Guild of One-Name Studies
One-name studies, Genealogy
Study: Corbet
Variants: Carbett, Corber, Corbett, Corbitt, Corbutt, Courbett
Category: 3 - A study where research using core genealogical datasets and transcriptions is well under way on a global basis.
Contact: Mr Gordon Corbett
Corbit is the Old French for 'raven' and the New English Dictionary says it was also 'probably a nickname for one with dark hair or complexion'. The dictionary also says 'corbeau' is a blackish green colour from the French for raven and 'corbie' a raven or crow. (A corbie messenger in Scotland is one who returns too late or not at all, and corbiesteps are crow steps.) (The Dictionary of Names)
CORBER (a Devon family) became CORBET when they moved to London - details of this family also recorded.
Also see The Surnames of Ireland by Edward Maclisaght.