Dobbin

See also: dobbin

English

From Dobb (“a medieval short form of the given name Robert”) +‎ -en; thus archaically equivalent to Bobby. Cognate with English Dobbie.

Dobbin

A surname originating as a patronymic.
A pet name given to workhorses, and by extension, a placeholder name used for any workhorse, much like John Q. Public and other such placeholders are used for people.
Early automobiles were a menace to old Dobbin
- c. 1596–1598 (date written), William Shakespeare, “The Merchant of Venice”, in Mr. William Shakespeares Comedies, Histories, & Tragedies […] (First Folio), London: […] Isaac Iaggard, and Ed[ward] Blount, published 1623, →OCLC, [Act II, scene ii], page 168:
  […] thou haſt got more haire on thy chin, then Dobbin my phillhorſe has on his taile.