Meaning and origin
The name's popularity spread beyond France, particularly due to its association with the influential political dynasty of the Colbert family in the 17th century.
The longer story
By examining various sources available on the internet, it is possible to uncover a number of interesting facts about this surname.
One of the most significant facts about the last name Colbert is its French origin.
The Colbert surname can be found predominantly in France, particularly in the region of Berry. It was in this area that the name first appeared in the 12th century. Over time, individuals bearing the Colbert surname migrated to other regions, including Ireland, England, and the United States.
Surname origins are rarely settled: one spelling can have several sources, and families often took a name for reasons nobody wrote down. Check it against the sources below before you rely on it.
#1,570
Colbert was the 1,570th most common surname in the 2010 US Census, with 22,940 people, about 7.4 in every 100,000.
Who carries it
Surnames like Colbert
Names it is linked with, then names with the same origin and a similar standing.
Check the sources
- Forebears: where Colbert is found around the world
- The Internet Surname Database: a second opinion on the origin
- US Census Bureau: the 2010 surname figures used here
For a name you are serious about, compare the dictionaries: Reaney and Wilson, A Dictionary of English Surnames; Hanks, Dictionary of American Family Names.