Robishaw last name popularity, history, and meaning

Find out how popular the last name Robishaw is in the United States and learn more about the meaning, history, and race and ethnic origin of people in America who are named Robishaw.

Meaning of Robishaw

A French surname referring to someone who lived near a brushwood or shrubs.

Robishaw, like all of the last names we have data for, is identified by the U.S. Census Bureau as a surname which has more than 100 occurrences in the United States in the Decennial Census survey. The most recent statistics we have for the Robishaw surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Robishaw in America

Robishaw is the 56444th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Robishaw surname appeared 362 times in the 2010 census and if you were to sample 100,000 people in the United States, approximately 0 people would have the surname Robishaw.

We can also compare 2010 data for Robishaw to data from the previous census in 2000. The table below contains all of the statistics for both years in a side-by-side comparison.

2010 2000 Change (%)
Rank 56444 53659 5.06%
Count 362 361 0.28%
Proportion per 100k 0.12 0.13 -8.00%

The history of the last name Robishaw

The surname Robishaw has its origins in France, with the earliest known records dating back to the 16th century. It is believed to have originated in the northern regions of France, particularly in the areas around the city of Lille. The name is thought to be derived from the Old French word "robis," which means a long, loose garment or a robe. Over time, the name may have evolved to refer to individuals who were involved in the production or trade of such garments.

One of the earliest documented references to the name Robishaw can be found in the parish records of Saint-Maurice de Lille, where a certain Jean Robishaw was recorded as a resident in the year 1587. This provides evidence of the name's existence and usage during that period in the region of northern France.

As the name spread and evolved, different spellings and variations emerged, such as Robichaux, Robichaud, and Robicheaux. These variations were likely influenced by regional dialects and the preferences of record keepers.

The Robishaw name also found its way into historical records and manuscripts in various parts of Europe. In the early 17th century, a merchant named Pierre Robishaw was mentioned in a trade document from the city of Antwerp, indicating the family's involvement in commerce.

One notable figure with the surname Robishaw was Jacques Robishaw, a French soldier who fought in the Napoleonic Wars. Born in 1785, he served under Napoleon's command and participated in several major battles, including the Battle of Waterloo in 1815.

Another individual of historical significance was Marie Robishaw, a French nun and educator who lived in the 18th century. Born in 1732, she established a school for underprivileged children in the city of Rouen and dedicated her life to teaching and charitable work.

In the late 19th century, a Robishaw family immigrated to Canada from France, settling in the province of Quebec. One of their descendants, Louis Robishaw (1876-1948), became a prominent businessman and philanthropist in the city of Montreal.

In the realm of literature, the name Robishaw found mention in the works of French writer Émile Zola. His novel "Germinal," published in 1885, featured a minor character named Robishaw, a miner from the northern regions of France.

Another notable figure was Marie-Antoinette Robishaw (1902-1987), a French artist and painter who gained recognition for her landscapes and portraits. Her works were exhibited in various galleries across France and Europe during her lifetime.

The surname Robishaw, with its rich history and origins in northern France, has left its mark on various aspects of society, from military service and commerce to education, literature, and the arts. While the name's prevalence may have fluctuated over time, its legacy remains woven into the tapestry of cultural heritage.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Robishaw

We also have some data on the ancestry of people with the surname Robishaw.

The below race categories are the modified race categories used in the Census Bureau's population estimates program. All people were categorized into six mutually exclusive racial and Hispanic origin groups:

  1. White only
  2. Black only
  3. American Indian and Alaskan Native only
  4. Asian and Pacific Islander only
  5. Hispanic
  6. Two or More Races

For the most recent 2010 census data, the race/ethnic origin breakdown for Robishaw was:

Race/Ethnicity Percentage Total Occurrences
Non-Hispanic White Only 96.41% 349
Non-Hispanic Black Only 0.00% 0
Non-Hispanic Asian and Pacific Islander Only (S)% (S)
Non-Hispanic American Indian and Alaskan Native 0.00% 0
Non-Hispanic of Two or More Races (S)% (S)
Hispanic Origin 2.76% 10

Note: Any fields showing (S) means the data was suppressed for privacy so that the data does not in any way identify any specific individuals.

Since we have data from the previous census in 2000, we can also compare the values to see how the popularity of Robishaw has changed in the 10 years between the two census surveys.

2010 2000 Change (%)
White 96.41% 97.78% -1.41%
Black 0.00% (S)% (S)%
Asian and Pacific Islander (S)% 0.00% (S)%
American Indian and Alaskan Native 0.00% (S)% (S)%
Two or More Races (S)% 0.00% (S)%
Hispanic 2.76% 1.39% 66.02%

Data source

The last name data and ethnic breakdown of last names is sourced directly from the Decennial Census survey, conducted every 10 years by the United States Census Bureau.

The history and meaning of the name Robishaw was researched and written by our team of onomatology and genealogy experts.

If you have a correction or suggestion to improve the history of Robishaw, please contact us.

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If you found the data or information on this page useful in your research, please use the tool below to properly cite or reference Name Census as the source. We appreciate your support!

"Robishaw last name popularity, history, and meaning". NameCensus.com. Accessed on June 9, 2025. http://namecensus.com/last-names/robishaw-surname-popularity/.

"Robishaw last name popularity, history, and meaning". NameCensus.com, http://namecensus.com/last-names/robishaw-surname-popularity/. Accessed 9 June, 2025

Robishaw last name popularity, history, and meaning. NameCensus.com. Retrieved from http://namecensus.com/last-names/robishaw-surname-popularity/.

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