Surname Meaning - Dobson

This surname is actually my own maiden name, which has originated from Northern Ireland through my great great grandfather, Edward Dobson.  I heard from my late grandfather that Edward was actually born in County Armagh, but how true that is I don't know.  The 1901 and 1911 Scottish Census does state that his country of birth is Ireland, but other than that, I have no other clues.  Therefore my research regarding the Dobson's stops here in the research.  I did find this meaning of the surname and thought I would add it to my blog as it is also the most important part of me.

DOBSON

This most interesting surname, of medieval English origin, is a patronymic, of the medieval personal name "Dobbe", which is itself a pet form of Robert, from "Hrodebert", a Germanic personal name composed of the elements "hrod", renown and "berht", bright, famous. Robert, though found in England before the Norman Conquest, became more widespread among all classes of society afterwards. Dobb itself is a popular surname in the North of England and the Midlands. Other patronymic names from this source include Dobbin(g)s, Dob(b)inson, Dobbison and Dobbieson. Dobson itself is also found fairly widespread in County Leitrim, Ireland, probably as a result of the influx of early English settlers into the country. One Roger Dobbessone appeared in the "Enforcement of the Statutes of Labourers, 1349 - 1359", in Cheshire (circa 1356). William Dobson (1610 - 1646), was introduced to Charles 1 by Vandyck and was one of the earliest English subject and portrait painters of eminence. John Dobson (1787 - 1865) an architect, designed new streets and public buildings in Newcastle-on-Tyne. He is reputed to be a pioneer of the modern Gothic revival. The first recorded spelling of the family name is shown to be that of Henry Dobbesone, which was dated 1327, in the "Subsidy Rolls of Worcestershire", during the reign of King Edward 111, known as "The Father of the Navy", 1327 - 1377. 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.

3 Generations of Male Dobsons 

William Dobson 1944-2008

This picture of William Dobson comes from his wedding photograph in 1965.  William was born in 1944 in Blantyre Lanarkshire to his mother Jeanie Stewart Dick and father William Dobson.  Sadly Jeanie died 2 weeks after her son was born and never knew her son.  William was brought up by his father as well as his grandparents William and Elizabeth Dobson.  He married his wife Jean Bayne in 1965 and they went on to have 5 children, including myself.

William Dobson 1921-2006

William Dobson (above) was born in 1921 to parents William Senior and Elizabeth Clelland.  He was the eldest of 4 surviving children although his parents had another 4 not surviving infancy.  William was firstly married to Jeanie Stewart Dick in 1943 although Jeanie sadly died in 1944 after the birth of her only son, William.  Jeanie also left 2 daughters from a previous marriage to William Lees.  William did not marry for several years and then married in 1964 to Alice Hamill.  Alice was a widow who had 4 children from her previous marriage.  They were married for about 8 years before Alice passed away.  William himself, passed away in 2006 and he was my grandfather.

William Dobson 1894-1970

William was the eldest son of Edward Dobson and his wife Mary Adams.  Edward came over from Ireland and worked in the mines, living in Bairds Rows, where he met his wife to be living next door.  William also grew up working in the mines and married in 1921 to Elizabeth Clelland, daughter of the late William Clelland and Mary Robertson.  William and Elizabeth went on to have 8 children in total, with only 4 surviving infancy.  Elizabeth Clelland died in 1965 with William passing away in 1970.