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Show ContentsCorbett History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms
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Family Crest Download (JPG) Heritage Series - 600 DPI

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From the historical and enchanting region of Normandy emerged a multitude of noble families, including the distinguished Corbett 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 Corbett is a nickname type of surname for a person with dark hair. Tracing the origin of the name further, we found the name Corbett was originally derived from the Old French word "corbeau," which means "raven." 1

Early Origins of the Corbett family

The surname Corbett 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 Corbett family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Corbett 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 Corbett History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Corbett Spelling Variations

A multitude of spelling variations characterize Norman surnames. Many variations occurred because Old and Middle English lacked any definite spelling rules. The introduction of Norman French to England also had a pronounced effect, as did the court languages of Latin and French. Therefore, one person was often referred to by several different spellings in a single lifetime. The various spellings include Corbett, Corbet, Corbetts, Corbit, Corbitt, Corbitts and many more.

Early Notables of the Corbett family

Outstanding amongst the family at this time was

  • Sir Robert Corbett of Selkirk Abbey

Corbett World Ranking

In the United States, the name Corbett is the 1,114th most popular surname with an estimated 27,357 people with that name. 6 However, in Canada, the name Corbett is ranked the 919th most popular surname with an estimated 5,902 people with that name. 7 And in Newfoundland, Canada, the name Corbett is the 555th popular surname with an estimated 83 people with that name. 8 Australia ranks Corbett as 697th with 5,636 people. 9 New Zealand ranks Corbett as 323rd with 1,911 people. 10 The United Kingdom ranks Corbett as 597th with 10,971 people. 11

Ireland Migration of the Corbett family to Ireland

Some of the Corbett 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.

United States Corbett migration to the United States +

Many English families left England, to avoid the chaos of their homeland and migrated to the many British colonies abroad. Although the conditions on the ships were extremely cramped, and some travelers arrived diseased, starving, and destitute, once in the colonies, many of the families prospered and made valuable contributions to the cultures of what would become the United States and Canada. Research into the origins of individual families in North America has revealed records of the immigration of a number of people bearing the name Corbett or a variant listed above:

Corbett Settlers in United States in the 17th Century
  • Robert Corbett, who arrived in Virginia in 1635 12
  • Robert Corbett who settled in Virginia in 1655
  • Henry Corbett, who arrived in Maryland in 1656 12
  • Mary Corbett, who landed in Virginia in 1658 12
  • John Corbett, who landed in Maryland in 1665 12
  • ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)
Corbett Settlers in United States in the 18th Century
  • Edward Corbett, aged 20, who landed in Charleston, South Carolina in 1774 12
Corbett Settlers in United States in the 19th Century
  • Pierce Corbett, aged 22, who landed in New York, NY in 1804 12
  • Samuel Corbett, who arrived in New York, NY in 1812 12
  • Winslow Corbett, aged 24, who landed in America in 1821 12
  • M Corbett, aged 20, who arrived in America in 1822 12
  • Timothy Corbett, who arrived in Boston, Massachusetts in 1845 12
  • ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Canada Corbett migration to Canada +

Some of the first settlers of this family name were:

Corbett Settlers in Canada in the 18th Century
  • Thomas Corbett, who landed in Nova Scotia in 1749
  • Hanah Corbett, who landed in Nova Scotia in 1750
  • John Corbett, who arrived in Nova Scotia in 1750
  • Mr. John Corbett U.E. who arrived at Port Roseway [Shelburne], Nova Scotia on October 26, 1783, passenger number 289 aboard the ship "HMS Clinton", picked up on September 28, 1783 at Staten Island, New York 13
Corbett Settlers in Canada in the 19th Century
  • Thady Corbett, aged 21, a labourer, who arrived in Saint John, New Brunswick in 1834 aboard the brig "Trafalgar" from Galway, Ireland
  • John Corbett, aged 27, a labourer, who arrived in Saint John, New Brunswick in 1834 aboard the brig "Trafalgar" from Galway, Ireland
  • Denis Corbett, aged 23, a labourer, who arrived in Saint John, New Brunswick in 1837 aboard the barque "Robert Watt" from Cork, Ireland
  • Mary Corbett, aged 21, who arrived in Saint John, New Brunswick in 1837 aboard the barque "Robert Watt" from Cork, Ireland
  • Mr. James Corbett, aged 30 who immigrated to Canada, arriving at the Grosse Isle Quarantine Station in Quebec aboard the ship "Yorkshire Lass" departing from the port of Killala, Ireland but died on Grosse Isle in August 1847 14
  • ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Australia Corbett migration to Australia +

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

Corbett Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century
  • Mr. Patrick Corbett, (b. 1780), aged 40, Irish labourer who was convicted in Galway, Ireland for 7 years for sedition, transported aboard the "Dorothy" on 5th May 1820, arriving in New South Wales, Australia 15
  • Mr. Thomas Corbett, English convict who was convicted in York, Yorkshire, England for 10 years, transported aboard the "Duncan" on 10th December 1840, arriving in Tasmania (Van Diemen's Land) 16
  • Miss Margaret Corbett, (b. 1833), aged 18, Irish nursery maid who was convicted in County Clare, Ireland for 15 years for stealing, transported aboard the "Blackfriar" on 24th January 1851, arriving in Tasmania (Van Diemen's Land) 17
  • Henry Corbett, who arrived in Adelaide, Australia aboard the ship "Hibernia" in 1851 18
  • Matthew Corbett, aged 26, who arrived in South Australia in 1852 aboard the ship "Phoebe Dunbar" 19
  • ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

New Zealand Corbett 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:

Corbett Settlers in New Zealand in the 19th Century
  • William Corbett, who landed in Wellington, New Zealand in 1840
  • William Corbett, who landed in Epsom, Auckland, New Zealand in 1842
  • Mr. Corbett, British settler travelling from London aboard the ship "Phoebe" arriving in Wellington, New Zealand on 18th April 1843 20
  • Mr. Corbett, British settler travelling from Gravesend, UK aboard the ship "Duke of Portland" arriving in New Plymouth, North Island, New Zealand in 1855 21
  • Mrs. Corbett, British settler travelling from Gravesend with 4 children aboard the ship "Duke of Portland" arriving in New Plymouth, North Island, New Zealand in 1855 21
  • ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Contemporary Notables of the name Corbett (post 1700) +

  • Kizzmekia "Kizzy" Shanta Corbett (b. 1986), American viral immunologist. She is the Shutzer Assistant Professor at the Harvard Radcliffe Institute and assistant professor of immunology and infectious diseases at Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health. Appointed to the VRC in 2014, Corrbett was the scientific lead of the VRC's Coronavirus Team
  • Thomas Wingett Corbett Jr. (b. 1949), American politician and attorney, 46th Governor of Pennsylvania from January 18, 2011 to January 20, 2015
  • Alfred Hoyt Corbett (1915-2000), American attorney, businessman, and politician, Oregon State Senator (1957-1964), Member of the Oregon House of Representatives (1953-1956)
  • John Joseph Corbett Jr. (b. 1961), American actor and country music singer
  • Glenn Corbett (1933-1993), American actor, best known for his role on CBS's adventure drama Route 66 and for the one appearance as Zefram Cochrane in Star Trek (1967)
  • Ben Corbett (1892-1961), American film actor who appeared in 283 films between 1915 and 1956
  • Thomas P. "Boston" Corbett (1832-1894), American Union Army soldier who shot and killed Abraham Lincoln's assassin, John Wilkes Booth
  • Henry Winslow Corbett (1827-1903), American businessman and politician in the state of Oregon
  • David Frank Corbett (1940-2020), English professional footballer from Marshfield, England who played 152 matches as a right winger
  • Ted Corbett (1935-2017), English cricket writer and sports journalist
  • ... (Another 8 notables are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)
HMS Prince of Wales
  • Mr. Leslie Rawson Corbett (1917-1942), English Sick Berth Attendant from England, who sailed into battle on the HMS Prince of Wales and survived the sinking, was listed as missing and presumed killed during the evacuation of Singapore 1942 22
RMS Titanic
  • Mrs. Irene Corbett (d. 1912), (née Colvin), aged 30, American Second Class passenger from Provo, Utah who sailed aboard the RMS Titanic and died in the sinking 23
SS Newfoundland
  • Mr. Patrick Corbett (1891-1914), Newfoundlander from Clark's Beach,, who on the 30th March 1914 he was part of the Seal Crew of the "SS Newfoundland" leaving the ship to intercept the Stephano which took him to the hunting grounds, he disembarked to begin sealing, but was caught in a thickening storm, attempting to return to the Newfoundland he and the 132 crew made camp for two days the sealers were stranded on the ice in a blizzard attempting to return to the ship, he died during this time
SS Southern Cross
  • Mr. Joseph Corbett (1895-1914), Newfoundlander from Clarke's Beach who was aboard the "SS Southern Cross" when it is suspected she sank between the 31st March 1914 and early April during the storm with a heavy load of pelts; no survivors were ever found

The Corbett 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.

Suggested Readings for the name Corbett +

  • The Corbett Family in England and America by Henry R. Corbett.
  • The Descendants of Robert Corbett of Weymouth, Massachusetts by Melvin C. Corbett.
  1. Lower, Mark Anthony, Patronymica Britannica, A Dictionary of Family Names of the United Kingdom. London: John Russel Smith, 1860. Print.
  2. Shirley, Evelyn Philip, The Noble and Gentle Men of England; The Arms and Descents. Westminster: John Bower Nichols and Sons, 1866, Print.
  3. Burke, John Bernard, The Roll of Battle Abbey. London: Edward Churton, 26, Holles Street, 1848, Print.
  4. Lewis, Samuel, A Topographical Dictionary of England. Institute of Historical Research, 1848, Print.
  5. Guppy, Henry Brougham, Homes of Family Names in Great Britain. 1890. Print.
  6. "What are the 5,000 Most Common Last Names in the U.S.?". NameCensus.com, https://namecensus.com/last-names/
  7. "Surnames Meanings, Origins & Distribution Maps - Forebears." Forebears, https://forebears.io/surnames
  8. The order of Common Surnames in 1955 in Newfoundland retrieved on 20th October 2021 (retrieved from Family Names of the Island of Newfoundland by E.R. Seary corrected edition ISBN 0-7735-1782-0)
  9. "Most Common Last Names in Australia." Forebears, https://forebears.io/australia/surnames
  10. "Most Common Last Names in New Zealand." Forebears, https://forebears.io/new-zealand/surnames
  11. "UK surname ranking." UK Surname map, https://www.surnamemap.eu/unitedkingdom/surnames_ranking.php?p=10
  12. 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)
  13. Rubincam, Milton. The Old United Empire Loyalists List. Genealogical Publishing Co., Inc, 1976. (Originally published as; United Empire Loyalists. The Centennial of the Settlement of Upper Canada. Rose Publishing Company, 1885.) ISBN 0-8063-0331-X
  14. Charbonneau, André, and Doris Drolet-Dubé. A Register of Deceased Persons at Sea and on Grosse Île in 1847. The Minister of Canadian Heritage, 1997. ISBN: 0-660-198/1-1997E (p. 21)
  15. Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 12th July 2021). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/dorothy
  16. Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 11th August 2021). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/duncan
  17. Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 13th October 2020). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/blackfriar
  18. State Records of South Australia. (Retrieved 2010, November 5) HIBERNIA 1851. Retrieved http://www.slsa.sa.gov.au/BSA/1851Hibernia.gif
  19. South Australian Register Tuesday 3 February 1852. (Retrieved 2010, November 5) PHOEBE DUNBAR 1852. Retrieved http://www.theshipslist.com/ships/australia/phoebedunbar1852.shtml
  20. New Zealand Yesteryears Passenger Lists 1800 to 1900 (Retrieved 26th March 2019). Retrieved from http://www.yesteryears.co.nz/shipping/passlist.html
  21. New Zealand Yesteryears Passenger Lists 1800 to 1900 (Retrieved 17th October 2018). Retrieved from http://www.yesteryears.co.nz/shipping/passlist.html
  22. HMS Prince of Wales Crew members. (Retrieved 2014, April 9) . Retrieved from http://www.forcez-survivors.org.uk/biographies/listprincecrew.html
  23. Titanic Passenger List - Titanic Facts. (Retrieved 2016, July 13) . Retrieved from http://www.titanicfacts.net/titanic-passenger-list.html
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