Dobby Stones

I was doing some research on Creatures of English Folklore for a fantasy short story, when I came across an entry for "Dobby: A hobgoblin belonging to Yorkshire and Lancashire." The site also mentioned a "Dobie" as a type of brownie. Indeed,the wikipedia entry on J.K. Rowling's character, Dobby, claims the brownie definition.

But one more thing, before we say Dobie, Dobby, who cares...there is also something in UK folklore called "Dobby Stones." I did some quick research on them, and they appear to be stones with holes in them. The holes hold offerings to the fairies.

In Scotland, Dobby Stones are believed to hold milk offerings to Grugach, goddess of the well-being of cattle.

I've even found Dobby (or Dobie) referenced as a "bogeyman." Fearful folk thus hung Dobby Stones over their doorways for protection from Dobbies, with or without the extra b!

No doubt Rowling intended the more friendly, garden-variety UK sprite as basis for her character.