Prior to 1800, the spelling of names was rather loose. Most people could not read or write and therefore the spelling of their name was of no relevance to them. I have come across the alternative spellings of Robbyson, Robison, Robisson, Robson, Robeson, Robason, Robsen and Robssinge. Indeed, different derivatives of the surname are often to be found for the same person.
The surname Robinson is a patronymic, i.e. it is derived by giving a person the name of his father - Robinson = son of Robin. This practice was prevalent among the Vikings, though its use in England actually predated Viking times. Robin itself is a diminutive form of the name Robert, which was a particularly popular name in Normandy and England in medieval times. Robert is a French name derived from the Old German Rodbert, which is itself derived from hroth meaning fame and berht meaning bright. Use of the name Robert therefore evidently expresses the parents' desire for the child to have a "fame-bright" future. The name Robert became popular in England quickly after the Norman Conquest. It is interesting to note that there has been no English king bearing the name, though there have been several such kings in Scotland, notably Robert the Bruce.
The earliest record of the name Robinson is that of a John Robynson listed in the Court Rolls of the Manor of Wakefield for 1324.
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