I have always heard them referred to as brackets.

Architectural brackets

They are usually on houses from the 20's and 30's around here. They support the barge or fly rafter and the roof overhang.

I would disagree that they have no purpose. Many houses here have sagging overhangs where the brackets have pulled away from the walls. Unless the overhang is less than 16 inches or so, they are needed to support the roof.

when all else fails,

"exterior wood components"

The corbels on my house are only attached to the 1x8's under the stucco and lath. That makes them hard to replace.
Here they are pigeon roosts.

I always called them "lookouts". From wickepedia:
In architecture a corbel (or console) is a piece of stone jutting out of a wall to carry any superincumbent weight. A piece of timber projecting in the same way was called a "tassel" or a "bragger".
I thought a corbel was at the top of a column.

Hi, all &

Have to agree with Lou...

Them's "brackets" -as I've always know 'em !

Corbels usually retained for interior fancy bits...



CHEERS !

Glenn Duxbury, CHI - License #47730

I agree with Glenn; "Conice Brackets" Refer; Construction Glossary and Repeating Cornice/Frieze Brackets - Interior and Exterior in Wood and PVC for Porch, Doorway, etc - from Vintage Woodworks and Cornice Bracket

From Jerry's Construction Glossary: Lookout- A short wood bracket or cantilever that supports an overhang portion of a roof.