This surname is derived from the name of an ancestor. 'the son of Talbot'

Richard Talebot, Domesday.

Ricardus Talebot, Pipe Roll, 5 Henry II.

Talebot de Hadfeld, ibid.

Talebotus Talebot, Fines Roll, 13 Edward I.

Talebotus de Hintlesham, 34 Edward I: Calendarium Genealogicum: Henry III-Edward I.

The vexed question of the origin of this name is absolutely settled by my last references. It is a personal name. It was not local, for it is never found in conjunction with 'de.' Many surnames may be seen in Domesday, and Talebot would simply be Richard's patronymic. This explains to a certain extent the early use of Talbot as a dog's name, personal names being freely used in this manner. Gilbert as Gib became the recognized name for a cat, Cuddy (Cuthbert) for a donkey.

'Ran Colie oar dogge, and Talbot, and Gerlond.' Chaucer, The Canterbury Tales.

Willelmus Talbot, 1379: Poll Tax of Yorkshire.

Willelmus Talbot-mao, 1379: ibid.

1580-1. John Hedlea and Susanna Talbott: Marriage Lic. (Westminster).

(A. - French) Pillager, Bandit [Old French talebot] Talebotus Talebot.—Fine-Rolls, A.D. 1284.

Talbot occurs in the list of “Compagnons de Guillaume à la Conquête de l’Angleterre en MLXVI” graven over the main doorway (inside) of the old church at Dives; and, of course, in the alleged copies of the Roll of Battle Abbey.

In the dialect of Normandy talbot signifies ‘lampblack’, ‘pot-black’— Talebot s’est dit dans l’ancienne langue pour pillard, voleur; peut-être pourrait-on rattacher cette dénomination à l’habitude qu’avaient et qu’ont gardée certains bandits de se rendre méconnaissables en se noircissant le visage.—Moisy, Dict. Patois Norm., p. 615.

(English) Descendant of Talbot (to cut fagots); the pillager or bandit.

This illustrious family trace, sine hiatu, to the great Domesday tenant, Richard Talebot. Mr. Shirley, in his Noble and Gentle Men, remarks, that "no family in England are more connected with the history of our country than this noble race; few are more highly allied. The Marches of Wales appear to have been the original seat; afterwards we find the Talbots in Shropshire, in Staffordshire, and lastly in Yorkshire."

Lower says this family traces, sine hiatu, to the great Domesday tenant, Richard Talebot; and that the Marches of Wales appear to have been the original seat, but that the name is not territorial, being never prefaced with De. A talbot, in heraldry, is a hunting-dog. Dr. Johnson defines it a hound; and says, though incorrectly, that it is borne by the house of Talbot in their arms. Several of the Talbot family have been sheriffs of Cornwall, and the name may possibly be derived from locality. "Talbot (in Probus), which is an abbreviation of Haleboat, is a rock called Ha-le-boate Rock; wherein, to this day, are seen many great iron rings, whereunto boats have been tied, although there is now no show of an haven, but only a little brook running through the valley into a branch of the river Fail."

A mastiff.

The Talbots are now chiefly established in Somerset, Dorset, Lancashire, and Notts. The ancient and illustrious family of the Talbots, dating back to Domesday times, were originally settled in the Welsh Marches, and afterwards in Shropshire and Staffordshire, and then in Yorkshire (L.).