Robinett
A diminutive of Robin, ultimately tied to Robert, meaning “little Robin” or “son of Robin.”
The #8,925 most common surname in the United States (2010 Census) — about 1 in every 84,196 Americans shares it.
Etymology
Robinett is a French-shaped diminutive built on Robin, itself a pet form of Robert. In English surname usage, it was often understood as a surname derived from a personal name rather than from any trade or place. The deeper root of Robert comes from the old Germanic name elements meaning “bright fame.”
History
The surname appears in English records by the 17th century and is especially associated in older surname dictionaries with the French form Robinet. It likely came into English through contact with French naming habits, then settled as a hereditary surname. Modern bearers are most common in the United States, where the name is relatively uncommon but well established.
Origin
Regions
Variant spellings
Fun fact
Older surname scholars treated Robinett as a clear example of how a nickname can become a fixed family name.
From the historical record
“1694. Married— Robert Hallywell and Susanna Robinett, of Saffron Walden, co. Essex : St. Dionis Backchurch (London). 1804. — Henry Standford and Lucy Rabnett : St C^eo. Han. Sq. ii. 306.”
— A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames (alternate scan)