CORBETT
Corbett is a surname of English, French and Scottish origin, tracing its roots to the Old French word corbet, meaning “little crow” or “raven.” The nickname was originally applied to an individual possessing dark hair or a dark complexion, and it may also have denoted a person who lived near a place associated with crows or ravens. In heraldic tradition the raven is considered a highly respected bird, often symbolising ferocity and intelligence, traits that may have been admired by early bearers of the name.
Recorded in several spellings—Corbet, Corbett, Corbitt, Carbert, Corbert and Corburt—the name is of Norman‑French origin. The earliest documented instance occurs in the year 1086 in the county of Shropshire, where the family name appears as Hugh Corbet. According to contemporary accounts, a Norman noble bearing the name arrived in England with William the Conqueror and, through his son Roger Corbet, founded a baronial house. The family subsequently acquired lands in Scotland, with Sir Richard Corbet granted estates in the region during the reign of William. Further possessions were secured in the early 12th century when Robert Corbet obtained the manor of Foghou from the earls of Dunbar, and the surname spread to Teviotdale and the manor of Malcarvestum.
Surviving church registers from London record the continuance of the name into the early modern period. In 1599, Anne Corbett married Richard Lee at St. Michael’s Cornhill, and in 1781 James Carbert married Ann Green at St. Peter’s Cornhill. These entries illustrate the surname’s persistence in the capital city over several centuries. Throughout this period the family maintained prudent ties to both English and Scottish gentry, reflecting their dual heritage.
In the present day the surname Corbett remains in use across the British Isles and beyond. Its historical associations with Norman nobility, as well as its descriptive origins linked to the raven, continue to be acknowledged by genealogical and heraldic scholars, who regard the name as a notable example of Anglo‑Scottish nomenclature derived from medieval French.
Typical given names associated with the Corbett surname
Male
- Andrew
- David
- James
- John
- Michael
- Peter
- Richard
- Robert
- Thomas
- William
Female
- Elizabeth
- Emma
- Helen
- Julie
- Laura
- Lisa
- Margaret
- Mary
- Patricia
- Sarah
- Susan
Similar and related surnames
Related and similar names are generated algorithmically based on the spelling, and may not necessarily share an etymology.
How to communicate the surname Corbett in...
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There are approximately 13,903 people named Corbett in the UK. That makes it the 644th most common surname in Britain. Around 213 in a million people in Britain are named Corbett.
Surname type: Diminutive
Origin: English
Region of origin: British Isles
Country of origin: England
Religion of origin: Christian
Language of origin: English
Famous people named Corbett
- Jim Corbett - Hunter, tracker and naturalist (1875 to 1955)
- Ronnie Corbett - Scottish stand-up comedian, actor, writer, broadcaster, and comedian (1930 to 2016)
- Harry H. Corbett - Actor (1925 to 1982)
- Susannah Corbett - Actress and author
- Harry Corbett - Puppeteer (1918 to 1989)
- John Corbett - Born 1961; American actor and country music singer
- Matthew Corbett - Television presenter
- Richard Corbett - Member of European Parliament
- Julian Corbett - Naval historian (1854 to 1922)
- Arthur Corbett, 3rd Baron Rowallan - Baron (1919 to 1993)
- Thomas Corbett, 2nd Baron Rowallan - Baron and scout leader (1895 to 1977)
- Kari Corbett - Scottish actress, artist, filmmaker
- James Corbett - Writer
- Gerald Corbett - Businessman
- Leonora Corbett - Actress (1908 to 1960)
- Jimmy Corbett - Football player
- Frederick Corbett - Recipient of the Victoria Cross (1853 to 1912)
- Archibald Corbett, 1st Baron Rowallan - Politician (1856 to 1933)
- Pat Corbett - Football player
- Marjorie Corbett - Actor (1912 to 1995)
Names and descriptions courtesy of Wikipedia, and may contain errors. This is not intended to be an exhaustive list of every famous person with this name.