This interesting surname, chiefly found in Scotland, derives from the medieval male given name Dobbe, itself a pet form of Robert, from the Old Germanic "Hrodebert", a compound of "hrod", renown, and "berht", bright, famous. The name was initially introduced into England during the reign of Edward the Confessor (1042 - 1066), but took hold after the Norman Conquest. Rodbertus, Rotbert and Robert (without surname) appear in the Domesday Book of 1086. The subsequent popularity of the name gave rise to a variety of diminutive and pet forms including: Robb, Robbie, Dobb, Dobby, Nob and Bob.
The forms Dob(b)y and Dob(b)ie contain the familiar suffix "(e)y" or "ie" which, when attached to a noun or personal name, denotes smallness and expresses affection. The forename "Dobbei" was recorded in the 1212 Curia Regis Rolls of Yorkshire, and a Dobi Spendluf was noted in Peebleshire, Scotland, in 1457. The surname had emerged by the late 13th Century, however, and early examples include: Walter Dobby (Worcestershire, 1327), and Thomas Doby, burgess of Peblis (Peebles), 1471; John Dobie (Lanarkshire, 1490), and Sir Alexander Doby, a Pope's Knight (Perthshire, 1506). On April 6th 1619, William Dobby, an infant, was christened at St. Martin in the Fields, Westminster, London. The Coat of Arms most associated with the name is a red shield with a silver sword in pale, hilted gold, and two crescents in chief of the second. A hand holding a scroll of paper between two branches of laurel in orle all proper, is on the Crest. The first recorded spelling of the family name is shown to be that of John Doby, which was dated 1273, in the "Hundred Rolls of Lincolnshire", during the reign of King Edward 1, known as "The Hammer of the Scots", 1272 - 1307. 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.
The history of the surname dobie is, like that of most surnames, a complex and fascinating journey to ancient times with the aim of unraveling the origin of dobie. The origin, the coat of arms or the different heraldic shields, and the bibliography in which the surname dobie is mentioned are part of this exciting investigation. Adhering to what we know about the way surnames originated, it is possible to offer a realistic explanation of the origins of dobie.
It is common for surnames like dobie to become known in places far removed from their country or region of origin. Discover which ones. The list of countries with a higher presence of people with the surname dobie provides us with a perspective on the history of the surname, beyond its origins, focusing on its migrations.
The historical journey of the surname dobie can be traced back to those who were the first bearers of dobie. For those like you, who are interested in the history hidden behind the surname dobie, it is essential to find all kinds of information, both direct and tangential, that helps to construct a solid narrative of how the birth and expansion of dobie developed. In the following lines, you will find everything we have been able to gather about the surname dobie.
You can visit us regularly to get more information about the origin of the surname dobie, as we frequently accept significant contributions from other individuals interested in heraldry and the history of surnames. We keep our website updated through our own research and also thanks to contributions from people like you, after verification; so if you have information about dobie and send it to us, we will update it on this website.
Unfortunately, it's highly probable that not all dobies who performed notable deeds have been included in historical chronicles and records. Sadly, not all the contributions of those who bore the surname dobie were recorded by the chroniclers of the time. If you or someone you know bears the surname dobie, 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 dobie who, for various reasons, have left their mark on the course of history.
It goes without saying that consulting bibliographic and documentary sources is essential when accessing information about the origins of the surname dobie. The origin, history, coat of arms or different coats of arms, and the heraldry of dobie are recorded in a wide variety of sources and documents that are essential to know for better compilation. 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 dobie.
These sources are essential for initiating the understanding of dobie, and at the same time, of surnames in general.