Cobb History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
England
Ireland
Scotland

Etymology of Cobb

What does the name Cobb mean?

The origins of the Anglo-Saxon name Cobb come from its first bearer, who was a large man. This surname originally derived from the Old English word Cobba recorded in 1201 which described a man of particularly large or impressive features and had great strength. 1

However, the name could have also have originated from a multitude of other origins as the word "cobb" has many different meanings as a noun and as a verb. 2

Early Origins of the Cobb family

The surname Cobb was first found in Suffolk where Leuricus Cobbe, a Saxon was listed in the Domesday Book of 1086. 3 2 1

Later, Walter Cobbe was listed in the Feet of Fines for Essex for 1234-1235 and John Cobbe was found in the Subsidy Rolls for Somerset in 1327. 1

The family quickly scattered throughout ancient England. The Hundredorum Rolls of 1273 give evidence: Richard Cobbe in Cambridgeshire; and Robert Cobbe in Oxfordshire. The Yorkshire Poll Tax Rolls of 1379 list Thomas Cobson as holding lands there at that time. 4

Further to the north in Scotland, the name was first listed in 1479 when John Cob in Ardoch appears as witness. A few years later, in 1508 there is mention of land of Malcolm Cob in Brechin. John Cobb was citiner of Brechin in 1629 and thirteen more of the name appear in the Brechin Commissariot Record. Some individuals of this name gave name to Cobbisland in Brechin, in record in 1528, and a family of the name contributed to the expense of building the bellhouse at Novar in 1773. 5

The famous Cobbe family in Ireland were originally from Steventon, Swarraton, Hampshire with Charles Cobbe (1686-1795), Archbishop of Dublin (1743-1765), and Primate of Ireland being the progenitor. In 2006, the Cobbe portrait held by Charles Cobbe was identified as an early Jacobean panel painting of a gentleman which has been argued to be a life portrait of William Shakespeare. This painting was presented in March 2009, but is still surrounded by controversy.

Early History of the Cobb family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Cobb research. Another 120 words (9 lines of text) covering the years 1234, 1235, 1478, 1500, 1595, 1655, 1675, 1683, 1687, 1713, 1717, 1718, 1720 and 1765 are included under the topic Early Cobb History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Cobb Spelling Variations

The first dictionaries that appeared in the last few hundred years did much to standardize the English language. Before that time, spelling variations in names were a common occurrence. The language was changing, incorporating pieces of other languages, and the spelling of names changed with it. Cobb has been spelled many different ways, including Cobb, Cobbe and others.

Early Notables of the Cobb family

Notables of the family at this time include

Ambrose Cobbs (1595-c.1655), an early Virginia colonist and planter who established the long lasting social and political Cobb dynasty in the Southern States; and Samuel Cobb (1675-1713), an English p...
Charles Cobbe (1687-1765), was Archbishop of Dublin, born and educated at Winchester. "In August 1717 he went to Ireland as chaplain to Charles, duke of Bolton, lord-lieutenant. His first ecclesiastic...

Cobb Ranking

In the United States, the name Cobb is the 400^th most popular surname with an estimated 69,636 people with that name. 6

Migration of the Cobb family to Ireland

Some of the Cobb family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt.
Another 31 words (2 lines of text) about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Cobb migration to the United States +

Thousands of English families in this era began to emigrate the New World in search of land and freedom from religious and political persecution. Although the passage was expensive and the ships were dark, crowded, and unsafe, those who made the voyage safely were rewarded with opportunities unavailable to them in their homeland. Research into passenger and immigration lists has revealed some of the very first Cobbs to arrive in North America:

Cobb Settlers in United States in the 17th Century

Joseph Cobb, aged 25, who arrived in Virginia in 1613 aboard the ship "Treasuror" 7
Mrs. Elizabeth Cobb, aged 25, who arrived in Virginia in 1623 aboard the ship "Bonnie Bess" 7
Henry Cobb, who arrived in Plymouth, Massachusetts in 1629 7
Henry Cobb, who landed in Barnstable, Massachusetts in 1644 7
Andrew Cobb, who landed in Virginia in 1649 7
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Cobb Settlers in United States in the 18th Century

Whitfeild Cobb, who arrived in Virginia in 1714 7
Winfield Cobb, who arrived in Virginia in 1714 7
Isabella Cobb, who arrived in New England in 1720 7
William Cobb, aged 31, who landed in Georgia in 1775 7
William Cobb, who landed in Mississippi in 1798 7
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Cobb Settlers in United States in the 19th Century

J Cobb, who landed in San Francisco, California in 1850 7
John Cobb, who landed in San Francisco, California in 1850 7
N Cobb, who landed in San Francisco, California in 1850 7
M S Cobb, who arrived in San Francisco, California in 1851 7
J G Cobb, who arrived in San Francisco, California in 1851 7
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Cobb migration to Australia +

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

Cobb Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century

Mr. Francis Cobb, British convict who was convicted in Canterbury, Kent, England for 7 years, transported aboard the "Calcutta" in February 1803, arriving in New South Wales, Australia, the settlement was listed as abandoned and most of the convicts transported to Tasmania on the "Queen" in 1804 8
James Cobb, English convict from Surrey, who was transported aboard the "Ann" on August 1809, settling in New South Wales, Australia 9
Mr. John Cobb, (William), English convict who was convicted in Nottingham, Nottinghamshire, England for 7 years, transported aboard the "Earl Grey" on 27th July 1838, arriving in New South Wales, Australia 10
George Cobb, who arrived in Adelaide, Australia aboard the ship "Bolton" in 1848 11
William Cobb, who arrived in Adelaide, Australia aboard the ship "Harpley" in 1848 12
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Cobb 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:

Cobb Settlers in New Zealand in the 19th Century

John Cobb, who arrived in Auckland, New Zealand aboard the ship "Black Eagle" in 1861 13
Mr. John Cobb, Scottish settler travelling from Glasgow aboard the ship "Black Eagle" arriving in Auckland, New Zealand on 19th November 1861 14
P. Cobb, who arrived in Wellington, New Zealand aboard the ship "William Fruing" in 1875
Arthur Cobb, who arrived in Wellington, New Zealand aboard the ship "Wairoa" in 1881
Robert Cobb, who arrived in Wellington, New Zealand aboard the ship "Montrose" in 1883

Cobb 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. 15

Cobb Settlers in West Indies in the 17th Century

Mr. Nicholas Cobb, (b. 1611), aged 24, British settler traveling aboard the ship "William and John" arriving in St Christopher (Saint Kitts) in 1635 16

Contemporary Notables of the name Cobb (post 1700) +

John Boswell Cobb Jr. (1925-2024), American theologian, philosopher and environmentalist, regarded as the preeminent scholar in the field of process philosophy and process theology
Kay Beevers Cobb (1942-2023), American politician and jurist, Justice of the Supreme Court of Mississippi
Denise LeClair Cobb, American former CNN and CNN Headline News anchor
Wilbur James Cobb (1929-2020), American jazz drummer who worked with Dinah Washington, Pearl Bailey, Clark Terry, Cannonball Adderley, Dizzy Gillespie, John Coltrane and many more
Reginald John "Reggie" Cobb (1968-2019), American football running back from Knoxville, Tennessee who played seven seasons in the National Football League
Jewel Plummer Cobb (1924-2017), American biologist, cancer researcher, and academic administrator, President of California State University, Fullerton (1981-1990)
Geraldyn M. Cobb (b. 1931), American aviator, member of the "Mercury 13," one of thirteen women who underwent many of the same physiological screening tests as the astronauts selected by NASA for Project Mercury
William Cobb (1917-1990), American designer and engineer of roller coasters
William T. Cobb (1857-1937), American politician, the 46th Governor of Maine
Julie Cobb (b. 1947), American actress, daughter of actor Lee J. Cobb
... (Another 28 notables are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Historic Events for the Cobb family +

HMS Hood

Mr. William H Cobb (b. 1922), English Ordinary Seaman serving for the Royal Navy from Birmingham, England, who sailed into battle and died in the HMS Hood sinking 17

HMS Prince of Wales

Mr. Sterling R Cobb, British Stoker, who sailed into battle on the HMS Prince of Wales (1941) and survived the sinking 18
Mr. Roy W Cobb, British Petty Officer Cook, who sailed into battle on the HMS Prince of Wales (1941) and survived the sinking 18

North Sea Flood

Arthur Frederick Cobb, British citizen, living in Fellixstowe, England,killed in the North Sea Flood, a major storm surge in 1953

USS Arizona

Mr. Ballard Burgher Cobb, American Seaman First Class from Texas, USA working aboard the ship "USS Arizona" when she sunk during the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor on 7th December 1941, he died in the sinking 19

USS Indianapolis

William Lester Cobb (1916-1945), 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 20

The Cobb Motto +

The motto was originally a war cry or slogan. Mottoes first began to be shown with arms in the 14th and 15th centuries, but were not in general use until the 17th century. Thus the oldest coats of arms generally do not include a motto. Mottoes seldom form part of the grant of arms: Under most heraldic authorities, a motto is an optional component of the coat of arms, and can be added to or changed at will; many families have chosen not to display a motto.

Motto: Virtutis stemmata
Motto Translation: Virtue is Valuable.

Sources +

Reaney, P.H and R.M. Wilson, A Dictionary of English Surnames. London: Routledge, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-415-05737-X)
Lower, Mark Anthony, Patronymica Britannica, A Dictionary of Family Names of the United Kingdom. London: John Russel Smith, 1860. Print.
Williams, Dr Ann. And G.H. Martin, Eds., Domesday Book A Complete Translation. London: Penguin, 1992. Print. (ISBN 0-141-00523-8)
Bardsley, C.W, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames: With Special American Instances. Wiltshire: Heraldry Today, 1901. Print. (ISBN 0-900455-44-6)
Black, George F., The Surnames of Scotland Their Origin, Meaning and History. New York: New York Public Library, 1946. Print. (ISBN 0-87104-172-3)
"What are the 5,000 Most Common Last Names in the U.S.?". NameCensus.com, https://namecensus.com/last-names/
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)
Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 25th November 2020). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/calcutta
State Library of Queensland. (Retrieved 2016, October 27) Ann voyage to New South Wales, Australia in 1809 with 200 passengers. Retrieved from http://www.convictrecords.com.au/ships/ann/1809
Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 17th August 2021). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/earl-grey
State Records of South Australia. (Retrieved 2010, November 5) BOLTON 1848. Retrieved from http://www.slsa.sa.gov.au/BSA/1848Bolton.htm
State Records of South Australia. (Retrieved 2010, November 5) The HARPLEY 1848 - PASSENGER LIST. Retrieved from http://www.slsa.sa.gov.au/BSA/1848HarpleyPassengerList.htm
New Zealand Yesteryears Passenger Lists 1800 to 1900 (Retrieved 26th March 2019). Retrieved from http://www.yesteryears.co.nz/shipping/passlist.html
New Zealand Yesteryears Passenger Lists 1800 to 1900 (Retrieved 17th October 2018). Retrieved from http://www.yesteryears.co.nz/shipping/passlist.html
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/British_West_Indies
Pilgrim Ship's of 1600's (Retrieved October 4th 2021 from https://www.packrat-pro.com/ships/shiplist.htm
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
Pearl Harbour: USS Arizona Casualties List Pearl Harbour December 7, 1941. (Retrieved 2018, July 31st). Retrieved from http://pearl-harbor.com/arizona/casualtylist.html
Final Crew List, retrieved 2021, October 30th Retrieved from https://www.ussindianapolis.com/final-crew