The name Toby is an English diminutive form of the biblical Hebrew name Tobiah, meaning "God is good" or "the goodness of God." It originated in ancient Israel and is derived from the Hebrew words "tov," meaning good, and "Yah," a shortened form of the name of God.

The earliest recorded use of the name Toby can be found in the Apocryphal book of Tobit, which tells the story of a pious Israelite named Tobit who is blinded but regains his sight through the help of an angel named Raphael. The book is believed to have been written around the 3rd century BCE.

In the Middle Ages, the name Toby became popular in England, where it was often used as a nickname for Tobiah. One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Toby was in the 13th century, when a man named Toby of Coventry was mentioned in historical records.

Throughout history, several notable individuals have borne the name Toby. One of the most famous was Toby Philpot (1616-1676), an English clergyman and religious writer who was a vocal opponent of the Puritans during the English Civil War.

Another notable Toby was Toby Smollett (1721-1771), a Scottish novelist and satirist who is best known for his picaresque novels, including "The Adventures of Roderick Random" and "The Expedition of Humphry Clinker."

In the 19th century, Toby Jug became a popular name for a type of ceramic drinking vessel modeled after a jovial, pot-bellied man. The origins of the Toby Jug are unclear, but it is believed to have been inspired by the character of Toby Philpot.

Other famous individuals named Toby include Toby Jones (born 1966), an English actor known for his roles in films like "Truman Capote" and "The Hunger Games," and Toby Keith (born 1961), an American country music singer and songwriter.

One of the earliest recorded examples of the name Toby in literature can be found in the works of William Shakespeare, who used the name in several of his plays, including "The Merry Wives of Windsor" and "Twelfth Night."

Overall, the name Toby has a rich history that spans centuries and encompasses a diverse range of individuals, from religious figures to writers, actors, and musicians.