Surname Cabot - Meaning and Origin

Cabot: What does the surname Cabot mean?

Cabot is a surname of Norman origin, derived from the personal name "Cobbo" or "Cobba." The surname may also have occupational roots, referring to individuals who breed or keep cows. In Old French, "boeuf" means "ox." Over time, the name 'Cabot' has come to be associated with adventure and exploration, mainly due to John Cabot, an Italian navigator and explorer known for his 1497 voyage to North America, where he claimed land in Canada for England. This connection provides the surname with an air of courage and discovery. In different regions and languages, the name’s spelling and pronunciation have varied, causing the creation of different versions of the name; including Cabbott, Cabott, and Cabbot, among others. Therefore, while having roots in Norman and Old French traditions, the name has been widely spread and adopted cross-culturally.

Cabot: Where does the name Cabot come from?

The surname Cabot is of French origin and is believed to have been derived from the word "caboche", meaning "head", referring to a stubborn or headstrong person. This name is often associated with the famous explorer John Cabot who was of Italian origin but sailed under the English flag.

In regard to its distribution, Cabot is found most frequently in the United States today. According to Forebears, a genealogical site compiling global surname information, there were approximately 3,676 individuals with the Cabot surname in the United States in 2014, which made it the country with the highest number of people bearing this last name. The surname is also found, though less commonly, in France, Canada, Spain, and England.

Many of the Cabots in the United States are believed to be descendants of John Cabot, the famous Venetian explorer. The Cabot family is historically significant in New England, particularly in Massachusetts, where they have been prominent figures in business, politics, and philanthropy since the 18th century.

Variations of the surname Cabot

The surname Cabot primarily originated from France and Spain. Variations include Cabott, Cabotte, Cabbot, Kabot, Cabo, Cabbo, Kabbott, and Caboote. It also appeared in England after the Norman conquest, with elements of it seen in surnames like Cabbott or Cabbert.

The surname Cabot may have also evolved into other similar names due to regional dialects and pronunciation. In Italy, for instance, it may be known as Cabotto. In Spain, potential variations include Caboté or Caboto.

In the past, the spelling of names was often not standardized, and names might be spelled differently even within the same document. As a result, a single person could be recorded under several spelling variations. Some of the different spellings of Cabot include the French Cabotte, Cabot, and Cabott, the Spanish Cabot, Caboto, and Cabote, the Italian Cabotto, and others.

Another factor contributing to the numerous variations of the same names was migration. As families moved from one region to another, they might change the spelling of their surnames to better fit in with the local language and culture. So, it is also possible that there are other variations of the Cabot surname that exist, which are not recorded here.

Famous people with the name Cabot

• Meg Cabot: An American author known best for her "Princess Diaries" series, which was adapted into successful Disney movies.
• Susan Cabot: A 1950s American film and television actress who starred in numerous films like "War of the Satellites" and "The Wasp Woman".
• Sebastian Cabot: A British actor known for his role as the butler in the American sitcom "Family Affair". He also voiced characters in Disney films like "The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh" and "The Jungle Book".
• Bruce Cabot: American film actor, best remembered as Jack Driscoll in King Kong (1933) and for his roles in films like "Last Train from Gun Hill" and "Hellfighters".
• John Cabot: An Italian explorer known for his 1497 voyage to North America.
• Thomas D. Cabot: An American businessman and former CEO of Cabot Corporation.
• Richard C. Cabot: An American physician who introduced clinical decision-making and diagnostic reasoning into medical education.
• Godfrey Lowell Cabot: An American industrialist and philanthropist who founded the Cabot Corporation.
• Eliza Cabot Lodge: Daughter of Henry Cabot Lodge Jr., U.S. Senator and U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations.
• Henry Cabot Lodge: American Republican Senator and historian from Massachusetts. A PhD in history from Harvard.
• Charlotte Cabot: English stage and television actress.

Other surnames

Cabodi