Robins
A patronymic surname meaning “son of Robin,” with Robin itself a medieval nickname form of Robert.
The #3,322 most common surname in the United States (2010 Census) — about 1 in every 28,595 Americans shares it.
Etymology
Robins comes from Robin, a medieval diminutive of Robert, plus the possessive or family-ending -s. In plain terms, it originally meant “Robin’s son” or “belonging to Robin.” The deeper root is Robert, an old Germanic name built from elements meaning “fame” and “bright” or “shining.”
History
English surname books record Robins from the medieval period, alongside related forms such as Robbins and Robinson. Robin was long common as a familiar nickname, helped by well-known medieval figures and folklore such as Robin Hood. The name spread widely in England and later to Scotland, Wales, and the wider ангlosphere through migration and record-keeping.
Origin
Regions
Variant spellings
Fun fact
Older writers noted that Robin was not always just a pet form of Robert; it could also carry a playful or mischievous tone in everyday speech.
From the historical record
“Larchey, p. 416. ROBINS, Robin's (Son) 1„ p-uj- ROBINSON, Robin's SonJ ^' "°"'"- ROBISHAW for Robertshaw, q.v. ROBISON, Rob(b)ie's Son: v. Robbie. ROBKIN = Rob (q.v.) + the E. (double) dim. suff. -kin [O.L.Ger. -Mb] Robekin is the usual i3th-cent. form. ROBLET "I = Rob (q.v.) -|- the Fr. double”
— Surnames of the United Kingdom: a concise etymological dictionary (2 vols in 1)