Contents [hide]

Hobbs History Etymology Early Origins Early History Spelling Variations Early Notables World Ranking

United States Canada Australia New Zealand West Indies

Contemporary Notables Historic Events Related Stories Suggested Reading Citations

Hobbs History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
England

Etymology of Hobbs

What does the name Hobbs mean?

The Hobbs family name is linked to the ancient Anglo-Saxon culture of Britain. Their name comes from the son of Robert. 1 2

"Hob, patronymic Hobbs and Hobson. Naturally these surnames have left many descendants. Owing to its popularity Hob became the everyday term for a country clown." 3

Early Origins of the Hobbs family

The surname Hobbs was first found in Shropshire where the name first entry was as a forename as in Hobbe Litel, who was listed in the Pipe Rolls of 1176. A few years later, Hobb(e) (with no forename) was listed in the Curia Regis Rolls for Northumberland in 1198, the Pipe Rolls for Yorkshire and the Curia Regis Rolls for Worcester in 1205. These entries may be of the same person, but that is doubtful. Moving on, Osbert, Ralph Hobbe was found in the Pipe Rolls for Rutland in 1204, and again in the Pipe Rolls for Warwickshire in 1230. Isabella Hobbes was in the Subsidy Rolls for Worcester in 1327. 4

The Hundredorum Rolls of 1273 included: Agnes Hobbis, Huntingdonshire; and John Hobbe, Oxfordshire. 3

In Somerset, John Hobbes and William Hobbeson, were both listed 1 Edward III (during the first year of King Edward III's reign). 5

Later, the Yorkshire Poll Tax Rolls of 1379 listed: Willelmus Hobbes; Petrus Hobbeson; Willelmus Hobbeson; and Robertus Hobson. 3

Early History of the Hobbs family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Hobbs research. Another 85 words (6 lines of text) covering the years 1198, 1529, 1532, 1538, 1569, 1588 and 1679 are included under the topic Early Hobbs History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Hobbs Spelling Variations

Until the dictionary, an invention of only the last few hundred years, the English language lacked any comprehensive system of spelling rules. Consequently, spelling variations in names are frequently found in early Anglo-Saxon and later Anglo-Norman documents. One person's name was often spelled several different ways over a lifetime. The recorded variations of Hobbs include Hobbs, Hobs, Hobbes, Hobis, Hopp, Hoppe, Hopps and many more.

Early Notables of the Hobbs family

Distinguished members of the family include

Thomas Hobbs (also spelled Hobbes) (1588-1679), English philosopher, pioneer of modern political science and at one time a mathematics tutor to Charles II. He was the second son of Thomas Hobbes, vica...

Hobbs World Ranking

In the United States, the name Hobbs is the 638^th most popular surname with an estimated 47,253 people with that name. 6 However, in Newfoundland, Canada, the name Hobbs is ranked the 204^th most popular surname with an estimated 205 people with that name. 7 And in Australia, the name Hobbs is the 456^th popular surname with an estimated 8,324 people with that name. 8 New Zealand ranks Hobbs as 571^st with 1,244 people. 9 The United Kingdom ranks Hobbs as 424^th with 15,291 people. 10

Hobbs migration to the United States +

Thousands of English families boarded ships sailing to the New World in the hope of escaping the unrest found in England at this time. Although the search for opportunity and freedom from persecution abroad took the lives of many because of the cramped conditions and unsanitary nature of the vessels, the opportunity perceived in the growing colonies of North America beckoned. Many of the settlers who survived the journey went on to make important contributions to the transplanted cultures of their adopted countries. The Hobbs were among these contributors, for they have been located in early North American records:

Hobbs Settlers in United States in the 17th Century

Thomas Hobbs, aged 22, who settled in Virginia in 1635 aboard the ship "Assurance"
Thomas Hobbs, who settled in Providence in 1635
Jone Hobbs, who landed in Virginia in 1643 11
George Hobbs, who arrived in Virginia in 1650 11
Isaac Hobbs, who arrived in Virginia in 1651 11
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Hobbs Settlers in United States in the 18th Century

Richard Hobbs, who arrived in Virginia in 1701 11
Steph Hobbs, who arrived in Virginia in 1705 11
Margaret Hobbs, who arrived in Virginia in 1715 11
Sarah Hobbs, who settled in New England in 1746
Benjamin Hobbs, who landed in America in 1764 11

Hobbs Settlers in United States in the 19th Century

James Hobbs, who landed in San Francisco, California in 1850 11
William Hobbs, who arrived in San Francisco, California in 1851 11
Samuel M Hobbs, who arrived in Allegany (Allegheny) County, Pennsylvania in 1852 11
Sarah Hobbs, aged 56, who landed in New York in 1862 11
Ms. J. Hobbs, (b. 1828), aged 68, Cornish merchant from Callington, Cornwall, UK travelling aboard the ship "Teutonic" arriving at Ellis Island, New York on 19th March 1896 en route to New York, USA 12

Hobbs migration to Canada +

Some of the first settlers of this family name were:

Hobbs Settlers in Canada in the 18th Century

Ann Hobbs, who arrived in Nova Scotia in 1750

Hobbs Settlers in Canada in the 19th Century

Mr. Patrick Hobbs, aged 5 who immigrated to Canada, arriving at the Grosse Isle Quarantine Station in Quebec aboard the ship "Rose" departing from the port of Liverpool, England but died on Grosse Isle In June 1847 13
Ms. Margaret Hobbs, aged 29, a Nurse at the Grosse Isle Quarantine Station in Quebec but died there on 15th August 1847 during the typhus epidemic 14

Hobbs migration to Australia +

Emigration to Australia followed the First Fleets of convicts, tradespeople and early settlers. Early immigrants include:

Hobbs Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century

Frederick Hobbs, a tailor, who arrived in New South Wales, Australia sometime between 1825 and 1832
Mr. James Hobbs, (b. 1808), aged 20, English bricklayer who was convicted in Gloucester, Gloucestershire, England for 7 years for stealing, transported aboard the "Countess of Harcourt" on 29th April 1828, arriving in New South Wales, Australia 15
Mr. Thomas Hobbs, (b. 1795), aged 35, English ploughman who was convicted in Berkshire, England for 7 years for stealing, transported aboard the "Clyde" on 20th August 1830, arriving in Tasmania (Van Diemen's Land), he died in 1851 16
Mr. Thomas Hobbs, (Holmes), British convict who was convicted in London, England for life, transported aboard the "England" on 6th June 1835, arriving in New South Wales, Australia 17
Mr. Isaac Hobbs, (b. 1820), aged 19, English convict who was convicted in Somerset, England for 10 years for stealing, transported aboard the "Canton" on 20th September 1839, arriving in Tasmania (Van Diemen's Land) 18
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Hobbs migration to New Zealand +

Emigration to New Zealand followed in the footsteps of the European explorers, such as Captain Cook (1769-70): first came sealers, whalers, missionaries, and traders. By 1838, the British New Zealand Company had begun buying land from the Maori tribes, and selling it to settlers, and, after the Treaty of Waitangi in 1840, many British families set out on the arduous six month journey from Britain to Aotearoa to start a new life. Early immigrants include:

Hobbs Settlers in New Zealand in the 19th Century

Charles Hobbs, who landed in Wellington, New Zealand in 1840
John Hobbs, who landed in Hokianga, New Zealand in 1840
George Hobbs, who landed in Wellington, New Zealand in 1842 aboard the ship Birman
Charles Hobbs, aged 30, a carpenter, who arrived in Wellington, New Zealand aboard the ship "Birman" in 1842
Sarah Hobbs, aged 31, who arrived in Wellington, New Zealand aboard the ship "Birman" in 1842
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Hobbs migration to West Indies +

The British first settled the British West Indies around 1604. They made many attempts but failed in some to establish settlements on the Islands including Saint Lucia and Grenada. By 1627 they had managed to establish settlements on St. Kitts (St. Christopher) and Barbados, but by 1641 the Spanish had moved in and destroyed some of these including those at Providence Island. The British continued to expand the settlements including setting the First Federation in the British West Indies by 1674; some of the islands include Barbados, Bermuda, Cayman Island, Turks and Caicos, Jamaica and Belize then known as British Honduras. By the 1960's many of the islands became independent after the West Indies Federation which existed from 1958 to 1962 failed due to internal political conflicts. After this a number of Eastern Caribbean islands formed a free association. 19

Hobbs Settlers in West Indies in the 17th Century

Mr. Robert Hobbs, (b. 1609), aged 26, British settler travelling aboard the ship "Expedition" arriving in Barbados in 1636 20
Andrew Hobbs, who settled in Barbados in 1654

Contemporary Notables of the name Hobbs (post 1700) +

Gregory J. Hobbs Jr. (1944-2021), American jurist, Associate Justice of the Colorado Supreme Court (1996-2015)
Alfred Charles Hobbs (1812-1891), American locksmith, the first person to pick Bramah's lock and the Chubb detector lock at the Great Exhibition of 1851
Truman McGill Hobbs Sr. (1921-2015), American jurist, Senior Judge of the United States District Court for the Middle District of Alabama (1991-2015)
Frederick H. Hobbs (1934-2005), American politician, Member of the Pennsylvania Senate (1967-1976)
Cathy Hobbs, American television host, interior designer and lifestyle exper
Becky Hobbs (b. 1950), American country music singer, songwriter and pianist
Albert Hobbs (1822-1897), American lawyer and politician, New York State Assemblyman in 1856
Major-General Leland Stanford Hobbs (1892-1966), American Deputy Commanding General 1st Army (1951-1953) 21
Ellis Hobbs III (b. 1983), former American NFL football cornerback
Horton Holcombe Hobbs Jr. (1914-1994), American taxonomist and carcinologist
... (Another 60 notables are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Historic Events for the Hobbs family +

Arrow Air Flight 1285

Mr. Kevin S Hobbs (1965-1985), American Private 1st Class from Flagstaff, Arizona, USA who died in the Arrow Air Flight 1285 crash 22
Mr. Donald Ernest Hobbs (1960-1985), American Specialist 4th Class from Palm Harbour, Florida, USA who died in the Arrow Air Flight 1285 crash 22

Empress of Ireland

Miss Louisa Hobbs (1890-1914), Canadian Third Class Passenger from Brantford, Ontario, Canada who was traveling aboard the Empress of Ireland and died in the sinking 23
Mrs. Mary Hobbs (1851-1914), née Evans Canadian Third Class Passenger from Brantford, Ontario, Canada who was traveling aboard the Empress of Ireland and died in the sinking 23

HMAS Sydney II

Mr. George James Hobbs (1919-1941), Australian Able Seaman from Noble Park, Victoria, Australia, who sailed into battle aboard HMAS Sydney II and died in the sinking 24

HMS Hood

Mr. Robert Hobbs (b. 1919), English Engine Room Artificer 4th Class serving for the Royal Navy from Guildford, Surrey, England, who sailed into battle and died in the HMS Hood sinking 25
Mr. Frederick J Hobbs (b. 1895), English Chief Stoker serving for the Royal Navy from Mitcham, Surrey, England, who sailed into battle and died in the HMS Hood sinking 25

HMS Prince of Wales

Mr. Frederick D Hobbs, British Able Seaman, who sailed into battle on the HMS Prince of Wales (1941) and survived the sinking 26

HMS Repulse

Mr. Leslie H Hobbs, British Chief Engine Room Artificer, who sailed into battle on the HMS Repulse (1941) and survived the sinking 27
Mr. Thomas E Hobbs, British Petty Officer Cook, who sailed into battle on the HMS Repulse (1941) and survived the sinking 27

HMS Royal Oak

Frederick J.C. Hobbs, British Chief Stoker with the Royal Navy aboard the HMS Royal Oak (1939) when she was torpedoed by U-47 and sunk; he survived the sinking 28

USS Indianapolis

Melvin Dow Hobbs, American crew member on board the ship "USS Indianapolis" when she was on a top secret trip for the first nuclear weapon, she was sunk by Japanese Navy on 30th July 1945, he was one of the many who were killed in the sinking due to exposure, dehydration, saltwater poisoning and shark attacks 29

Citations +

Arthur, William , An Etymological Dictionary of Family and Christian Names. London: 1857. Print
Harrison, Henry, Surnames of the United Kingdom: A Concise Etymological Dictionary Baltimore: Geneological Publishing Company, 2013. Print
Bardsley, C.W, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames: With Special American Instances. Wiltshire: Heraldry Today, 1901. Print. (ISBN 0-900455-44-6)
Reaney, P.H and R.M. Wilson, A Dictionary of English Surnames. London: Routledge, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-415-05737-X)
Dickinson, F.H., Kirby's Quest for Somerset of 16th of Edward the 3rd London: Harrison and Sons, Printers in Ordinary to Her Majesty, St, Martin's Lane, 1889. Print.
"What are the 5,000 Most Common Last Names in the U.S.?". NameCensus.com, https://namecensus.com/last-names/
The order of Common Surnames in 1955 in Newfoundland retrieved on 20th October 2021 (retrieved from Family Names of the Island of Newfoundland by E.R. Seary corrected edition ISBN 0-7735-1782-0)
"Most Common Last Names in Australia." Forebears, https://forebears.io/australia/surnames
"Most Common Last Names in New Zealand." Forebears, https://forebears.io/new-zealand/surnames
"UK surname ranking." UK Surname map, https://www.surnamemap.eu/unitedkingdom/surnames_ranking.php?p=10
Filby, P. William, Meyer, Mary K., Passenger and immigration lists index : a guide to published arrival records of about 500,000 passengers who came to the United States and Canada in the seventeenth, eighteenth, and nineteenth centuries. 1982-1985 Cumulated Supplements in Four Volumes Detroit, Mich. : Gale Research Co., 1985, Print (ISBN 0-8103-1795-8)
Cornwall Online Parish Clerks. (Retrieved 3rd May 2018). Retrieved from http://www.opc-cornwall.org/Resc/pdfs/emigration_ellis_island_1892_on.pdf
Charbonneau, André, and Doris Drolet-Dubé. A Register of Deceased Persons at Sea and on Grosse Île in 1847. The Minister of Canadian Heritage, 1997. ISBN: 0-660-198/1-1997E (p. 34)
Charbonneau, André, and Doris Drolet-Dubé. A Register of Deceased Persons at Sea and on Grosse Île in 1847. The Minister of Canadian Heritage, 1997. ISBN: 0-660-198/1-1997E (p. 61)
Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 19th April 2021). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/countess-of-harcourt
Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 19th February 2021). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/clyde
Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 28th April 2022). https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/england
Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 17th December 2020). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/canton
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/British_West_Indies
Pilgrim Ship Lists Early 1600's retrieved 29th September 2021. Retrieved from https://www.packrat-pro.com/ships/shiplist.htm
Generals of World War II. (Retrieved 2012, March 30) Leland Hobbs. Retrieved from http://generals.dk/general/Hobbs/Leland_Stanford/USA.html
American War Memorials - Flight 1285. (Retrieved 2016, August 24) . Retrieved from http://www.uswarmemorials.org/html/monument_details.php?SiteID=317&MemID=550
Commemoration Empress of Ireland 2014. (Retrieved 2014, June 17) . Retrieved from http://www.empress2014.ca/seclangen/listepsc1.html
HMAS Sydney II, Finding Sydney Foundation - Roll of Honour. (Retrieved 2014, April 24) . Retrieved from http://www.findingsydney.com/roll.asp
H.M.S. Hood Association-Battle Cruiser Hood: Crew Information - H.M.S. Hood Rolls of Honour, Men Lost in the Sinking of H.M.S. Hood, 24th May 1941. (Retrieved 2016, July 15) . Retrieved from http://www.hmshood.com/crew/memorial/roh_24may41.htm
HMS Prince of Wales Crew members. (Retrieved 2014, April 9) . Retrieved from http://www.forcez-survivors.org.uk/biographies/listprincecrew.html
HMS Repulse Crew members. (Retrieved 2014, April 9) . Retrieved from http://www.forcez-survivors.org.uk/biographies/listrepulsecrew.html
Ships hit by U-boats crew list HMS Royal Oak (08) - (Retrieved 2018 February, 9th) - retrieved from https://uboat.net/allies/merchants/crews/ship68.html
Final Crew List, retrieved 2021, October 30th Retrieved from https://www.ussindianapolis.com/final-crew