Surname Engbers - Meaning and Origin
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Engbers: What does the surname Engbers mean?
The last name Engbers is of Dutch origin and has a meaning that references a person living by an area near water or a stream. The name likely derives from the Dutch words 'ing' and 'berch', which when combined refer to a low-lying bank of a stream. Primarily found in the Netherlands and Germany, the Engbers surname is said to have first appeared in the Netherlands in the early 1600s, when it became an accepted surname for those with the occupation of a fisherman.
The name Engbers is said to have first been used as a hereditary surname late in the 18th century when surnames used by children often coincided with the occupation of the father. As such, it is believed that men bearing the Engbers surname were likely the son or husband of someone who worked in close proximity to or along a river, in wetlands, a marsh or some other form of body of water. It is likely that a large portion of bearers of the Engbers surname were employed in the fishing industry for generations.
In the Netherlands, Engbers is most commonly found in the northernmost part of the country where Dutch is spoken. The region known as Friesland is most commonly associated with the Engbers name and where it is believed to have originated. Although there was no war-generated diaspora, some records indicate those bearing the Engbers name immigrated to North America in the early 20th century. Today the surname is distributed throughout the Netherlands, the US, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Argentina, and South Africa.
Order DNA origin analysisEngbers: Where does the name Engbers come from?
The last name Engbers is most commonly found in the Netherlands, particularly in the provinces of Gelderland and Overijssel. In the 21st century, parts of the Netherlands still feature a tradition of adopting last names derived from place names, and Engbers has its origin in one such place. It is derived from a combination of the words “Eng”, which means “Meadow” in Old Dutch, and “bers”, which can be translated to “supporter” – implying a lush, leafy landscape. This tradition has given the Netherlands multiple variations of the last name, such as Engberson, Engbres, Engbersen, and Engbersma, with variations of the name being found in other parts of Europe as well.
Although Engbers is still prevalent in the Netherlands, it has also seen a degree of migration, with folks from the Netherlands bearing the name settling in other parts of the world. The United States and Canada, in particular, have seen large waves of Dutch immigration due to tensions in the Netherlands from World War II, leading to a large Dutch-American and Dutch-Canadian population. As such, an Engbers can be found from coast to coast in both countries, and may even be found in other parts of the world as well.
Variations of the surname Engbers
The Engbers surname has several variants, spellings, and surnames of the same origin. The most common variant is Enbergs. Other variants include Engberts, Engelberts, Engelbarts, and Engborts.
Enbergs is derived from the German term for the word for one’s house, 'Haus', and is derived from the root of the German word 'Helm', meaning helmet. This surname can be found in countries with German culture, including United States, Canada, Australia, and South Africa.
Engberts is derived from the Old German word 'berg', which means hill or mountain. This variant usually comes from Engbertsen, and is found in the Netherlands and Germany. It is often associated with those who lived on hills or mountains, and those with a lot of wealth typically adopted this version of the surname.
Engelberts is based on the German word with two meanings: Angel, meaning messenger of God, and bert meaning famous, or one who stands out in a crowd. It was most likely derived from two separate words, ‘angel’ and ‘berth’.
Engelbarts is derived from the Old German 'Engel-bards', meaning 'guardian bards'. This variant can be found in Belgium, Switzerland, and France, and typically refers to someone who was an entertainer, singer or a storyteller.
Finally, Engborts is derived from the Old German word 'bort', meaning an enclosed area, such as a courtyard. This variant can be found in Germany, Netherlands, and Belgium, and usually refers to people who lived around a courtyard and were of the upper class.
Overall, the Engbers surname has many variants, spellings, and similar surnames due to its German origin. Furthermore, the variants all have their origin in German words and are most often found in countries with German culture.
Famous people with the name Engbers
- Riley Engbers: Professional downhill mountain biking racer
- Aaron Engbers: US pilot currently serving in the Air Force
- Rob Engbers: Former professional football player for the Chicago Bears
- Jeff Engbers: American country singer-songwriter and guitarist
- Dave Engbers: Co-founder of the Michigan-based brewery, Founders
- Alan Engbers: Former mayor of Grand Rapids, Michigan
- Rudy Engbers: Professional Dutch footballer
- Kenneth Engbers: Retired Major General from the US State of Michigan
- Jennifer Engbers: Executive Director of the Mediation Institute
- Jean Engbers: Dutch politician, member of the Labour Party