Tolbert:    French and English (of Norman origin): from a Continental Germanic personal name composed of a first element of uncertain meaning + berht ‘bright’, ‘famous’.

Genelogical searches showed most Tolbert's are from England and Ireland ( not a very Irish name).  However, The name is considered English, and most historical searches show the sir name Tolbert to be likely from Talbert, which is a common British last name. A visit to Ellis Island revealed that it was common for the person receiving the immigrant to mis-spell a name, based on how they heard the person speak.  Interesting facts about the Tolbert name: Most people with our last name were farmers until the 1900's. Most Civil War soldiers with the last name Tolbert fought for the Confederates, although it was only a 60/40 split.   And, most Tolbert's settled in the southeast, east and northeast of the United States. There are no wealthy Tolberts as of note. However, if you know a wealthy Tolbert, please let them know that they have an open invitation to our reunions.