Surname Rübner - Meaning and Origin
all surnames with 'R'
Rübner: What does the surname Rübner mean?
The last name Rübner is an Ashkenazi Jewish surname, originating in central and eastern Europe. The name is derived from the Yiddish word rüb, meaning 'red', and is most likely a reference to the red hair of one of the original bearers of the name. Rübner was once a relatively common surname in Jewish communities in Russia, Belarus, Ukraine, and Lithuania. It was adopted by Jews who wanted to identify themselves as members of a particular family, clan, or house from those regions.
The historical use of the name likely dates back to the early 1300s, when it began to be used as an identifier for a particular family line within the Jewish communities in those areas. For instance, records from 1588 show that the well-known Rübner family lived in Krakow, in present-day Poland.
During the 16th century, many Ashkenazi Jews migrated to other parts of Europe and, eventually, to the United States. It's likely that the Rübner name—along with many other Jewish surnames—was brought to the US by Jewish immigrants from eastern and central Europe at this time. While the Rübner name is not particularly common in the US today, there are still some individuals with the name who can trace their roots back to those early European immigrants.
Order DNA origin analysisRübner: Where does the name Rübner come from?
The last name Rübner is most commonly found in Europe today. It originated in Germany and is especially prevalent in the state of Hesse, where it is the 228th most common surname. It is also relatively common in Austria, Switzerland, and Hungary, as well as other parts of Central and Eastern Europe such as the Czech Republic and Slovakia. The English equivalent of Rübner is Rubner, though it is much less common, particularly in the United Kingdom, where it ranks 48555th in 2019.
The origin of the surname Rübner is unclear, but it is hypothesized that it originated as an occupational name, since the term Rübner could either refer to a person who dealt in rubies or a person who made combs out of horn. Another theory suggests that the name may have referred to a berry grower (Ruben is German for raspberry). It is also possible that it was derived from the German term meaning "ruler."
The majority of people with the Rübner last name today still live in Europe, but a significant number have migrated to North America, Australia, and other parts of the world. As of 2017, the total population of individuals with the Rübner name in the states was estimated to be around 300.
Overall, the name Rübner remains relatively uncommon but is still widely spread throughout Europe and other parts of the world. With its potential roots in occupations, Rübner is likely to remain a constant part of European history.
Variations of the surname Rübner
The surname Rübner has several variants, spellings and surnames of the same origin. Some of the most common variants include Ruenner, Rubiner, Ruenner, Rüunner, Rübenner and Ruebner. The spelling variations are often derived through immigration of the family name to other countries.
The surname is most commonly found in Austria and Germany and is of Ashkenazi Jewish origin. It is derived from the Hebrew term rebbe which meant respected teacher or leader. It first appears in records in the 17th century and can be found in records of Jews residing in both Bavaria and Ukraine.
Rübner is also sometimes spelled Rubner, Rubnner or Rubener, which is based upon the Polish form of the name. In Russia, the name is sometimes found spelled as Rubinchik. In the United States, the spelling is commonly Americanized to become Rubenstein, Rubenstine or Rubensteiner.
The variants Rübner, Rubner, Rubnner, Rubener, Rubinchik, Rubenstein, Rubenstine, and Rubensteiner all trace back to the same root surname, Rübner. The original meaning of this surname is “respected teacher or leader”, emphasizing the reverence and admiration of rabbis and other elders in the Jewish community.
Famous people with the name Rübner
- Adi Rübner: Award-winning Israeli tennis player
- Heinz Rübner: Influential German economist
- Dov Rübner: prominent Israeli rabbi
- Yirmiyahu Rübner: Famous Israeli-American talmudic scholar
- Lotte Rübner: Notable Dutch Jewish painter
- Lippe Rübner: German Catholic priest
- Maxim Rübner: Famous German contemporary violinist
- Berthold Rübner: German Jewish surgeon and scientist
- Philipp Rübner: Famous German Jewish lawyer and banker
- Hensel Rübner: German Jewish playwright and novelist