Where does it come from

[clive]

Nobby Clark

[geofbob]

The only explanation I've found is that it comes from "nobby" being a slang word for stylish or showy, and the nickname arose because many Clarks added an e to their name. If this is the correct derivation Nobby should only apply to someone with the surname Clarke; but in practice it applies to both Clarks and Clarkes. Anyone got any other suggestion?

[clive]

I believed that the Clerk of a ship had his office in the knob. Therefore you would go to see knobby Clerk. Can anyone confirm.

[peteroops]

Clerks wrote for long hours with pens - this left them with lumps and bumps on their fingers where the pen rubbed. Hence their fingers were 'knobby' . . .