Where does “Hob” come from?

Hob derives from Old French Robert, a personal name that became generalized in English to denote a male figure or rustic character.

Ancestry of “Hob”, step by step

Step	Language	Word	Meaning
1	Middle English	Hob	—
2	English	robin	Any of various passerine birds of the families...
3	Middle English	Robin	—
4	Old French	Robert	—
5	Frankish	berht	bright
6	Proto-Germanic	berhtaz	bright, shining
7	Proto-Germanic	hrabnaz	raven
8	Proto-Indo-European	ḱorh₂-	—
9	Proto-Indo-European	ḱer-	to grow, to make grow, to nourish; to plait,...
10	Proto-Indo-European	kr̥-	to turn, to bend
11	Proto-Indo-European	ker-	army

Hob — Etymology, Origin & Word History | Etymology Explorer