Surname Cobett - Meaning and Origin

Cobett: What does the surname Cobett mean?

The last name Cobett is of English origin. It is derived from the Old English personal name Cobba. The Old English cobba was a nickname for someone with a projectile-shaped head. The suffix "-ett" would have been added to the name to create an English patronymic surname, meaning "son of Cobba". It likely originated in the 12th century in the south of England.

Cobett may also have evolved from "Cobbold" a much older English surname. The root of the name "Cobbold" is "Cobbe" which is derived from an Old Norse term meaning "small rounded battle shield". This name was likely used to refer to a person with the traits of a confident and brave warrior.

The most common spelling of the Cobett surname in England is Cob bett. Other spellings of this name include Cobbutt, Cobbet, Cobit, Cobbett, Cobbed, Cobbald, and Cobeld.

Today, people who hold the Cobett name often live in regions that were historically part of the former British Empire, such as Australia, Canada, New Zealand, and South Africa. The Cobett name is also prevalent in the United States, most likely due to the wave of British immigrants who arrived in America in the 17th and 18th centuries.

Cobett: Where does the name Cobett come from?

The surname Cobett is a relatively uncommon name, but can be found mostly throughout parts of Europe, specifically England and France. In England, it can be found concentrated mainly in the areas of the North East and East Midlands.

In France, Cobett is slightly more common than in England, with scattered occurrences throughout the country, but most frequently found in the south and southeast. It is also found in significantly lesser numbers across Germany, the Netherlands, Finland, and Sweden.

In the United States, the surname is present but fairly rare. It is most commonly found in New England states such as Connecticut and Massachusetts, as well as Rhode Island, New York, and New Jersey. Smaller numbers of people sharing the family name can also be found in California, Illinois, Ohio, Pennsylvania, and Texas, as well as Washington, DC and other states.

Cobett is virtually unheard of in the southern and midwestern United States. Even with the generally higher population numbers found in the northern part of the country, the prevalence of the family name is still low. It is estimated that there are less than 500 individuals with the last surname Cobett living in the United States today.

Variations of the surname Cobett

The surname Cobett is a variation of several surnames, including Coblentz, Coblentz, Coblanc, Cobblanc, Coblan, Cobbent, Cobben, Cobban, Cobbant, Cobham, Colbant, Colbanc, and Coburn. The earliest known recorded name bearer, Sobeni Coblenz, was mentioned in a document dated 1066. It is believed that the name Cobett is of Anglo-Saxon origin, derived from the Old English language.

The original spelling of the surname Cobett was Coblenza or Coblenz, with the Coblenza spelling being the earliest, appearing in the 10th century. It is believed that the Coblenza form is derived from the Middle English "cobbed" which meant a lump of coal or charcoal, or from the Gaelic root "coilleanad".

The variations of Cobett are mainly found in English-speaking countries, such as the United States, Australia, Canada, and New Zealand. Other variations, such as Colbant, Colbanc, Coblan, and Cobban, are typically found in France.

Variations of the Cobett surname are also found in other European countries as well. These include Cobelnitz (Germany); Coblentz (Austria), Koblantz (Poland); Coblenčana (Croatia). Spellings such as Koblenz (Germany), Colbentz (Poland), and Coban (Hungary) are also found in Central and Eastern European countries.

In the United States alone, there are a variety of versions of the Cobett name found throughout the country, from Cobblen to Cobblentz. The spelling Coburn appears to be more popular in Ireland and Scotland.

Most variations of the Cobett surname are pronounced with either a soft ‘c’ or a ‘t’ sound at the end, as in “Coblenza" or “Coblenz."

Famous people with the name Cobett

• Selina Cottrell-Cobett: Selina is a British Polymath and award winning photographer who was recently awarded a portrait commission from the National Portrait Gallery.
• Paul Cobett: A British actor, best known for his roles in the television series Teachers and the ITV drama Dark Angel.
• William Olmstead Cobett: Also known as Bill Cobett, a former professional American football guard who played in the National Football League (NFL) for the St. Louis Gunners.
• Viktoria Cobett: A singer/songwriter from the U.K who has been recording and performing her own songs since 2011.
• Albert Augustus Cobett: A British cartoonist and illustrator best known for his work on the Punch magazine. 6.Charles Cobett: A British actor, best known for his role in the award-winning television series Sherlock.
• Tabitha Cobett: A British actress and and television presenter, best known for her appearances on The Reality Show and Who Wants to be a Superhero.
• Holly Cobett: An actress best known for her roles in the films The Girl Next Door and The 40-Year-Old Virgin.
• Graham Cobett: An actor who has appeared in both British and American television series such as Band of Brothers and Emmerdale.
• Adam Cobett: A British actor who has appeared in productions such as The Starter Wife, Children of Dune, and The Fall.

Other surnames

Cobet