Surname Cobb - Meaning and Origin
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Cobb: What does the surname Cobb mean?
The surname Cobb has multiple origins and meanings. Predominantly, it is of English origin and derives from the Old English word 'Cobba', which signifies a 'leader', 'head' or 'chieftain'. The term 'Cobba' was commonly used as a personal nickname in the medieval period to describe a large, well-built, impressive man. Another theory suggests that the name could also refer to 'a man who lived or worked by a harbor barrier or a dam', as 'Cob' is also a Middle English term for a 'sea wall' or an 'embankment'. The name is ancient and can be traced back to several centuries in England.
Another potential origin of the surname Cobb is Jewish, deriving from the Hebrew name Jacob meaning 'supplanter' or 'one who follows'. In several cases, the surname Cobb may have been Anglicized from the German surname 'Kob'.
Therefore, the exact meaning could vary based on family histories and lineages. The Cobb surname is popular in the United States, United Kingdom and other English-speaking countries. Some notable people with this surname include baseball player Ty Cobb and actor Lee J. Cobb.
Order DNA origin analysisCobb: Where does the name Cobb come from?
The surname Cobb originates from Britain and is derived from two possible sources. It could be a topographic name for someone who lived near a prominent rock, from the Old English word "cobba" meaning large pebble. Alternatively, it could be a metonymic occupational name for a man who bred or kept male birds, from the Middle English word "cobb" meaning “cock” or “rooster”.
The surname Cobb was first found in Suffolk, England, where the Cobb family held a family seat from early times. After the Norman Conquest of England in 1066, the family moved to other parts of Britain and also spread to other English-speaking countries.
Today, the Cobb surname is most commonly found in the United States, followed by England and Australia. According to Forebears, a website that tracks the prevalence of surnames worldwide, there were approximately 104,895 individuals with the Cobb surname around the world in 2014. Nearly 70% of these individuals live in the United States, indicating that it is far more common in the United States than in its country of origin. The highest concentrations of people bearing the Cobb surname in the United States are in the southern states, particularly in Georgia, North Carolina, and Texas.
Variations of the surname Cobb
The name "Cobb" has a few variants and is connected to other surnames through common roots. Variations can include Cobbe, Cobbs, and Cobbet. Related to regional distribution, depending on where the family lived, other spellings might emerge. In England, a common surname with the same origin is Cobham, derived from places named Cobham in Surrey and Kent. Similarly, in Germany, the name can appear as Kobbe.
The Cobb surname is believed to have originated from the pre-7th-century English word "cobba," which translates to "leading man", "haughty or superior person", or "he who brought the court to order with his hammer". It might also stem from a topographic feature, referring to someone who lived by a harbor wall or dam, known as a "cobb" in ancient English. These occupational or locational meanings influenced the many variants of the surname.
Cob, Kobb, or Kobbé could be other potential variations, while regional pronunciation and historical reductions might have led to different spellings of the same origin surname. However, it's crucial to remember that surname derivations can be complex and a definitive lineage for these names might not always be apparent.
Famous people with the name Cobb
- Ty Cobb: An American Baseball Hall of Famer known for his aggressive playing style.
- Lee J. Cobb: A famous American actor known for his performances in "12 Angry Men" and "On the Waterfront."
- Al Cobb: Renowned actor, known for his work in several films like "In the Heat of the Night."
- Howard Cobb: An American actor who starred in "The Hustler" and "12 Angry Men."
- Charles Cobb Jr.: Noted business executive, ambassador, and philanthropist.
- Vinnette Justine Carroll Cobb: An American actress and the first African-American woman to direct on Broadway.
- Braden Cobb: Known for his work on "Avengers: Age of Ultron" and "Captain America: Civil War."
- Irvin S. Cobb: A famous American author, humorist, writer, and columnist.
- Tandy Cobb: Renowned American football player.
- Arnett Cobb: Famous American jazz tenor saxophonist.
- Randall Cobb: American Football wide receiver currently with the Dallas Cowboys.
- Jimmy Cobb: Esteemed American jazz drummer.
- Frank I. Cobb: Noted American journalist and editor of the "New York World" newspaper.
- Jewell Cobb: Renowned cell biologist, third black woman to earn a PhD in Biology.
- Julie Cobb: American actress famous for her role in Star Trek.