Recorded as the very rare Hobbin, and the almost equally rare Hobbins and Hubbins, this is an English surname. It is of Medieval origin, and is a patronymic of the diminutive Hobbin or Hubbin, themselves from Hobb, itself a nickname form of the pre 7th century Saxon personal name, 'Hrod-berht', the later Robert. This was composed of the elements "hrod" meaning renown, and "berht" - bright or famous. The personal name in the days before surnames were introduced, is recorded in the famous Domesday Book of 1086 as Rodbertus, Rotbert and Robert, the name bearers being followers of William, Duke of Normandy, who had been granted lands in England. The pet form Hobb, rhymed on Rob is recorded in the Pipe Rolls of Shropshire in 1176 where it appears as "Hobbe Litel". The personal name was first adopted as a surname in the year 1204 with that of Osbert Hobbe in the Pipe Rolls of Rutland, whilst the patronymics Hobbes and Hobson are recorded in the 14th century, with Henry Hobbens being recorded in the Subsidy Tax rolls of Worcester in 1327, and Mary Hubbins who married William Jackson at St Mary's church Spitalfields, in the city of London, on July 7th 1648. Surnames became necessary when governments introduced personal taxation. In England this was known as Poll Tax. Throughout the centuries, surnames in every country have continued to "develop" often leading to astonishing variants of the original spelling.

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