Corbett
An Irish surname derived from the French corbeau, meaning "raven," likely referring to a person with dark hair.
According to the 2010 US Census Bureau surname tables, roughly 30,505 Americans carry the last name Corbett. That puts it at #1,346 in the national surname ranking, appearing at a frequency of 8.90 per 100,000 people (about 1 in 11,236 residents).
This page is the full Name Census profile for the Corbett 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
31K
1 in 11,236
Census rank
#1,346
2010 decennial data
Per 100,000
8.9
Frequency rate
Recorded bearers
26K
uncommon in the US
Popularity narrative
The Census Bureau recorded 26,246 bearers of the surname Corbett in its 2010 decennial surname file. At a rate of 8.90 per 100,000 residents, it holds the 1346th position in the national surname ranking.
Among Census respondents with the surname Corbett, the largest self-reported group is White at 80.5%. The next largest groups are Black (14.8%) and Hispanic (2.2%).
Origin
Meaning and origin of Corbett
The surname Corbett is of Norman-French origin, derived from the Old French word "corbeau" meaning "raven" or "crow". It is believed to have originated as a nickname or descriptive name for someone with dark hair or complexion, likening them to the appearance of a raven.
The name first appeared in England after the Norman Conquest of 1066, when many Norman families settled in various parts of the country. One of the earliest recorded instances of the name is found in the Domesday Book of 1086, where it is listed as "Corbett" in Shropshire.
In the 12th century, a notable figure named Robert Corbett (c. 1150-1220) was a wealthy landowner and Lord of Caus Castle in Shropshire. He played a significant role in the Baron's War against King John and was later appointed as a Justice of the Court of King's Bench.
Another prominent individual bearing the name was Roger Corbett (c. 1250-1321), who served as a member of Parliament for Shropshire in the reign of King Edward I. He was also a distinguished military commander and participated in the Scottish Wars of Independence.
During the 13th century, the Corbett family established themselves as landed gentry in Shropshire, with their ancestral seat at Caus Castle. The name is also associated with various place names in the region, such as Corbett's Dingle and Corbett's Wood.
In the 16th century, Sir Andrew Corbett (c. 1520-1578) was a prominent figure in Worcestershire. He served as High Sheriff of Worcestershire and was knighted by Queen Elizabeth I in 1568 for his services to the Crown.
Later, in the 17th century, John Corbett (1599-1662) was an English Puritan clergyman and one of the Westminster Divines. He played a significant role in the English Civil War and was a staunch supporter of Oliver Cromwell.
Throughout history, the surname Corbett has been associated with various professions and achievements, including politics, military service, law, and religion. While its roots can be traced back to Norman-French origins, the name has become well-established in England and other parts of the world over the centuries.
Demographics
Ancestry and ethnicity for Corbett
Among Census respondents with the surname Corbett, the largest self-reported group is White at 80.5%. The next largest groups are Black (14.8%) and Hispanic (2.2%).
The bar chart below shows how Corbett 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 Corbett surname at the time of the 2010 Census, not any inherent property of the name itself.
- White80.5%
- Black or African American14.8%
- Hispanic or Latino2.2%
- Two or more races1.6%
- Asian and Pacific Islander0.5%
- American Indian and Alaska Native0.5%
Year on year
2010 vs 2010 Census
How has the Corbett 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 | #1,346 | #1,346 | 0.0% |
| Count | 26,246 | 26,246 | 0.0% |
| Per 100K | 8.90 | 8.90 | 0.0% |
Between the 2010 and 2010 Census, the number of Corbett bearers went from 26,246 to 26,246 (+0.0% change). The surname held its position in the national ranking, going from #1,346 to #1,346.
Notable bearers
Famous people with the surname Corbett
FAQ
Corbett surname: questions and answers
How common is the last name Corbett?
The surname Corbett holds position #1,346 in the US Census Bureau's surname ranking, with an estimated 30,505 living bearers. It occurs at a rate of 8.90 per 100,000 Americans.
What is the ethnic background of the Corbett surname?
Among Census respondents with the surname Corbett, the largest self-reported group is White at 80.5%. The next largest groups are Black (14.8%) and Hispanic (2.2%). 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.