Surname Riebel - Meaning and Origin
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Riebel: What does the surname Riebel mean?
The last name Riebel (or Riebeling) is a surname of German origin. It is derived from the German root word 'Riebe', which means 'a branch or twig', and is thought to have been a nickname for a twig-gatherer, or someone who works in forestry. Alternatively, the name might have been an occupational name for someone who made or sold wooden items.
The first recorded instance of the surname was found in the East Prussian city of Marienwerder in the year 1349. In the 1400s, the surname was also found in the cities of Lübeck, Teterow and in Quedlinburg.
The Riebel/Riebeling surname has spread over the centuries, and is now found in various parts of the world. It is common in Germany, Austria, Switzerland, the Netherlands, and the United States. It is also used in some parts of Asia, Africa and South America.
There is some variation in the spelling of the name, with some using Riebel, Riebell, Riebling, Riebels, Riebelle, etc., but these are all forms of the same name.
The name Riebel is still popular today, with the variation of Riebeling becoming less common as the years go by. In modern times, the surname is widely used and is a reminder of Germany’s rich history and culture.
Order DNA origin analysisRiebel: Where does the name Riebel come from?
The surname Riebel is most commonly found in Germany today. It is believed to be of German origin. It is a variant of the name Reibel, which is derived from the German phrase “riebelein,” meaning “little reeve.” A reeve was a type of mayor and judge in medieval Europe. In Germany, the Riebel surname is found mainly in the south of the country, in regions such as Bavaria, Baden-Wuerttemberg, and Hesse.
Interestingly, the hereditary last name of the Riebel family is found worldwide. A great deal of emigration occurred from Germany to the United States in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, and the Riebel surname is found in many of the states that were originally settled by German immigrants. This includes Pennsylvania, Ohio, Wisconsin, and Michigan. Additionally, the name Riebel appears throughout Canada—mainly in western Canada, such as Alberta, Saskatchewan, and British Columbia—as well as in other parts of the United States, like New York and California.
Beyond Germany and North America, the name Riebel is found in other English-speaking countries, such as Australia and New Zealand, as well as in Czech Republic, Croatia, France, Italy, and Austria.
In the end, the last name Riebel is known throughout the world, but it is particularly common among German descendants.
Variations of the surname Riebel
The surname Riebel has many variants, spellings, and surnames with the same origin. These variants can be traced back to the Germanic language that is most commonly spoken in Northern Europe.
The most common spellings and variants of the surname Riebel are Reibel, Reubel, Rebbel, Reibbel, and Re trusting. The variant Robel is derived from a shortening of the original Germanic term, which is Reuble, meaning “rich in battle”. In Germany, variants Ruhebel and Rybel are also seen.
In countries outside of Germany, immigrants have adapted the spelling Reibell. Some variants include Reabell, Reibele, Reebel, and Reebell. There have also been some cases where the surname has been adapted to become Rhiebel.
Other surnames of Germanic origin that share a common root are Riebelshoff and Riebelier. Riebelshoff is an area in North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany and its name may have been derived from Riebel family members who settled in the area.
Riebelier is a separate surname and is found in the Luxembourg region in western Europe. It is derived from a French variant, “Rieble”, and its etymology could trace back to Ancient Germanic “Ribe” meaning “powerful”, “rich” or “well-armed”.
Ingedeutschen and Ruibele are the two other surnames of Germanic origin that may have a connection to the surname Riebel. Ingedeutschen is derived from the two Protoromance words, ingin which means “ascend” and Deutschen which means “the people”. Ruibele is rooted in Ancient Germanic “Rube”, meaning “rich and powerful”.
In conclusion, the surname Riebel has many spellings, variants and related surnames of similar origin. These variations have come about over time due to language use, immigration, and regional dialects.
Famous people with the name Riebel
- Josh Riebel: An American figure skater who was the 1998 Junior World Champion in the Men's Single division.
- Marcus Riebel: A German musician, producer and composer, best known for his solo project "Marc Riebel"
- Jürgen Riebel: A German actor best known for his roles in musicals and film.
- Barbara Riebel: An award-winning Australian contemporary artist.
- Carsten Riebel: A German football player, currently playing for the German Football League club Eintracht Braunschweig.
- Rainer Riebel: A famous German sommelier and winemaker.
- Dave Riebel: An American animator, director, writer, and storyboard artist.
- Günther Riebel: A German actor, best known for his role in "Zorn der Engel".
- Theodor Riebel: A German politician and member of the Free Democratic Party from Baden-Württemberg.
- Kurt Riebel: A German historian and professor at the University of Tübingen.