A surname of English origin, or referring to various places named Hobbs. Can also refer to multiple people with the surname Hobbs.
From Middle English Hobbe, a medieval diminutive form of Robert (Rob > Hob > Hobbs). The -s ending indicates 'son of Hob' or possession. This follows the common English pattern of creating surnames from first names with added possessive markers.
The name Hobbs shows how medieval nicknames became permanent surnames - Hob was such a common nickname for Robert that 'hobgoblin' literally means 'Robin goblin' or 'Rob goblin'. Many English surnames ending in -s follow this same pattern of patronymic formation, essentially meaning 'belonging to' or 'son of' the root name.
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