Explore the Family Name Sobey
The meaning of Sobey
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.
Dictionary of American Family Names, 2nd edition, © Oxford University Press, 2022.
How common is the last name Sobey in the United States?
Based on the Decennial U.S. Census data, the popularity of the surname Sobey has seen a slight decrease between 2000 and 2010. In 2000, Sobey was ranked 53,299th most popular surname, but by 2010 it dropped to 57,372nd, showing a decline of 7.64 percent. The number of people with this surname also decreased from 364 in 2000 to 355 in 2010. This represents a reduction of 2.47 percent. Even the proportion per 100,000 people dwindled from 0.13 to 0.12, marking a drop of 7.69 percent.
| 2000 | 2010 | Change | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rank | #53,299 | #57,372 | -7.64% |
| Count | 364 | 355 | -2.47% |
| Proportion per 100k | 0.13 | 0.12 | -7.69% |
Race and Ethnicity of people with the last name Sobey
In terms of ethnicity, the Decennial U.S. Census reveals that the majority of individuals with the surname Sobey identify as White. In 2000, 96.70 percent identified as White, but this percentage slightly decreased to 94.93 percent in 2010, signifying a change of -1.83 percent. Additionally, the percentage of those identifying as Hispanic more than doubled, increasing from 2.20 percent in 2000 to 4.23 percent in 2010. There were no recorded instances of the surname among Asian/Pacific Islanders, those of two or more races, Blacks, or American Indians and Alaskan Natives during either census year.
| 2000 | 2010 | Change | |
|---|---|---|---|
| White | 96.7% | 94.93% | -1.83% |
| Hispanic | 2.2% | 4.23% | 92.27% |
| Asian/Pacific Islander | 0% | 0% | 0% |
| Two or More Races | 0% | 0% | 0% |
| Black | 0% | 0% | 0% |
| American Indian and Alaskan Native | 0% | 0% | 0% |