Dobkins History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
England
Ireland

Etymology of Dobkins

What does the name Dobkins mean?

The Dobkins surname finds its earliest origins with the ancient Anglo-Saxon culture of Britain. Their name is derived from Robert. Dobb was a diminutive of the name Robert in the Middle Ages; is has changed since then to the modern form Bob. 1

Early Origins of the Dobkins family

The surname Dobkins was first found in Lincolnshire where Dobbe filius Iuonis was listed there in the Assize Rolls of 1202. Dobbe le Deneby was listed in the Assize Rolls of Yorkshire in 1219 and later, Reginald, William Dobbe was listed in the Subsidy Rolls of Worcestershire in 1275. 2

The Hundredorum Rolls of 1273 listed William Dobbe in Norfolka and Robert Dobes in Oxfordshire. The Yorkshire Poll Tax Rolls of 1379 lists Johanna Dobbewf (the wife of Dob), Isabella Dobson and more. 3

In the early years, the name was interchangeable with the name Robert and was very common in Yorkshire, Lancashire, Cheshire and Staffordshire. By example, "Dobbe de Witemore (1307 - Assize Rolls for Staffordshire) is identical with Robert de Whitemore (1318.) Richardus filius Dobbe was the same man as Richard Dobbe (1297.)" 2

Early History of the Dobkins family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Dobkins research. Another 70 words (5 lines of text) covering the years 1202, 1450, 1689, 1694, 1754 and 1765 are included under the topic Early Dobkins History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Dobkins Spelling Variations

It is only in the last few hundred years that the English language has been standardized. For that reason, early Anglo-Saxon surnames like Dobkins are characterized by many spelling variations. As the English language changed and incorporated elements of other European languages, even literate people changed the spelling of their names. The variations of the name Dobkins include: Dobbs, Dobb, Dobbe, Dobbes and others.

Early Notables of the Dobkins family

More information is included under the topic Early Dobkins Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Dobkins family to Ireland

Some of the Dobkins family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt.
Another 96 words (7 lines of text) about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Dobkins family

Many English families tired of political and religious strife left Britain for the new colonies in North America. Although the trip itself offered no relief - conditions on the ships were extremely cramped, and many travelers arrived diseased, starving, and destitute - these immigrants believed the opportunities that awaited them were worth the risks. Once in the colonies, many of the families did indeed prosper and, in turn, made significant contributions to the culture and economies of the growing colonies. An inquiry into the early roots of North American families has revealed a number of immigrants bearing the name Dobkins or a variant listed above: John and Samuel Dobbs who settled in Pennsylvania about the year 1750; James Dobbs settled in Maryland in 1741; William Dobbs settled in New York in 1822.

The Dobkins 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: Proximi summa
Motto Translation: Nearest summit.

Sources +

Hanks, Patricia and Flavia Hodges, A Dictionary of Surnames. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1988. Print. (ISBN 0-19-211592-8)
Reaney, P.H and R.M. Wilson, A Dictionary of English Surnames. London: Routledge, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-415-05737-X)
Bardsley, C.W, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames: With Special American Instances. Wiltshire: Heraldry Today, 1901. Print. (ISBN 0-900455-44-6)