Robinette
A surname that likely began as a French diminutive of Robin, meaning “little Robin” or “son of Robin.”
The #4,045 most common surname in the United States (2010 Census) — about 1 in every 35,149 Americans shares it.
Etymology
Robinette is best understood as a diminutive or affectionate form of Robin, a medieval pet form of Robert. In French, the suffix -ette can make a name sound smaller or more endearing, so the surname would originally have suggested “little Robin” or a descendant of someone called Robin. The deeper root behind Robin is Germanic Robert, meaning “bright fame.”
History
The name is found in English-language records and is especially familiar in North America. The cited source does not give a full origin note, but it groups Robinette with surnames formed from personal names, which fits the usual patronymic pattern. As with many surnames in -ette, spelling may reflect French influence or later Anglicized usage.
Origin
Regions
Variant spellings
Fun fact
Robinette is one of several surnames built from the same name family as Robin, Robert, Robbins, and Robinson.
From the historical record
“114 American Surnames. Robinette, - Theodore, Oscar, - Bennie, Beeny, Bengie, Guidy (Guy), Guisy, Charlie, Cholley, Curtie, Lukey, Pauley, Petey, Petee, Timmy, Jimmy, Jamey, Jeamie, Tommy, Tammy, Dickie, - Jimsey, Timsey, Johnsey, Tomsey, Dick- sey, - Eddie, Neddie, Freddie, Theo, Teddy, Toby, Danny, Jackey, Jakey…”
— A Grammar of American Surnames