Surname Tebbetts - Meaning and Origin
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Tebbetts: What does the surname Tebbetts mean?
The last name Tebbetts is an English surname that has been used in the United States since the late 16th century. The surname is believed to be derived from the name of an English town with the same spelling, located in Northamptonshire. Tebbetts is thought to be of occupational origin, as it was likely first used to describe someone living or working in Tebbetts or someone who had an association with the town in some way.
The name may also be related to the Old English word "tibba," which means "button," and suggests that the original bearer of the surname may have been a button maker or had a similar craft. Other English words that may have influenced the spelling of Tebbetts include "tab," which means "small piece," and "tabula," which refers to a small plank or sheet of material.
Today, Tebbetts is a fairly uncommon name in both the United Kingdom and the United States. It is primarily found in the northeastern United States, particularly in Maine and New Hampshire where the original bearer of the name was likely from. Those with the Tebbetts name are thought to be hardworking, independent, and proud individuals who are loyal and devoted to their family and friends.
Order DNA origin analysisTebbetts: Where does the name Tebbetts come from?
The last name Tebbetts is most frequently found in the United States today. The surname Tebbetts is of English origin. It is likely derived from the Anglo-Saxon personal name Tibba, which in Norfolk was probably a pet form of Theobald. It is most common in New England, particularly in the states of Maine, Massachusetts, and Rhode Island. It is estimated that there are about four thousand individuals in the United States today bearing the last name Tebbetts.
Historically, Tebbetts family members were often found in the fishing industry. Many Tebbetts men and families were found in the parish of Dartmouth, Devon, England. In 1840, there was 1 Tebbetts family found living in Massachusetts.
According to the U.S. Census Bureau, there are about 4,000 individuals living in the United States with the last name Tebbetts. This puts the Tebbetts family at number 11,814 in terms of most common last name. However, Tebbetts family members are still found in many eastern states in the United States. In particular, the states of Rhode Island, Massachusetts, and Maine have the highest concentrations of Tebbetts families.
The Tebbetts surname has also been documented in the Canadian Province of Nova Scotia, where it is believed that some Tebbetts family members migrated in the 19th century. It is also possible that some members of the Tebbetts family settled in the Midwest United States as well.
Overall, the Tebbetts family name is found primarily in the United States, with concentrations in the northeast and in Canada. The surname is considered to be relatively uncommon, but it is still documented in many parts of the English-speaking world.
Variations of the surname Tebbetts
The variants, spellings and surnames of the same origin for the surname Tebbetts are Tibbetts, Tibbetts, Tibbits, Tibbets, Tibberts, Tebbets, Tebbetts, Tebbitts, Tebbutt, Teepetts, Tebbuts, Tebetts, Tibbotts, Tibbetts, Tebbets, Tibbitts, and Tibbits.
Tebbetts is an English surname, which is believed to be of Anglo-Saxon origin. It is a patronymic of the surname Tebbutt, which was derived from the Middle English personal name “Theobald” or “Theobot”, which means “bold of people”.
Tebbutt has two main branches—one in the East Riding of Yorkshire and one in Lincolnshire. The two branches took different spellings from early on in their development. In the East Riding, the spelling was Tebbetts. In Lincolnshire it was Tibbitts.
The spelling Tibbits is another variant of Tebbetts, which is the most common spelling of this surname outside of Yorkshire. This spelling is believed to be from Cornwall, where it was most likely adapted to fit in with local dialect.
The variants Tebbuts and Tebbutt are also found. These were likely derived from Tebbetts, but adapted to fit in with local dialects.
Tebbutts, Tibbotts, Tibbitts, and Tibbits are also possible variants of Tebbetts or Tibbetts. These were likely derived by replacing the “t” of Tebbetts or Tibbetts with an “tt” or a “bb” respectively.
In the United States, it is common to find the spelling of Tebbetts and its variants in records before the mid-1900s.
In summary, the variants, spellings and surnames of the origin for the surname Tebbetts are Tibbetts, Tibbetts, Tibbits, Tibbets, Tibberts, Tebbets, Tebbetts, Tebbitts, Tebbutt, Teepetts, Tebbuts, Tebetts, Tibbotts, Tibbetts, Tebbets, Tibbitts, and Tibbits.
Famous people with the name Tebbetts
- George Tebbetts: Former U.S. Senator and Representative from Maine
- Robert Tebbetts: Emmy Award-winning composer and music producer
- John Tebbetts: American author, speaker, and professor at the University of Texas
- Brian Tebbetts: former MLB relief pitcher
- John Charles Tebbetts: American Episcopal minister and missionary
- Larry Tebbetts: nineteenth century American politician and soldier
- Tucker Tebbetts: former American football player
- William Tebbetts: Revolutionary War soldier and town selectman
- Wallace Tebbetts: Former Mayor of Claremont, New Hampshire
- Edward Tebbetts: Former Vermont Treasurer and State Senator