Arthur, William (1857) An Etymological Dictionary of Family and Christian Names. New York: Sheldon, Blakeman. Public Domain.
COLBY
As described in historical dictionaries
An Etymological Dictionary of Family and Christian Names (1857)
(origin: Local) Kolbye, a town in Denmark; Col, with or near, the "by" or town.
Patronymica Britannica (1860)
COLBY. A parish in Norfolk, and a township in Westmoreland. COLCHESTER. The town in Essex.
Lower, Mark A (1860) Patronymica Britannica: a dictionary of the family names of the United Kingdom. London: J.R. Smith. Public Domain.
Surname type: Location or geographical feature
Origin: English
Region of origin: British Isles
Country of origin: England
Religion of origin: Christian
Language of origin: English