Last Names

Surnames / C

Corbin

What is the origin of the last name Corbin?

English originOccupational (a trade or role)Rank #1,307 in the US

Meaning and origin

The last name Corbin has its origins in both English and French. In English, it is derived from the occupational surname "corviser" or "corvesor," meaning a shoemaker or cordwainer. As for its French roots, it is derived from "corbin," which means crow or raven. The name could have been a nickname given to someone who had dark hair or exhibited traits associated with these birds. Over time, the name Corbin has evolved and spread to various English-speaking countries, with different variations and spellings.

The longer story

Derived from the Middle English word "corps," meaning "body," the name Corbin is believed to have originated as a nickname for someone with a robust or physically strong physique. The correlation between the name and physical strength suggests that it may have been used to describe a person of great stature or power.

As with many surnames, Corbin has evolved over time. Variations of this name include CORBINSON, CORBYN, and CORBON. These variations may have different origins or meanings, but they all stem from the same root word, "corps."

Geographically, the surname Corbin has been found in various regions around the world, including France, England, and the United States. In France, the name is most commonly associated with the Normandy region. French immigrants brought the surname to England during the Norman Conquest in the 11th century. Later, English settlers carried the name to America during the colonization period.

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.

Similar spellings

#1,307

Corbin was the 1,307th most common surname in the 2010 US Census, with 26,876 people, about 8.7 in every 100,000.

Who carries it

  • White (non-Hispanic)75.2%
  • Hispanic or Latino2.0%
  • Black (non-Hispanic)19.9%
  • Asian or Pacific Islander0.5%
  • Two or more races2.1%
  • American Indian or Alaska Native0.4%

Where it is found

Countries linked to Corbin.

Surnames like Corbin

Names it is linked with, then names with the same origin and a similar standing.

Check the sources

For a name you are serious about, compare the dictionaries: Reaney and Wilson, A Dictionary of English Surnames; Hanks, Dictionary of American Family Names.