Corbet
An English surname derived from the Norman French "corbet", meaning a raven or small crow.
According to the 2010 US Census Bureau surname tables, roughly 720 Americans carry the last name Corbet. That puts it at #35,622 in the national surname ranking, appearing at a frequency of 0.21 per 100,000 people (about 1 in 476,048 residents).
This page is the full Name Census profile for the Corbet surname. You will find the Census Bureau frequency data, an ancestry and ethnicity breakdown based on self-reported demographics, the name's meaning and origin where available, and answers to the most common questions people ask about this surname.
Bearers in the US
720
1 in 476,048
Census rank
#35,622
2010 decennial data
Per 100,000
0.2
Frequency rate
Recorded bearers
631
very rare in the US
Popularity narrative
The Census Bureau recorded 631 bearers of the surname Corbet in its 2010 decennial surname file. At a rate of 0.21 per 100,000 residents, it holds the 35622nd position in the national surname ranking.
Among Census respondents with the surname Corbet, the largest self-reported group is White at 87.3%. The next largest groups are Hispanic (5.9%) and Black (4.3%).
Origin
Meaning and origin of Corbet
The surname Corbet originates from the northern regions of France and is believed to have derived from the Old French word 'corbeau', meaning 'raven'. It is thought that the name was initially given as a nickname to someone with dark hair or complexion resembling a raven.
The earliest recorded instances of the Corbet surname can be traced back to the 11th century in Normandy, France. It is believed that the name was introduced to England during the Norman Conquest in 1066, as many Norman families accompanied William the Conqueror and settled in various parts of the country.
In the Domesday Book of 1086, a record of landowners in England commissioned by William the Conqueror, there are several entries for individuals with the surname Corbet or variations such as Corbett, Corbyn, and Corbin. These entries indicate that the name was well-established in England by the late 11th century.
One of the earliest and most prominent figures bearing the Corbet name was Roger Corbet, a Norman knight who accompanied William the Conqueror to England. Roger Corbet was granted lands in Shropshire and became the founder of the influential Corbet family, which played a significant role in the history of the Welsh Marches.
Another notable individual with the surname Corbet was Sir Robert Corbet (1548-1583), a Member of Parliament and Sheriff of Shropshire during the reign of Queen Elizabeth I. Sir Robert Corbet was known for his involvement in the suppression of Catholic uprisings in the region.
In the 13th century, a branch of the Corbet family settled in Caux, Normandy, where they acquired the estate of Corbet-Essert. This estate's name is thought to be the origin of the alternative spelling 'Corbett', which became more prevalent in some branches of the family.
During the 14th century, the Corbet surname was also found in Scotland, where it is believed to have been introduced by Norman settlers. One notable Scottish Corbet was Sir John Corbet (c. 1330-1389), a military commander who served under King David II of Scotland.
In the 15th century, a member of the Corbet family, Sir Roger Corbet (c. 1420-1493), was appointed as the Comptroller of the Royal Household under King Henry VII of England. This appointment highlights the family's continued influence and status during the Tudor period.
Demographics
Ancestry and ethnicity for Corbet
Among Census respondents with the surname Corbet, the largest self-reported group is White at 87.3%. The next largest groups are Hispanic (5.9%) and Black (4.3%).
The bar chart below shows how Corbet bearers described their own race and ethnicity on the 2010 Census form. The Census Bureau groups responses into six broad categories: White, Black or African American, Hispanic or Latino, Asian and Pacific Islander, American Indian and Alaska Native, and Two or More Races. When a category has too few respondents for a given surname, the Bureau suppresses the figure to protect individual privacy, which is why some names show fewer than six slices.
Keep in mind that these are self-reported numbers. A person's surname does not determine their race or ethnicity, and the distribution you see here reflects the specific population who happened to carry the Corbet surname at the time of the 2010 Census, not any inherent property of the name itself.
- White87.3%
- Hispanic or Latino5.9%
- Black or African American4.3%
- Two or more races1.6%
- Asian and Pacific Islander0.9%
Year on year
2010 vs 2010 Census
How has the Corbet surname changed between Census years? The chart shows bearer count side by side, and the table compares rank, count, and frequency.
Census year comparison
| Metric | 2010 | 2010 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rank | #35,622 | #35,622 | 0.0% |
| Count | 631 | 631 | 0.0% |
| Per 100K | 0.21 | 0.21 | 0.0% |
Between the 2010 and 2010 Census, the number of Corbet bearers went from 631 to 631 (+0.0% change). The surname held its position in the national ranking, going from #35,622 to #35,622.
Notable bearers
Famous people with the surname Corbet
FAQ
Corbet surname: questions and answers
How common is the last name Corbet?
The surname Corbet holds position #35,622 in the US Census Bureau's surname ranking, with an estimated 720 living bearers. It occurs at a rate of 0.21 per 100,000 Americans.
What is the ethnic background of the Corbet surname?
Among Census respondents with the surname Corbet, the largest self-reported group is White at 87.3%. The next largest groups are Hispanic (5.9%) and Black (4.3%). These figures come from the 2010 Census Bureau surname tables, based on how respondents described their own race and ethnicity.
Where does this surname data come from?
All surname statistics on Name Census are drawn from the US Census Bureau's decennial surname frequency tables. These tables list every surname that appeared 100 or more times in the 2010 Census, along with a frequency rate and self-reported demographic breakdown. You can read the full explanation on our methodology page.