Robinson History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

The surname Robinson is a name of ancient Anglo-Saxon origin. It is derived from the baptismal name Robin, which was a diminutive of the personal name Robert, and refers to “a son of Robin or Robert.”

Early Origins of the Robinson family

The surname Robinson was first found in Yorkshire, where a John Richard Robunson was on record in 1324 in the Court Rolls of the manor of Wakefield, and a Thomas Robynson was listed in the Yorkshire Poll Tax returns of 1379. [1]

The Robinson family in Ireland is typically found in Ulster where they migrated to in the Plantation of Ireland.

Early History of the Robinson family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Robinson research.

Robinson Spelling Variations

Spelling variations of this family name include: Robinson, Robenson, Robbison, Robbinson, McRobin and others.

Early Notables of the Robinson family (pre 1700)

Distinguished members of the family include John Robinson (1576-1625), known as the “Pilgrim Pastor,” who was the first pastor and inspiration to the church of the Pilgrim Fathers, Henry Crabb Robinson (1775-1867), a foreign correspondent for The Times.

Robinson World Ranking

In the United States, the name Robinson is the 20^th most popular surname with an estimated 579,471 people with that name. [2] However, in Canada, the name Robinson is ranked the 30^thmost popular surname with an estimated 47,171 people with that name. [3] And in Quebec, Canada, the name Robinson is the 539^th popular surname. [4] Newfoundland, Canada ranks Robinson as 689^th with 63 people. [5] Australia ranks Robinson as 29^th with 48,735 people. [6]New Zealand ranks Robinson as 17^th with 6,198 people. [7] The United Kingdom ranks Robinson as 13^rd with 137,489 people. [8] South Africa ranks Robinson as 711^st with 9,594 people. [9]

 Migration of the Robinson family to Ireland

Some of the Robinson family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt.

 Robinson migration to the United States +

Some of the first settlers of this family name were: 

Robinson Settlers in United States in the 17th Century

• John Robinson, who arrived in Jamestown, Virginia aboard the ship “Discovery” in 1607, died soon after
• Mr. John Robinson, aged 21,who arrived in Virginia in 1622 aboard the ship “Margaret & John” [10]
• Isaac and Bridget Robinson, who arrived in Plymouth in 1629
• Constance Robinson, who landed in New England in 1634 [11]
• Mr. Robert Robinson, aged 45, who arrived in New England aboard the ship “The Christian” in 1634 [10]

Robinson Settlers in United States in the 18th Century

• George Robinson, who landed in Virginia in 1706 [11]
• David Robinson, who arrived in South Carolina in 1716 [11]
• Anne Robinson, who landed in Virginia in 1717 [11]
• Catherine and Charles Robinson, who settled in Virginia in 1730
• James Robinson, who settled in Virginia in 1775

Robinson Settlers in United States in the 19th Century

• Aistroppe Robinson, who arrived in New York, NY in 1804 [11]
• Barber Robinson, aged 5, who arrived in New York, NY in 1804 [11]
• Hugh Robinson, who landed in America in 1809 [11]
• Isabella Robinson, who landed in New York, NY in 1812 [11]
• Gilbert Robinson, aged 50, who arrived in New York in 1812 [11]

 Robinson migration to Canada +

Some of the first settlers of this family name were: 

Robinson Settlers in Canada in the 17th Century

• William Robinson, who arrived in Ferryland, Newfoundland in 1677 [12]

Robinson Settlers in Canada in the 18th Century

• Charles Robinson, who landed in Nova Scotia in 1750
• Ben j Robinson, who landed in Nova Scotia in 1760
• Edward Robinson, who arrived in Nova Scotia in 1774
• Hannah Robinson, who landed in Nova Scotia in 1774
• Elizabeth Robinson, aged 30, who arrived in Fort Cumberland, Nova Scotia in 1775

Robinson Settlers in Canada in the 19th Century

• William Robinson, who emigrated from County Tipperary, Ireland to St. John’s, Newfoundland in 1831 [12]
• George Robinson, aged 21, a labourer, who arrived in Saint John, New Brunswick in 1833 aboard the ship “John & Mary” from Belfast, Ireland
• Joseph Robinson, aged 13, who arrived in Saint John, New Brunswick in 1833 aboard the ship “John & Mary” from Belfast, Ireland
• Bess Robinson, aged 18, who arrived in Saint John, New Brunswick in 1833 aboard the ship “John & Mary” from Belfast, Ireland
• Sarah Robinson, aged 17, who arrived in Saint John, New Brunswick in 1833 aboard the schooner “Sarah” from Belfast, Ireland