This surname is derived from the name of an ancestor. 'the son of Jacob,' from nick. Cob and diminutive Cob-et; v. Cobb and Coppin. This derivation is all but settled by the earliest form found in Norfolk of this essentially Norfolk surname; v. Cobbett.

Geoffrey Cobet, Norfolk, 1273. Hundred Rolls.

Roger Cobet, Norfolk, ibid.

The nick. Cobb and the diminutive Copping are found among the bailiffs of Norwich (1378-95): FF. iii. 116. The change from 'o' to 'u' is eccentric, but so are an endless number of corruptions in this dictionary. The above is strongly confirmed by the fact that Collier is Cullyer, and Colley or Colly is Culley, in Norfolk (q.v). Probably the dialectic sound of o was ll in this district.

Benedict Cabin, bailiff of Yarmouth, 1566: History of Norfolk.

1739. Married — Benjamin Barber and Barbara Cubit: St. George, Hanover Square.

1756. — Thomas Cubitt and Mary Gray: ibid.

Nickname for Cuthbert.

I cannot explain this somewhat common and well-known surname, unless it be a diminutive or corruption of a personal name, which seems to be supported by the existence of the patronymical Cubison. Jamieson has "Cube, Cubie, probably the abbreviation of Cuthbert." If this conjecture be correct, Cubitt and Cuthbert are most likely identical.

Jamieson gives Cube, Cubbe, as probable abbreviations of Cuthbert; hence perhaps Cubitt; but this name, as well as Cupit, Cupitt, Cobbett, may be a diminutive of Cobb, Copp, Cope, Old German Cobbo, Coppo, Cuppa (whence perhaps, as patronymics, Cobbing, Copping, Kopping, Coppin, Coppen, Coppinger, Coppens, Copas, Copus, Coppard, and the French Copaux, Coppaz, Copeau, Copel, Copil, Copin, Coppin, Copinot, Coppeaux); from Anglo-Saxon cop, O. High German hop, Modern German kopf, D. kop, the head; Old French cope, copeau, coppe, coupeau, cime, sommet, péage. Cob is also a name for the sea-fowl, the sea-cob, and in some parts of England for a spider; from O. D. hop, or koppe, retained in koppespin, spinnekop, a spider. Cob is also a close-built strong kind of pony, and cob, cop is still used for the top or head.

The Cubitts of Norwich and its neighbourhood bear an ancient name which has been represented in that city since the 17th century. At the end of the 15th century, Robert Cubit was abbot of Horning; and about the same time the name of Cubet occurred in the adjacent parish of Neatishead. In 1405, John Cubet was rector of Thorp - by - Norwich; and the name of Cubit occurs in the list of the ringleaders of the rebellion of the Norfolk "levellers" in 1382. This name has long been a familiar clerical name in the county, several benefices being held by Cubits in the early part of last century (Bl.).