This surname is derived from the name of an ancestor. 'the son of Robert,' from the nick. Rob or Robbie; compare the other nick. Hob, and Hobson. v. Robison.

Ricardus Robson, 1379: Poll Tax of Yorkshire.

1565. Baptised — Thomas, s. Richard Robson: St. James, Clerkenwell.

1598. John Robson, Westmorland: Register of the University of Oxford.

1625. Francis Robson and Wilseam (sic) Harbert: Marriage Lic. (London).

This surname is derived from the name of an ancestor. 'the son of Robert,' from the pet Robbie, whence the patronymic Robison.

Thomas Robyson, faber, 1379: Poll Tax of Yorkshire.

1567. James Robyson, of Wray: Lancashire Wills at Richmond.

1801. Married — Francis MacGowran and Elizabeth Robeson: St. George, Hanover Square.

'son of Robert, from the diminutives Rob and Rob(b)ie. Patrick Robson is in record in 1436 (Home, 6), and Donald Robison and Donald Robertson, 1446, ere one and the same person (Cupar-Angus, I, p. 124,125). Wylie Robyson witnessed resignation of a feu in Peebles in 1471 (Scots Lore, p. 52), John Robison was vicar of Maxwell in 1475 (Kelso, 532), and in 1477 David Robisone was prebendary of the Collegiate Church of Menybole (Maybole) (SBR., p. 261). John Robisone and Edward Robisone were charged with defrauding the king's customs in 1524 (Irvine, I, p. 35), Danthe Robsone, Rychert Robisone, Thomas Robisone, and Willie Robisone were tenants on the lands of the Abbey of Kelso in 1567 (Kelso, p. 520,521, 524). Andrew Robsone was retoured heir in the forty shilling lands of Glediswode, Lauderdale, in 1604 (Retours, Berwick, 42), George Robesoun was retoured heir of his mother, Jonet Wricht, in lands in the parish of Terregles in 1633 (Retours, Dumfries, 151), and Thomas Robson was served heir to Thomas Robson, his 'gudser,' in certain tenements in Thurso, 1654 (Retours, Caithness, 24). The name became Robsahm in Sweden (Fischer III, p. 263). Robesone 1606, Robsoun 1600 Robsoin 1687.

See under ROBESON. The English Robsons formed one of the four principal clans of North Tyne in the sixteenth century. In Bullein's Dialogue they are described as "a wight riding sirname, good honest men and true, saving a little shifting for their living." The northern Robsons are said to be descended (1) from Robert, second son of George Gunn the Crowner, or (2) from John Gunn Robson (1616).

ROBERT, Robbert: An Old English personal name, Robert, meaning 'bright fame' (hroð + berht). Alexander Robert, a Scotsman, arrested as a spy. to be liberated, 1402 (Bain, IV, 607) Horrowed into Gaelic as Raebert, which see.

= Robson, q.v.

(English, Scottish) The son of Rob, a pet form of Robert (fame, bright).

A Teutonic personal name of great antiquity, which was introduced into England about the time of the Conquest. As Rotbertus, it is frequently found in Domesday. Besides having itself become a surname, it has given rise to a great many others, as-Roberts, Robarts, Robertson, Robins, Robbins, Robinson, Robbie, Robison, Robeson, Robb, Robson, Roby. It has also taken the form of Fitz-Robert, and, in Wales, those of Ap-Robert and Ap-Robyn, now contracted to Probert and Probyn. Its nicknames are Dobb and Hobb, from the former of which we get Dobbs, Dobby, Dobbie, Dobson, Dabson, Dobbin, Dobbins, Dobinson; and from the latter, Hobbs, Hobbes, Hobson, Hobbins, Hobkins, Hopkins, Hopkinson, and Hoby.

AP ROBERT: (Welsh). The son of Robert. Hence Probert. The name sometimes took the form of Robin, and hence Ap Robyn, Probyn.

Northumberland is the great home of the Robsons, particularly the district of North Tyne, where they have been established since the 12th or 13th century (C.). They formed one of the four principal clans of North Tyne in the 16th century, and were the hereditary foes of the Armstrongs of Liddesdale on the Scottish side of the border (C.). Though scattered over Northumberland, the Robsons are still numerous in North Tyne; and in the parish of Falstone, where as "lairds" they have held property for some 400 years, they are yet well represented. The name has obtained but little hold across the border, but it has extended southward in force into the county of Durham; it reaches Yorkshire in diminished numbers, and dies out in Lincolnshire.