Robey
A surname with multiple possible roots, most often treated as a variant of Roby and ultimately linked to the given name Robert.
The #6,381 most common surname in the United States (2010 Census) — about 1 in every 57,893 Americans shares it.
Etymology
The sources most strongly connect Robey with Roby, which is itself a shortened surname form from Robert. In that tradition, the underlying name goes back to Germanic elements meaning roughly “bright fame.” Some surname books also note that forms like Robey may overlap with local place-name surnames in parts of England, so more than one origin may apply in different families.
History
This name appears in English records in several spellings, especially in the Midlands and the north of England. Because Robey and Roby are close phonetic spellings, the surname likely spread through regional pronunciation rather than from a single fixed form. In later English usage it became established as an independent family name, and the spelling Robey is now the standard form for many bearers.
Origin
Regions
Variant spellings
Fun fact
Surname dictionaries often place Robey right beside Roby, showing how a tiny spelling change could create a lasting family name.
From the historical record
“ROBESON = Robson, q.v. ROBEY = Roby, q.v. ROBILARD = Rob, a dim. of Robert (q.v.) + . the Fr. double dim. suff. -el-ard. Robelard.^/fM«rf. Rolls. 117 Roche”
— Surnames of the United Kingdom: a concise etymological dictionary (2 vols in 1)