, English peer
Sir Henry Corbet (d. 1750), 6th Baronet of Stoke upon Tern, Shropshire, English peer
Sir William Corbet (1702-1748), 5th Baronet of Stoke upon Tern, Shropshire, English peer
... (Another 6 notables are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

The Corbet Motto +

The motto was originally a war cry or slogan. Mottoes first began to be shown with arms in the 14th and 15th centuries, but were not in general use until the 17th century. Thus the oldest coats of arms generally do not include a motto. Mottoes seldom form part of the grant of arms: Under most heraldic authorities, a motto is an optional component of the coat of arms, and can be added to or changed at will; many families have chosen not to display a motto.

Motto: Deus pascit corvos
Motto Translation: God feeds the ravens.

Citations +

Lower, Mark Anthony, Patronymica Britannica, A Dictionary of Family Names of the United Kingdom. London: John Russel Smith, 1860. Print.
Shirley, Evelyn Philip, The Noble and Gentle Men of England; The Arms and Descents. Westminster: John Bower Nichols and Sons, 1866, Print.
Burke, John Bernard, The Roll of Battle Abbey. London: Edward Churton, 26, Holles Street, 1848, Print.
Lewis, Samuel, A Topographical Dictionary of England. Institute of Historical Research, 1848, Print.
Guppy, Henry Brougham, Homes of Family Names in Great Britain. 1890. Print.
http://www.journaldesfemmes.com/nom-de-famille/nom/
Filby, P. William, Meyer, Mary K., Passenger and immigration lists index : a guide to published arrival records of about 500,000 passengers who came to the United States and Canada in the seventeenth, eighteenth, and nineteenth centuries. 1982-1985 Cumulated Supplements in Four Volumes Detroit, Mich. : Gale Research Co., 1985, Print (ISBN 0-8103-1795-8)
Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 12th January 2020). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/asia/1831
New Zealand Yesteryears Passenger Lists 1800 to 1900 (Retrieved 5th November 2010). Retrieved from http://www.yesteryears.co.nz/shipping/passlist.html
New Zealand Yesteryears Passenger Lists 1800 to 1900 (Retrieved 17th October 2018). Retrieved from http://www.yesteryears.co.nz/shipping/passlist.html