Sobey Family History

English (Cornwall and Devon): perhaps from an unrecorded Middle English personal name Soby of uncertain origin. It could derive from the rare Old French name Sob(b)o a pet form of ancient Germanic names like Sudbald and Sudbert (composed of the elements sud- ‘south’ + -bald ‘bold’ and -bert ‘bright’).

A habitational name from a shortened form of Sobbery a Middle English form of Sodbury Gloucestershire (see Sudbury) is also formally possible but no evidence has been found that definitely links the two names.

This surname is found in Cornwall from the late 13th century.