Robert Albritton

(male) One of the many French names of Germanic origin that were introduced into Britain by the Normans; it has since remained in continuous use. It is derived from the nearly synonymous elements hrōd ‘fame’ + berht ‘bright, famous’, and had a native Old English predecessor of similar form (Hreodbeorht), which was supplanted by the Norman name. Two dukes of Normandy in the 11th century bore the name: the father of William the Conqueror (sometimes identified with the legendary Robert the Devil), and his eldest son. It was borne also by three kings of Scotland, notably Robert the Bruce (1274–1329), who freed Scotland from English domination. The altered short form Bob is very common, but Hob and Dob, which were common in the Middle Ages and gave rise to surnames, are extinct. See also Rupert.

Variant of English Al(l)brighton, a habitational name from either of two places in Shropshire called Albrighton. The place near Shifnal (Albricstone in Domesday Book) was named with the Old English personal name Æðelbeorh + tūn ‘settlement’. The one near Shrewsbury appears in Domesday Book as Etbritone and was named in Old English as ‘Ẹadbeorht's settlement’. Albright Hussey in Shropshire is in the parish of Albrighton (having been part of the same manor) and was also formerly known as Albrighton; this too may be a source of the surname.