Surname Corbitt - Meaning and Origin

Unearthing the Celtic Heritage of the Corbitt Surname: An Exhilarating iGENEA DNA Test Experience

Embarking on an introspective journey with the iGENEA DNA test, I discovered fascinating insights about my surname, Corbitt, tracing it back to ancient Celtic origins, and connected with distant relatives around the globe.

Y. Corbitt

Corbitt: What does the surname Corbitt mean?

The surname Corbitt is believed to be of Irish origin, derived from the Irish Gaelic name “Ó Corbáin” meaning ‘descendant of Corbán’. The individual name "Corbán" is composed of elements meaning ‘raven’ and 'little' indicating the nickname 'little raven.' Ravens have traditionally been symbols of wisdom in Irish mythology, suggesting that the bearer of this name might have been seen as particularly astute or wise. Given the provenance and the time when surnames began to be used, it can be concluded that the name probably started as a nickname or an occupational name. Please note that surname meanings and origins can often be traced back through several different routes, and many can only be speculated upon due to the passage of time. Moreover, the meaning can vary across geographical regions and different spellings of the surname.

Corbitt: Where does the name Corbitt come from?

The last name Corbitt is of English and Scottish origin, derived from the Old Norse personal name "Kori" combined with "biotr," which means "hermitage" or "dwelling." It is most likely a locational surname referring to individuals who dwelled by a hermit's cell or a remote dwelling. This surname dates back to medieval times and there are early recordings of it in old ecclesiastical records.

Today, the Corbitt surname might be most common in the United States, due to historical migration patterns from England and Scotland, spread across multiple states. The 1920 United States Federal Census recorded the highest populations of Corbitt families in Georgia and North Carolina. In the United Kingdom, the surname remains relatively rare, but is found sporadically across the country. It's also possible to find Corbitt surnames among individuals in Canada, Australia, and New Zealand due to historical emigration patterns from the UK. However, the distribution of this surname can vary greatly, and its current prevalence in different regions might be influenced by a number of factors, including migration and intermarriage.

Variations of the surname Corbitt

The surname Corbitt can be traced back to origins in Scotland and Ireland. There are many spelling variations of the name, some of which include: Corbett, Corbet, Corbit, Corbitt, Corbetts, Corbert, Corbette, and Corbitts. The user of different spellings often occurred due to regional dialects and phonetic spelling in historical documents by clerks and church officials.

In Scotland, members of the Corbitt family were prominent in Roxburghshire and Shropshire, with a few crossing the border into England. The English version of the name was popularly used in Shropshire and Herefordshire.

In Ireland, it's typically found in the form of MacCorbet or MacCorbett showing a Gaelic influence, indicating "son of Corbett." Different forms of the name found in Ireland can include Corbit and Corbitt.

Surnames related to Corbitt can also include O'Corbett or Kerbet, a version found primarily in France. Some related surnames due to marriages could also include Talbot, DeCorbet, or Styche. These surnames having potential ties to the Corbett family.

The name Corbitt and its variants are scattered across the world due to the emigration of European peoples, with a significant number of Corbitts found in the United States today.

Famous people with the name Corbitt

• Chris Corbitt: A well-known American river runner and white-water rafting guide. He set an unofficial world record by rafting down a 186-foot waterfall in Washington.
• Nathaniel Corbitt: A professional basketball player who played in the United Basketball League (UBL).
• Tessie Mobley-Corbitt: An African-American educator, community leader, and politician who served on the Jacksonville City Council, representing District 7.
• Alfred Corbitt: A Ivorian footballer who made his professional debut in the Russian Football National League in 2009 for FC Volga Nizhny Novgorod.
• Gary Corbitt: The son of Ted Corbitt, often called the father of long distance running in America. He himself is a long-distance runner and historian of the sport.
• Richard Corbitt: A British car and lorry manufacturer who founded the Corbitt Company in 1917.
• Christy Corbitt-Miller: A professional runner who made her mark in marathons and long-distance running races.
• Bob Corbitt: An English model builder who is known for his work on popular TV series like "Thunderbirds" and "Captain Scarlet & the Mysterons".
• Cecil Corbitt: A former defensive back in the National Football League.
• Troy Corbitt: An American artist and illustrator known for his fantasy and science fiction themes.

Other surnames

CorbitCorbitte