COMBE

Origin and etymology In historic texts In the 1881 census Distribution map

Combe

Combe is a surname of English origin derived from the Old English word "cumb," meaning a deep narrow valley or hollow. The name is primarily found in the south of England, particularly in the counties of Somerset, Devon, and Sussex.

The first recorded instance of the surname Combe dates back to the Domesday Book of 1086, where a person named Combe is listed as a landholder in various counties across England. Over time, the surname has spread to other parts of the country and has undergone variations in spelling, such as Coombe or Coombes.

Notable individuals bearing the surname Combe include Sir William Combe (1742–1823), an English writer and compiler, known for his work on the history of Warwickshire; and George Combe (1788–1858), a Scottish lawyer and phrenologist who contributed significantly to the field of phrenology.

The name Combe is often associated with rural landscapes and natural beauty, reflecting its origin in the geographical features of valleys and hollows. Today, individuals bearing the surname Combe can be found across the United Kingdom and in other parts of the world, reflecting the migration patterns of families over the centuries.

There are approximately 1,085 people named Combe in the UK. That makes it roughly the 6,931st most common surname in Britain. Around 17 in a million people in Britain are named Combe.

Surname type: Location or geographical feature

Origin: Celtic

Region of origin: British Isles

Country of origin: Scotland

Religion of origin: Christian

Language of origin: Gaelic

Typical given names associated with the surname

Male

Alexander
Andrew
Christopher
David
Ian
James
John
Jonathan
Michael
Stephen
William

Female

Agnes
Caroline
Catherine
Dorothy
Elizabeth
Fiona
Janet
Jean
Margaret
Mary
Moira
Nicola
Sarah
Susan

Similar and related surnames

Related and similar names are generated algorithmically based on the spelling, and may not necessarily share an etymology.