NameCensus.

UK surname

Corbin

A French habitational surname referring to a person from a place called Corbeil, derived from the Latin "corvus" meaning "raven".

In the 1881 census there were 503 people recorded with the Corbin surname, ranking it #6,747 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 1,317, ranked #4,560, up from #6,747 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to Ringwood, Poole St James and London parishes. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Poole and Monmouthshire.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Corbin is 1,337 in 2014. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 161.8%.

1881 census count

503

Ranked #6,747

Modern count

1,317

2016, ranked #4,560

Peak year

2014

1,337 bearers

Map years

9

1851 to 2016

Key insights

  • Corbin had 503 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #6,747 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 1,317 in 2016, ranked #4,560.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 796 in 1911.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Ageing Communities.

Corbin surname distribution map

The map shows where the Corbin surname is concentrated in each census or modern distribution year. Darker areas mean a stronger local concentration.

Distribution map

Corbin surname density by area, 1881 census.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Corbin over time

The table below tracks recorded surname counts and rank from the 19th-century census years through the modern adult-register period.

Year Period Count Rank
1851 historical 355 #6,654
1861 historical 233 #10,501
1881 historical 503 #6,747
1891 historical 539 #6,986
1901 historical 680 #6,417
1911 historical 796 #5,492
1997 modern 1,200 #4,707
1998 modern 1,244 #4,737
1999 modern 1,279 #4,662
2000 modern 1,238 #4,776
2001 modern 1,186 #4,848
2002 modern 1,221 #4,831
2003 modern 1,207 #4,784
2004 modern 1,235 #4,689
2005 modern 1,180 #4,829
2006 modern 1,209 #4,741
2007 modern 1,232 #4,717
2008 modern 1,229 #4,754
2009 modern 1,274 #4,700
2010 modern 1,318 #4,649
2011 modern 1,316 #4,587
2012 modern 1,310 #4,543
2013 modern 1,322 #4,585
2014 modern 1,337 #4,558
2015 modern 1,327 #4,554
2016 modern 1,317 #4,560

Geography

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Where Corbins are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around Ringwood, Poole St James, London parishes, Southampton St Mary and Canford Magna. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Poole and Monmouthshire. Treat these as concentration signals, not proof that every family line began there.

Some modern areas include a three-digit suffix, such as Leeds 110. The suffix is a small-area code, so it stays in the table while the prose uses the plain place name.

Top historical parishes

Rank Parish Area
1 Ringwood Hampshire
2 Poole St James Dorset
3 London parishes London 3
4 Southampton St Mary Hampshire
5 Canford Magna Dorset

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Poole 008 Poole
2 Monmouthshire 008 Monmouthshire
3 Poole 007 Poole
4 Poole 011 Poole
5 Poole 004 Poole

Forenames

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First names often paired with Corbin

These lists show first names that appear often with the Corbin surname in historical and recent records.

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Corbin

Modern surname records can be compared with neighbourhood classifications. For Corbin, this points to the kinds of places where the surname is most concentrated today.

These neighbourhood labels describe areas, not individual people. They are useful because surnames often cluster through family history, migration, housing patterns and local work. A surname can be strongest in one type of neighbourhood even when people with that name live across the country.

The UK classification gives the national picture. The London classification is more specific to the capital, where housing, age profile, tenure and population mix can look quite different from the rest of the UK.

UK neighbourhood type

UK Output Area Classification

Supergroup

Suburbanites and Peri-Urbanities

Group

Ageing Communities

Nationally, the Corbin surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Ageing Communities, within Suburbanites and Peri-Urbanities. This does not mean every Corbin household fits that profile, but it gives a useful signal about where the modern surname distribution is strongest.

Read profile summary

Group profile

Many residents are of normal retirement age or above and live in communal establishments, and there are few dependent children. The dominant property type is a mix of retirement flats and detached houses. Those in work are likely to be employed in managerial and professional occupations, and many residents are educated to degree level. Levels of owner occupation are high, but the private rental sector is also present. Rural locations predominate.

Wider pattern

Pervasive throughout the UK, members of this Supergroup typically own (or are buying) their detached, semi-detached or terraced homes. They are also typically educated to A Level/Highers or degree level and work in skilled or professional occupations. Typically born in the UK, some families have children, although the median adult age is above 45 and some property has become under-occupied after children have left home. This Supergroup is pervasive not only in suburban locations, but also in neighbourhoods at or beyond the edge of cities that adjoin rural parts of the country.

London neighbourhood type

London Output Area Classification

Supergroup

Young Families and Mainstream Employment

Group

Social Rented Sector and Diverse Origins

Within London, Corbin is most associated with areas classed as Social Rented Sector and Diverse Origins, part of Young Families and Mainstream Employment. This gives the surname a London-specific profile rather than forcing the capital into the same pattern as the rest of the country.

Read profile summary

Group profile

Scattered across London’s Inner and Outer suburbs, residents of these neighbourhoods are typically housed in the social rented sector. Although terraced and semi-detached houses predominate, more residents live in flats than elsewhere in the Supergroup. Neighbourhoods are more ethnically diverse than the Supergroup average. Those identifying as of Bangladeshi, Pakistani and some Black ethnicities are more prevalent. Europeans born in a overseas non-EU countries make up more of the lower proportion of residents identifying as White. Few residents are very old (85+). Employment in distribution, hotels and restaurants is more common than elsewhere in the Supergroup.

Wider London pattern

Many families in these neighbourhoods have young children. Housing is principally in the social rented sector, in terraced or semi-detached units. While over-all residential densities are low, overcrowding is also prevalent locally. Residents are drawn from a range of ethnic minorities, with many identifying as Black and above average numbers born in Africa. Numbers identifying as of Chinese, Indian or White ethnicity are below average. Levels of proficiency in English are below average. Levels of separation or divorce and incidence of disability are both above average. Education is typically limited to Level 1, 2, or apprenticeship qualifications. Few residents work in professional or managerial occupations but the employment structure is otherwise diverse: it includes skilled trades, caring, leisure and other service occupations, sales and customer service occupations, construction, and work as process, plant, and machine operatives.

Healthy neighbourhoods

Access to healthy assets and hazards

Corbin is most concentrated in decile 10 for access to healthy assets and hazards. This places the surname towards the healthier end of the index.

Lower deciles point towards weaker access to healthy assets or stronger exposure to local hazards. Higher deciles point towards stronger access and fewer hazards.

10
Lower access Higher access

Neighbourhood deprivation

Index of Multiple Deprivation

Corbin falls in decile 5 for neighbourhood deprivation. This puts the surname near the middle of the scale.

Decile 1 represents the more deprived end of the scale. Decile 10 represents the less deprived end.

5
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

The modern neighbourhood pattern for Corbin is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of 60-70 mbit/s.

The scale below places that band in context, from slower local download bands through to faster ones.

9
Slower band Faster band

Area snapshot

Ethnic group estimate

Most common ethnic group estimate
White - British

This describes the area pattern most associated with Corbin, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.

Meaning and origin of Corbin

The surname Corbin is of French origin and dates back to the Middle Ages. It is derived from the Old French word "corbin," which means "small raven" or "young raven." This suggests that the name was initially a nickname or descriptive name given to someone with dark hair or complexion, or perhaps someone who exhibited raven-like characteristics.

The name first appeared in the region of Normandy, France, where it was well-established by the 11th century. Some variations of the spelling include Corben, Corbyn, and Corbain. The earliest recorded mention of the name is found in the Domesday Book of 1086, a comprehensive survey of land ownership in England commissioned by William the Conqueror.

During the medieval period, several notable individuals bore the surname Corbin. One such person was Thomas Corbin, a prominent English merchant and politician who lived from 1292 to 1349. Another was Sir Robert Corbin, a 14th-century English knight who fought in the Hundred Years' War.

In the 16th century, the name appears in various records, including the writings of the English poet and playwright William Shakespeare. One of his characters, a messenger in the play "Henry VI, Part 2," is named John Corbin.

The name Corbin has also been associated with several place names, such as Corbin in Kentucky, United States, which was named after the Corbin family who settled in the area in the late 18th century. Another example is the town of Corbin in Virginia, established in the early 19th century and named after the prominent landowner Francis Corbin, who lived from 1759 to 1823.

Other notable individuals with the surname Corbin include the American artist and illustrator Thomas Corbin (1796-1868), renowned for his portraits and landscapes. Additionally, Charles Corbin (1858-1935) was a British actor and playwright who gained fame for his comedic performances on the London stage.

The surname Corbin has a rich history spanning several centuries and can be traced back to its French origins. It has been borne by individuals from various walks of life, including merchants, knights, poets, artists, and landowners, reflecting the diverse backgrounds and contributions of those who carried this name.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Corbin families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Corbin surname. Use the location tables for concentration, then the name and occupation tables for the people behind the surname.

Top counties

Total is the county count. Frequency and index adjust for local population size, so they are better concentration signals. Hampshire leads with 165 Corbins recorded in 1881 and an index of 13.99x.

County Total Index
Hampshire 165 13.99x
Dorset 120 31.77x
Channel Islands 90 52.77x
Surrey 31 1.11x
Wiltshire 26 5.11x
Middlesex 25 0.43x
Somerset 25 2.70x
Sussex 19 1.96x
Kent 18 0.92x
Lancashire 18 0.26x
Monmouthshire 17 4.09x
Gloucestershire 10 0.89x
Cambridgeshire 4 1.10x
Derbyshire 4 0.44x
Essex 4 0.35x
Hertfordshire 3 0.76x
Berkshire 2 0.46x
Buckinghamshire 2 0.57x
Caernarfonshire 2 0.86x
Cheshire 2 0.16x
Durham 1 0.06x
Glamorgan 1 0.10x
Yorkshire 1 0.02x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. St Peterinthe Wood in Channel Islands leads with 42 Corbins recorded in 1881 and an index of 1818.18x.

Place Total Index
St Peterinthe Wood 42 1818.18x
Kinson 41 555.56x
Christchurch 26 101.64x
Portsea 22 9.52x
Wimborne Minster 22 360.07x
Milton 21 716.72x
Southampton St Mary 19 25.61x
Holdenhurst 18 58.18x
Salisbury St Edmund 16 195.84x
Sopley 16 987.65x
St Helier 14 25.22x
West Derby 13 6.51x
St Saviour 11 116.65x
Chepstow 10 141.24x
Frome Vauchurch 9 3750.00x
Ringwood 9 119.21x
St Peter Port 9 28.53x
Brighton 8 4.09x
Wellington 8 63.69x
Chillenden 7 2592.59x
Farnham 7 32.10x
Millbrook 7 23.56x
Preston 7 507.25x
Ramsgate 7 21.84x
St George In East London 7 12.93x
St Woollos 7 15.08x
Chiselborough 6 845.07x
Maiden Newton 6 379.75x
Mortlake 6 48.00x
Southwark St George Martyr 6 5.18x
East Knoyle 5 289.02x
Hastings St Clement 5 54.76x
Lambeth 5 1.00x
Melcombe Regis 5 31.95x
Openshaw 5 15.63x
Otterbourne 5 295.86x
Puddletown 5 216.45x
Tidenham Beachley 5 409.84x
All Saints Cambridge 4 156.25x
Blandford Forum 4 53.69x
Chilfrome 4 2105.26x
East Chinnock 4 350.88x
Fulham London 4 4.79x
Hove 4 9.39x
Litchurch 4 11.03x
Lymington 4 46.14x
St Brelade 4 91.12x
St Martin 4 38.28x
Fugglestone St Peter 3 148.51x
Hammersmith London 3 2.12x
Hursley 3 109.49x
Parkstone 3 68.03x
Romford 3 16.70x
St Maryde Castro 3 71.60x
Stapleton 3 14.01x
Stockland Bristol 3 810.81x
Sway 3 189.87x
Ware 3 26.39x
Wimborne 3 65.65x
Bere Regis 2 79.05x
Bermondsey 2 1.17x
Clapham 2 2.78x
Fordingbridge 2 31.20x
Great Little Saughall 2 142.86x
Hornsey 2 2.75x
Hound 2 24.97x
Llandudno 2 24.10x
Lower Halstow 2 140.85x
Middle Chinnock 2 666.67x
Newport 2 31.25x
Poole St James 2 14.09x
St Anne Soho London 2 6.08x
St Sampson 2 26.01x
Upton Cum Chalvey 2 14.42x
Whitechapel London 2 3.53x
Aldershot 1 2.53x
Maidstone 1 1.71x
Odiham 1 19.31x
Upway 1 69.44x
Westminster St Margaret 1 3.60x

Top female names

These are the female first names most often recorded with the Corbin surname in 1881. Names are not merged, so initials, variant spellings and transcription quirks can appear as separate rows.

Name Count
Mary 33
Elizabeth 18
Emily 13
Ellen 12
Sarah 12
Louisa 11
Alice 10
Eliza 8
Emma 8
Jane 8
Maria 8
Ann 7
Harriet 6
Ada 5
Caroline 5
Harriett 5
Martha 5
Annie 4
Frances 4
Margaret 4
Rosa 4
Amelia 3
Anne 3
Fanny 3
Kate 3
Minnie 3
Rachel 3
Sophia 3
Susan 3
Alpha 2
Anna 2
Bessie 2
Edith 2
Elizth. 2
Esther 2
Florence 2
Jessie 2
Julia 2
Laura 2
Lilian 2
Lydia 2
Mabel 2
Marian 2
Rebecca 2
Rosina 2
Bergerre 1
Bertha 1
Cordelia 1
Ella 1
Susanna 1

Top male names

These are the male first names most often recorded with the Corbin surname in 1881. Names are not merged, so initials, variant spellings and transcription quirks can appear as separate rows.

FAQ

Corbin surname: questions and answers

How common was the Corbin surname in 1881?

In 1881, 503 people were recorded with the Corbin surname. That placed it at #6,747 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Corbin surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 1,317 in 2016. That gives Corbin a modern rank of #4,560.

What does the Corbin surname mean?

A French habitational surname referring to a person from a place called Corbeil, derived from the Latin "corvus" meaning "raven".

What does the Corbin map show?

The map shows local surname concentration for the selected year. Darker areas have a stronger concentration of Corbin bearers relative to the surrounding population.

What records is this surname page based on?

The historical counts come from census surname records. The modern counts and neighbourhood summaries come from later surname distribution records. Counts are recorded bearers in those records, not a live estimate of everyone with the name today.