Contents [hide]

Dobb History Early Origins Early History Spelling Variations Early Notables

Ireland United States Australia New Zealand

Contemporary Notables Related Stories Motto Citations

Dobb History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
England
Ireland

The origins of the name Dobb are with the Anglo-Saxon tribes of Britain. The name is derived from Robert. Dobb was a diminutive of the name Robert in the Middle Ages; is has changed since then to the modern form Bob. 1

Early Origins of the Dobb family

The surname Dobb was first found in Lincolnshire where Dobbe filius Iuonis was listed there in the Assize Rolls of 1202. Dobbe le Deneby was listed in the Assize Rolls of Yorkshire in 1219 and later, Reginald, William Dobbe was listed in the Subsidy Rolls of Worcestershire in 1275. 2

The Hundredorum Rolls of 1273 listed William Dobbe in Norfolka and Robert Dobes in Oxfordshire. The Yorkshire Poll Tax Rolls of 1379 lists Johanna Dobbewf (the wife of Dob), Isabella Dobson and more. 3

In the early years, the name was interchangeable with the name Robert and was very common in Yorkshire, Lancashire, Cheshire and Staffordshire. By example, "Dobbe de Witemore (1307 - Assize Rolls for Staffordshire) is identical with Robert de Whitemore (1318.) Richardus filius Dobbe was the same man as Richard Dobbe (1297.)" 2

Early History of the Dobb family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Dobb research. Another 70 words (5 lines of text) covering the years 1202, 1450, 1689, 1694, 1754 and 1765 are included under the topic Early Dobb History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Dobb Spelling Variations

The first dictionaries that appeared in the last few hundred years did much to standardize the English language. Before that time, spelling variations in names were a common occurrence. The language was changing, incorporating pieces of other languages, and the spelling of names changed with it. Dobb has been spelled many different ways, including Dobbs, Dobb, Dobbe, Dobbes and others.

Early Notables of the Dobb family

Notables of this surname at this time include:

Sir Richard Dobbs

Migration of the Dobb family to Ireland

Some of the Dobb family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt.
Another 96 words (7 lines of text) about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Dobb migration to the United States +

Thousands of English families in this era began to emigrate the New World in search of land and freedom from religious and political persecution. Although the passage was expensive and the ships were dark, crowded, and unsafe, those who made the voyage safely were rewarded with opportunities unavailable to them in their homeland. Research into passenger and immigration lists has revealed some of the very first Dobbs to arrive in North America:

Dobb Settlers in United States in the 19th Century

Alexander Dobb, who settled in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in 1838
W. H. Dobb, who settled in New Castle Del. in 1838
Mr. John Dobb, (b. 1821), aged 21, Cornish miner departing from Penzance aboard the ship "Triton" arriving in the United States on 11 May 1842 4
Mr. James Dobb, (b. 1877), aged 22, Cornish miner travelling aboard the ship "Campania" arriving at Ellis Island, New York on 5th August 1899 en route to Houghton, Michigan, USA 5

Dobb migration to Australia +

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

Dobb Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century

Mr. Thomas Dobb, (b. 1871), aged 19, Cornish settler travelling aboard the ship "Tara" arriving in Queensland, Australia on 31st December 1890 6

Dobb 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:

Miss Nelly Dobb, (b. 1860), aged 15, Cornish servant departing on 12th October 1875 aboard the ship "Caroline" going to Marlborough, New Zealand arriving in port in 1875 7
Mr. Frederick A. Dobb, (b. 1850), aged 25, Cornish settler departing on 12th October 1875 aboard the ship "Caroline" going to Marlborough, New Zealand arriving in port in 1875 7
Miss Laura Dobb, (b. 1848), aged 27, Cornish housekeeper departing on 12th October 1875 aboard the ship "Caroline" going to Marlborough, New Zealand arriving in port in 1875 7
Mrs. Jane Dobb, (b. 1825), aged 50, Cornish housekeeper departing on 12th October 1875 aboard the ship "Caroline" going to Marlborough, New Zealand arriving in port in 1875 7

Contemporary Notables of the name Dobb (post 1700) +

Barbara J. Dobb (b. 1949), American Republican politician, Member of Michigan State House of Representatives, 1991-96 8

The Dobb 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: Proximi summa
Motto Translation: Nearest summit.

Citations +

Hanks, Patricia and Flavia Hodges, A Dictionary of Surnames. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1988. Print. (ISBN 0-19-211592-8)
Reaney, P.H and R.M. Wilson, A Dictionary of English Surnames. London: Routledge, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-415-05737-X)
Bardsley, C.W, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames: With Special American Instances. Wiltshire: Heraldry Today, 1901. Print. (ISBN 0-900455-44-6)
Cornwall Online Parish Clerks. (Retrieved 2018, April 30). Emigrants to New York 1820 - 1891 [PDF]. Retrieved from http://www.opc-cornwall.org/Resc/pdfs/emigration_new_york_1820_1891.pdf
Cornwall Online Parish Clerks. (Retrieved 3rd May 2018). Retrieved from http://www.opc-cornwall.org/Resc/pdfs/emigration_ellis_island_1892_on.pdf
Cornwall Online Parish Clerks. (Retreived 3rd May 2018). Retrieved from http://www.opc-cornwall.org/Resc/pdfs/emigration_australia_queensland.pdf
Cornwall Online Parish Clerks. (Retrieved 2018, April 30). Emigrants to other ports, 1872 - 84 [PDF]. Retrieved from http://www.opc-cornwall.org/Resc/pdfs/new_zealand_assisted.pdf
The Political Graveyard: Alphabetical Name Index. (Retrieved 2015, December 10) . Retrieved from http://politicalgraveyard.com/alpha/index.html