Surname Combes - Meaning and Origin
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Combes: What does the surname Combes mean?
The surname Combes is of French origin, derived from the Middle English given name ‘Comb’, and is believed to have first appeared in England during the 12th century. A possible explanation for its arrival is that the surname was brought to England by French-Norman settlers after the Norman Conquest of 1066. The variants of Combes include Coombs, Coombe, and Comb.
The surname is most commonly found in regions of Normandy, Picardy, Auvergne, and western Germany, but it is also present in countries such as Canada, the United States, and Australia.
The literal meaning of Combes is 'hollows', and the surname is most likely derived from the place name Combe, referring to a hillside valley. In the medieval period, Combes found in the western and north-western parts of France were often large and deep valleys.
It is believed that those bearing the Combes surname over the centuries were related to the small number of families that lived in the particular valley or in the surrounding areas. Additionally, research has suggested that those with the Combes surname might have derived from the occupational name ‘Comber’, meaning a maker of twisted woolen items such as combs. This highlights the possibility that the surname could have been an occupational one.
Overall, the Combes surname may have originated from multiple sources, and possible meanings could stem from a place name, French personal name, or from an occupational trade.
Order DNA origin analysisCombes: Where does the name Combes come from?
The surname Combes is most commonly found in France, particularly in the Pays de la Loire and Occitanie regions. It is considered to be a French habitation name, referring to someone hailing from the French commune of Combes, which is located near the Pyrenées in Occitanie. This commune is recorded in the archives of 1292.
Beyond France, the surname can be found in other parts of Europe, including Italy, the United Kingdom, and Portugal, as well as in parts of the United States, particularly in California and Texas.
It is unclear exactly when the Combes surname first emigrated to North America; however, there are a few early references of family members who moved from the French commune to Canada and the United States as early as the 18th century.
Citizens with the surname Combes are also found in other countries such as Australia, Argentina, and India. While the frequency is low, the family name is often found in the records of local historical societies and genealogical Forums.
Overall, today the surname Combes is most commonly found in France, although its global spread is more widespread than it once was. With the assistance of the internet, those interested in learning more about their family history may be able to trace their ancestry farther back than before.
Variations of the surname Combes
Combes is a surname of French origin and has many variants, spellings, and surnames of similar origin. Some of these variations include Combès, Combis, Combesse, Combeau, Combée, and Combais.
The Combes surname is believed to have originated from the Latin word campus, meaning a field. It was likely used as an occupational name to refer to a farm owner or farmer. It is also possible that it is of Germanic origin, derived from the words “Komb” meaning union, or “Kum” meaning cheater.
Combes has many spellings and some of these include Combès, Combis, Combeau, Combée, Combais, and Combisse. Combès usually implies a southern origin, as it is the most common spelling variant in southern France. Combis, Combeau, Combée, Combais, and Combisse, are all slightly different versions of the surname Combes, with different spellings being used in documented records to denote either the same name or a similar sounding one.
There are also several surnames of similar origin to Combes, such as Combaz, Comboma, Combet, Combou, Comby, and Combier. Combaz is a surname derived from the Latin words cambere and camde, meaning to bend, suggesting a bending of an area of land. Comboma may have originated from the Germanic words comb and mar, referring to a boundary maker; Combet and Combou both are derived from the Latin words cambe and potare meaning to flourish; Comby is likely derived from the Germanic word comb meaning company; and Combier is derived from the Latin word cambeare meaning to bend or flex.
Famous people with the name Combes
- Rob Combes:Rob Combes is the president and CEO of General Atomics, a company that specializes in defense systems, aerospace systems, and unmanned aerial vehicles.
- Rachel Combes: Rachel Combes is a British singer/songwriter that has enjoyed success in the UK and European music charts.
- Claude Combes: Claude Combes is a French former footballer who won two league titles and a European Cup with Marseille.
- Pete Combes: Pete Combes is a British ski and snowboard instructor who is part of the British Ski and Snowboard Federation's coaching team.
- Jason Combes: Jason Combes is a Canadian voice actor who has provided voices for video games, animated films, and television shows.
- Brad Combes: Brad Combes is an American actor who has appeared in TV series such as The Blacklist, Supernatural, and Law & Order: SVU.
- Paul Combes: Paul Combes is an English photographer who has won numerous awards for his documentary photography and film.
- Adrian Combes: Adrian Combes is a French sculptor who has exhibited his work in Europe, Australia, and the USA.
- Joe Combes: Joe Combes is a British Paralympic athlete who won a gold medal at the Beijing 2008 Paralympic Games.
- Donald Combes: Donald Combes was a Canadian businessman who founded Combes, Webster & Company Investment Brokers in Montreal in 1888.