Hobbs History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms 

Origins Available: 
  England 


The Hobbs family name is linked to the ancient Anglo-Saxon culture of Britain. Their name comes from the son of Robert. 1 2

"Hob, patronymic Hobbs and Hobson. Naturally these surnames have left many descendants. Owing to its popularity Hob became the everyday term for a country clown." 3

Early Origins of the Hobbs family

The surname Hobbs was first found in Shropshire where the name first entry was as a forename as in Hobbe Litel, who was listed in the Pipe Rolls of 1176. A few years later, Hobb(e) (with no forename) was listed in the Curia Regis Rolls for Northumberland in 1198, the Pipe Rolls for Yorkshire and the Curia Regis Rolls for Worcester in 1205. These entries may be of the same person, but that is doubtful. Moving on, Osbert, Ralph Hobbe was found in the Pipe Rolls for Rutland in 1204, and again in the Pipe Rolls for Warwickshire in 1230. Isabella Hobbes was in the Subsidy Rolls for Worcester in 1327. 4

The Hundredorum Rolls of 1273 included: Agnes Hobbis, Huntingdonshire; and John Hobbe, Oxfordshire. 3

In Somerset, John Hobbes and William Hobbeson, were both listed 1 Edward III (during the first year of King Edward III's reign). 5

Later, the Yorkshire Poll Tax Rolls of 1379 listed: Willelmus Hobbes; Petrus Hobbeson; Willelmus Hobbeson; and Robertus Hobson. 3

Early History of the Hobbs family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Hobbs research. Another 85 words (6 lines of text) covering the years 1198, 1529, 1532, 1538, 1569, 1588 and 1679 are included under the topic Early Hobbs History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Hobbs Spelling Variations

Until the dictionary, an invention of only the last few hundred years, the English language lacked any comprehensive system of spelling rules. Consequently, spelling variations in names are frequently found in early Anglo-Saxon and later Anglo-Norman documents. One person's name was often spelled several different ways over a lifetime. The recorded variations of Hobbs include Hobbs, Hobs, Hobbes, Hobis, Hopp, Hoppe, Hopps and many more.

Early Notables of the Hobbs family

Distinguished members of the family include

Hobbs World Ranking

In the United States, the name Hobbs is the 638th most popular surname with an estimated 47,253 people with that name. 6 However, in Newfoundland, Canada, the name Hobbs is ranked the 204th most popular surname with an estimated 205 people with that name. 7 And in Australia, the name Hobbs is the 456th popular surname with an estimated 8,324 people with that name. 8 New Zealand ranks Hobbs as 571st with 1,244 people. 9 The United Kingdom ranks Hobbs as 424th with 15,291 people. 10


Hobbs migration to the United States +

Thousands of English families boarded ships sailing to the New World in the hope of escaping the unrest found in England at this time. Although the search for opportunity and freedom from persecution abroad took the lives of many because of the cramped conditions and unsanitary nature of the vessels, the opportunity perceived in the growing colonies of North America beckoned. Many of the settlers who survived the journey went on to make important contributions to the transplanted cultures of their adopted countries. The Hobbs were among these contributors, for they have been located in early North American records:

Hobbs Settlers in United States in the 17th Century
Hobbs Settlers in United States in the 18th Century
Hobbs Settlers in United States in the 19th Century

Hobbs migration to Canada +

Some of the first settlers of this family name were:

Hobbs Settlers in Canada in the 18th Century
Hobbs Settlers in Canada in the 19th Century

Hobbs migration to Australia +

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

Hobbs Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century

Hobbs 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:

Hobbs Settlers in New Zealand in the 19th Century

Hobbs migration to West Indies +

The British first settled the British West Indies around 1604. They made many attempts but failed in some to establish settlements on the Islands including Saint Lucia and Grenada. By 1627 they had managed to establish settlements on St. Kitts (St. Christopher) and Barbados, but by 1641 the Spanish had moved in and destroyed some of these including those at Providence Island. The British continued to expand the settlements including setting the First Federation in the British West Indies by 1674; some of the islands include Barbados, Bermuda, Cayman Island, Turks and Caicos, Jamaica and Belize then known as British Honduras. By the 1960's many of the islands became independent after the West Indies Federation which existed from 1958 to 1962 failed due to internal political conflicts. After this a number of Eastern Caribbean islands formed a free association. 19
Hobbs Settlers in West Indies in the 17th Century

Contemporary Notables of the name Hobbs (post 1700) +


Suggested Readings for the name Hobbs +
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