Corbett

What does Corbett mean?

Corbett brings to mind the image of a small raven. The name comes from an Old French nickname meaning 'little raven', where the element corbe or corb refers to a raven and the suffix -et indicates smallness or affection. The image of a raven in many cultures suggests intelligence, presence and a dark, striking appearance.

The tone of Corbett is quietly sturdy and slightly old fashioned in a good way. It feels like a surname used as a given name, carrying a sense of history without being grandiose. Corbett sits well alongside names such as Arthur or Thomas and can sound both outdoorsy and refined depending on the surname and middle name it is paired with.

Historical Context

Corbett began as a medieval nickname. In Old French corbet meant 'little raven', with corb or corbe coming from Latin corvus for raven and the suffix -et marking a diminutive or term of endearment. As surnames formed in England after the Norman Conquest, nicknames and descriptive terms were frequently adopted as family names. Corbett became established as a hereditary surname in Britain and in Ireland, often with regional spellings such as Corbet.

By the 19th and 20th centuries surnames increasingly crossed into use as given names. Corbett follows that pattern, carrying the patina of a family name while keeping a compact, approachable sound. It is related in sense to names like Corbin and older names derived from corvus, but Corbett has its own identity tied to the diminutive form and to its history as an English surname.

Popularity of Corbett over time

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