Robert Ibbetson (4 May 1789 – 4 November 1880) was a colonial governor of the Straits Settlements of Penang, Malacca, and Singapore from 1832 to 1834.

By the time from 3 February 1825, he was Provisional Member of Council for the Straits Settlements in Malacca.

In 1826 he was Fourth in Council and Resident Councillor at Malacca, Ibbetson had been Resident Councillor at Penang from 1826, In 1827 his responsibilities expanded to include Suptd of Landed Tenures, Collector of Quit Rents, and Civil & Marine Warehouse Keeper.

The issue of 29 August 1829 carries the following notification: The Honorable the Governor, being about to proceed to Singapore and Malacca, NOTICE is hereby given that this station will cease to be the seat of Government from the date of his departure, and the charge of the settlement will devolve upon the Honorable Robert Ibbetson, Resident Councillor; to whom all local references will be made.

that at that time Government business there was performed in a slovenly manner, with property registration being as impenetrable as the jungle which surrounded many properties, and with Government accounts being very casually audited.

There are several records of him during the 1860s, dining with the then Lieutenant Governor of Penang, Major-General Archibald Edward Harbord Anson.