This interesting name is of medieval English origin and is a dialectal of the locational or topographical name Coombe, itself from any of the numerous places named with the Old English pre 7th Century "cumb", denoting a short, straight valley. There are a large number of places in England, mostly spelled Combe, generally found in the south West, for example Doron, Dorset, Somerset, Hampshire and Surrey, and this surname may have any of these places as its source, or perhaps a dweller in a "Cumb".
In the modern idiom the variants include "Co(u)mbe", Coom, Co(o)mb(e)s, Cumber(s) and Co(o)m(b)er. Amongst the sample recordings in Devon is the marriage between Mary Ann Coomber and John Pasmore on November 5th 1778, at Chittlehampton, and the christening of Philip Coombere on October 22nd 1780, at Stoke Fleming. The first recorded spelling of the family name is shown to be that of William le Combere (witness), which was dated 1260, in the "Assize Rolls of Cambridgeshire", during the reign of King Henry 111, known as "The Frenchman", 1216 - 1272. Surnames became necessary when governments introduced personal taxation. In England this was known as Poll Tax. Throughout the centuries, surnames in every country have continued to "develop" often leading to astonishing variants of the original spelling.
Research into the possible origins of combe leads us to learn more about those who bear this surname. Adhering to what we know about the way surnames originated, it is possible to offer a realistic explanation of the origins of combe.
There is a considerable probability that combe has crossed the borders of its place of origin to establish itself, to a greater or lesser extent, in other parts of the world. With all the information we have today, it can be said that the countries where combe is most abundant are the following.
The deeds, the way of life, the places they lived, the family relationships they had, the jobs they held by those who were the first to be named combe are found in every look back in the history of this lineage. In the following lines, you will find everything we have been able to gather about the surname combe.
It is common for genealogy and surname enthusiasts to provide us with information of special value, so the data we offer about the origins of combe could be modified.
We assume that there have been significant contributions to humanity made by individuals with the surname combe, even though not all have been documented to our present day. If you or someone you know bears the surname combe, you could potentially build illustrious lineages through your efforts and virtues. It is our desire to highlight in this section those individuals with the surname combe who, for various reasons, have left their mark on the course of history.
The bibliography collects information related to the surname combe, which allows us to learn more about its meaning. Accessing the archives of the town or towns where your ancestors were born and lived is, of course, a good way to trace the origins of combe.
These sources are essential for initiating the understanding of combe, and at the same time, of surnames in general.