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.