Nobby.

[zabado]

Why are some people with the surname Clark called "Nobby" Clark ?.

[Mozz71]

A quick google search - "A number of possible explanations exist for the use of Nobby as a nickname for people with the surname Clark. These include: Clerks in the City of London used to wear Nobby hats, a type of bowler hat. Alternative spellings include "Knobby" and "Clarke". 16th century monks wrote letters for the illiterate"

[Mamyalynne]

I like this article it even weaves in Captain Cook and rhyming slang.

https://www.newcastleherald.com.au/story/6113634/whats-behind-the-nobbys-name/

[ToraToraTora]

I always thought it was referring to Clerks in the city who wrote with quill pens and developed large knobbly callouses.

[grumpy01]

I believe it was because Clerks were assumed to be members of the nobility.

[douglas9401]

Or people called Clark tend to be knobs.

[grumpy01]

Got out of bed the wrong side Douglas?