Tibbets

Tibbets is a surname of English origin. It is derived from the Middle English personal name "Tibot," which itself is a diminutive form of Theobald, a Germanic name composed of the elements "theud" (people) and "bald" (bold, brave). Thus, the name Tibbets, and variants such as Tibbett, Tibbetts, and Tippets, ultimately carries the meaning of "bold among the people."

The surname is documented in England as early as the 13th century. Over time, variations in spelling arose due to regional dialects and scribal practices.

The surname Tibbets is most famously associated with Paul Warfield Tibbets, Jr. (1915-2007), the pilot of the Enola Gay, the B-29 Superfortress bomber that dropped the first atomic bomb on Hiroshima, Japan, during World War II. His role in this event cemented the name Tibbets in historical significance, though often in a controversial context.