Daily AncestorHob
Hob is a nickname for Robert, so the same person may be Hob in one record and Robert in another.
Hob is a medieval short form of Robin and Robert. Charlotte Yonge notes that it became one of the usual country names in England, and it is now rare outside old records.
In a search, try both names. An index may list him only as Hob, while his baptism or marriage record gives Robert.
As seen in a recordEnglish parish register, 1612; the bishop's transcript gives Robert
Hob Fairbrother and Joan Ashdown were married the 12 of May 1612
How to cite this page
Daily Ancestor. "Hob." Dictionary of Old Record Words. https://dailyancestor.com/dictionary/nicknames/hob. Last checked 2026-10-15.