UK surname
A surname derived from the nickname "Robin", a diminutive of Robert.
In the 1881 census there were 66 people recorded with the Robbin surname, ranking it #24,256 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 66, ranked #33,948, down from #24,256 in 1881.
The strongest historical links point to Wolverhampton, London parishes and Michaelstone-super-Avon. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include No data.
Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Robbin is 203 in 1891. Compared with 1881, the name has stayed broadly stable by 0.0%.
1881 census count
66
Ranked #24,256
Modern count
66
2016, ranked #33,948
Peak year
1891
203 bearers
Map years
3
1861 to 1911
Key insights
Map
Back to topThe map shows where the Robbin surname is concentrated in each census or modern distribution year. Darker areas mean a stronger local concentration.
Distribution map
Robbin surname density by area, 1911 census.
Timeline
Back to topThe 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 | 87 | #18,695 |
| 1861 | historical | 154 | #14,963 |
| 1881 | historical | 66 | #24,256 |
| 1891 | historical | 203 | #14,754 |
| 1901 | historical | 64 | #27,010 |
| 1911 | historical | 116 | #20,850 |
| 1997 | modern | 31 | #34,582 |
| 1998 | modern | 30 | #34,833 |
| 1999 | modern | 30 | #34,939 |
| 2000 | modern | 32 | #34,705 |
| 2001 | modern | 27 | #35,041 |
| 2002 | modern | 33 | #34,717 |
| 2003 | modern | 37 | #34,432 |
| 2004 | modern | 42 | #34,222 |
| 2005 | modern | 42 | #34,395 |
| 2006 | modern | 47 | #34,335 |
| 2007 | modern | 48 | #34,488 |
| 2008 | modern | 51 | #34,439 |
| 2009 | modern | 51 | #34,612 |
| 2010 | modern | 53 | #34,654 |
| 2011 | modern | 45 | #35,112 |
| 2012 | modern | 56 | #34,510 |
| 2013 | modern | 58 | #34,488 |
| 2014 | modern | 59 | #34,459 |
| 2015 | modern | 62 | #34,233 |
| 2016 | modern | 66 | #33,948 |
Geography
Back to topHistorical parish links are strongest around Wolverhampton, London parishes, Michaelstone-super-Avon and Jeffreston. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.
The modern local-area list points to No data. Treat these as concentration signals, not proof that every family line began there.
| Rank | Parish | Area |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Wolverhampton | Staffordshire |
| 2 | London parishes | London 1 |
| 3 | Michaelstone-super-Avon | Glamorganshire |
| 4 | London parishes | London 3 |
| 5 | Jeffreston | Pembrokeshire |
| Rank | Area | District |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | No data | No data |
Forenames
Back to topThese lists show first names that appear often with the Robbin surname in historical and recent records.
Recent female names
Recent male names
Modern profile
Back to topModern surname records can be compared with neighbourhood classifications. For Robbin, 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
Supergroup
No data
Group
No data
Nationally, the Robbin surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as No data, within No data. This does not mean every Robbin household fits that profile, but it gives a useful signal about where the modern surname distribution is strongest.
London neighbourhood type
Supergroup
No data
Group
No data
Within London, Robbin is most associated with areas classed as No data, part of No data. This gives the surname a London-specific profile rather than forcing the capital into the same pattern as the rest of the country.
Broadband speed
The modern neighbourhood pattern for Robbin is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of No data.
Area snapshot
This describes the area pattern most associated with Robbin, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.
Origin
Back to topThe surname Robbin is believed to have originated in England, with roots dating back to the medieval period. It is thought to be derived from the Old English word "rob," meaning a bird, or "robin," referring to the small, red-breasted bird.
One of the earliest recorded instances of the name appears in the Domesday Book of 1086, where it is listed as "Rodbertus" in Lincolnshire. This suggests that the name may have initially been a nickname or descriptive term for someone who resembled or had a connection with the robin bird.
Over time, the name evolved into various spellings, including Robyn, Robins, and Robbin. These variations can be found in historical records and manuscripts from different regions of England, particularly in areas where bird nicknames were common.
In the 13th century, a notable individual named Richard Robbin is mentioned in the Assize Rolls of Yorkshire, indicating the presence of the surname in that region during that time period. Another early record from 1327 references John Robyn, a resident of Suffolk.
One of the earliest known bearers of the name was Sir William Robyn, a knight who lived in the late 14th century. He is recorded as having served under King Richard II and participated in the Battle of Shrewsbury in 1403.
During the 16th century, the surname gained prominence with the rise of the Robbin family of Huntingdonshire. This family produced several notable figures, including Thomas Robbin (1544-1619), a prominent merchant and landowner, and his son, Sir John Robbin (1583-1656), who served as a Member of Parliament.
Another individual of historical significance was Robert Robbin (1642-1719), a renowned English scholar and clergyman who served as the Bishop of Bath and Wells. He was known for his contributions to theological literature and his writings on church history.
In the 18th century, the surname was further documented through the works of authors and poets, such as the English poet and playwright William Robbin (1707-1781), whose works were highly regarded during his time.
Throughout the centuries, the Robbin surname has maintained a presence across various regions of England, with individuals bearing this name contributing to various fields, including politics, literature, religion, and commerce.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
1881 census detail
Back to topThese tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Robbin surname. Use the location tables for concentration, then the name and occupation tables for the people behind the surname.
Total is the county count. Frequency and index adjust for local population size, so they are better concentration signals. Middlesex leads with 9 Robbins recorded in 1881 and an index of 1.44x.
| County | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| Middlesex | 9 | 1.44x |
| Derbyshire | 8 | 8.19x |
| Kent | 8 | 3.76x |
| Lanarkshire | 8 | 3.96x |
| Yorkshire | 7 | 1.13x |
| Somerset | 6 | 5.97x |
| Glamorgan | 5 | 4.60x |
| Essex | 2 | 1.62x |
| Gloucestershire | 2 | 1.63x |
| Lancashire | 2 | 0.27x |
| Surrey | 2 | 0.66x |
| Cambridgeshire | 1 | 2.53x |
| Hampshire | 1 | 0.78x |
| Perthshire | 1 | 3.57x |
| Wiltshire | 1 | 1.81x |
| Worcestershire | 1 | 1.23x |
Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Derby St Peter in Derbyshire leads with 8 Robbins recorded in 1881 and an index of 257.23x.
| Place | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| Derby St Peter | 8 | 257.23x |
| Bradford | 7 | 46.73x |
| Old Monkland | 7 | 87.39x |
| Lyncombe Widcombe | 6 | 228.14x |
| Minster In Sheppey | 5 | 141.64x |
| Paddington London | 4 | 17.42x |
| St Anne Soho London | 4 | 112.04x |
| Gillingham | 3 | 68.34x |
| Michaelstone Super Avon | 3 | 254.24x |
| Leyton Low | 2 | 80.00x |
| Barony | 1 | 1.96x |
| Battersea | 1 | 4.35x |
| Bristol St Paul In | 1 | 30.67x |
| Bristol St Philip Jacob | 1 | 8.67x |
| Calne | 1 | 87.72x |
| Clapham | 1 | 12.82x |
| Clerkenwell London | 1 | 6.78x |
| Dullingham | 1 | 555.56x |
| Kirkdale | 1 | 8.03x |
| Monzievaird Strowan | 1 | 666.67x |
| Northfield | 1 | 64.52x |
| Portsea | 1 | 3.99x |
| Roath | 1 | 20.24x |
| Swansea Town | 1 | 11.22x |
| Walton On Hill | 1 | 24.94x |
These are the female first names most often recorded with the Robbin surname in 1881. Names are not merged, so initials, variant spellings and transcription quirks can appear as separate rows.
These are the male first names most often recorded with the Robbin surname in 1881. Names are not merged, so initials, variant spellings and transcription quirks can appear as separate rows.
Occupational titles are kept as recorded and later transcribed, so related jobs, spelling variants and mistakes stay separate. Scholar was the census term for a child in education. That means the other rows often tell you more about adult work in Robbin households.
| Occupation | Count |
|---|---|
| Scholar | 13 |
| Domestic Servant | 2 |
| General Servant | 2 |
| Model Maker (E&M) | 2 |
| Shipwright | 2 |
| Coal Miner | 1 |
| Commercial Traveller Drapery | 1 |
| Cook Domestic (D) | 1 |
| Dressmaker | 1 |
| Engine Smith (C M Maker) | 1 |
| Gamekeeper | 1 |
| General Servant Domestic | 1 |
| Grocer Provision Merchant | 1 |
| Housekeeper | 1 |
| Light Porter | 1 |
| None | 1 |
| Nurse | 1 |
| Railway Inspector | 1 |
| Retired Sailor | 1 |
| Rover | 1 |
| Shirt Maker | 1 |
| Shop Keeper (Fish) | 1 |
| Wife | 1 |
FAQ
In 1881, 66 people were recorded with the Robbin surname. That placed it at #24,256 in the surname rankings for that year.
The latest modern count shown here is 66 in 2016. That gives Robbin a modern rank of #33,948.
A surname derived from the nickname "Robin", a diminutive of Robert.
The map shows local surname concentration for the selected year. Darker areas have a stronger concentration of Robbin bearers relative to the surrounding population.
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.