Surname Korbett - Meaning and Origin
all surnames with 'K'
Korbett: What does the surname Korbett mean?
The last name Korbett is a topographic surname which originated as an anglicised version of an older Gaelic surname. It is derived from the Gaelic word 'corrbetta', which means 'a steep place'. This suggests that the original bearer of the surname likely lived on a steep hill or a rocky outcropping.
The Korbett surname can be found in record books and census records in England from the 15th century onward. In many English records, the name is spelled as now “Corbet” which is the Old French spelling of the Gaelic name.
During the 19th century, many members of the Korbett family emigrated from England to North America and Australia. Records of these migrations are discussed in genealogy websites.
Korbett is also one of the Scottish clan names. Members of the clan historically held land in Ireland and were loyal to the crown and the Church of Scotland. The surname appears in The Surnames of Scotland, a book written in the late 19th century which discusses the history and origins of various Scottish clans and their associated surnames.
Today, Korbett is relatively uncommon, yet still found mostly in countries such as England, Ireland, Scotland, and the United States. People who bear this surname tend to be strong and independent; traits which likely stem from their ancestors who likely needed these qualities to survive in the rugged terrain where they first settled.
Order DNA origin analysisKorbett: Where does the name Korbett come from?
The surname Korbett is of Anglo-Saxon origin, derived from the name "Corbet," which in turn comes from the Old Norman French diminutive "Corb," meaning crow or raven, and the suffix "-ett". The name was likely a nickname originally given to someone with dark hair or a dark complexion, resembling the color of a crow or raven.
This surname was first found in Shropshire, England, where the family held a family seat from ancient times. The Normans, who introduced this last name to England after the Battle of Hastings in 1066, also formed ‘House Corbet,’ one of the 15 noble houses of ancient Shropshire.
Despite its origins being from the United Kingdom, today this surname can be found in various countries due to migration and diaspora over the centuries. It is most common in English-speaking countries such as the United States, Canada, and Australia and to a lesser extent in England. Nevertheless, the concentration of people with the Korbett surname is still relatively low, and it's not considered a common surname in these countries.
Variations of the surname Korbett
The surname Korbett is not very common and its possible variations can include Corbett, Corbitt, Corbit, Corbette, Korbit, and possibly also Carbett or Carbit. It may have evolved from the Norman surname Corbeau or Corbet, brought to the British Isles during the Norman Conquest in 1066. Corbeau means "raven" in French, and was often adopted as a nickname for someone with dark hair or complexion.
Corbet and Corbett are found in historical records from England and Scotland, a testament to their Norman origin. Some Corbetts may have French or Irish ancestry too. In Ireland, it may be an anglicized form of the Gaelic O'Corbáin or MacCorbáin, patronymics that mean "son of Corban." Korbett, while less common, may be found in German-speaking countries as a variant or anglicisation. Like all names, the spelling could have been influenced by personal preference, literacy levels, or clerical errors at the time of recording. So, variations can be widely spread and occasionally unexpected. The spelling with "K" rather than "C" might also reflect Eastern European versions.
Famous people with the name Korbett
There don't appear to be many famous people with the exact spelling "Korbett." However, there are some notable individuals with similar spellings. These include Allen Corbett, a Republican politician from Texas and Art Corbett, an English actor. Chris Corbett, an Australian playwright, and Victoria 'Tori' Corbett, an actress, are also noteworthy. There also exists a fictional character, Simon Corbett, from the popular show "The Tomorrow People." Finally, there's Barry Corbett, a former rugby player from New Zealand. It's important to note that the level of fame for these individuals varies greatly, and some might be more regionally known rather than internationally recognized. Please note that without exact spelling, it might be hard to identify notable figures accurately. Please, kindly provide if there is an alternate spelling of the name you're interested in.