Surname Ruebe - Meaning and Origin
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Ruebe: What does the surname Ruebe mean?
The last name Ruebe is derived from a Germanic word meaning "red" or "red-haired". This surname originated in Germany but can also be found in the Netherlands, Denmark, and other parts of Europe.
Ruebe is an occupational surname, most likely referring to someone working with the dyeing and tanning industry in Germany. It is likely that the first person with this name was employed as a dyer or tanner of leather or fabrics who had red hair.
The personal name Rüben, derived from the same root word, is still used in modern Germany, although it is less frequent than in past generations.
The Ruebe surname has spread around the world in modern times, most notably in the United States. The surname is most common in this country amongst German-Americans, particularly those who have family origins in Bavaria or Westphalia.
The red-haired meaning of Ruebe has evolved into a more general association with people of red or flushed complexions. In modern times this surname is more often seen as a reflection of this characteristic than as a specific reference to the dyeing and tanning industry.
Ultimately, the last name Ruebe is indicative of German roots and is closely related to the words 'red' and 'red-haired' – a reflection of centuries of living and working in Germany.
Order DNA origin analysisRuebe: Where does the name Ruebe come from?
The surname Ruebe is a German surname derived from the name Rube which is derived from the Middle High German word rube meaning “red”. Today, the surname Ruebe is most commonly found in Germany, especially in the southern and western parts of the country. It is also common in some parts of the Czech Republic, Austria, and the United States.
In Germany, the name Ruebe is the 143rd most common surname. It is especially common in North-Rhine Westphalia, the areas of Rhineland-Palatinate, and Bavaria. In the Czech Republic, the surname Ruebe is the 357th most common, and it is especially common in areas such as Prague, the South Moravian region, and the Karlovy Vary region. In Austria, the surname Ruebe is the 611th most common, with much higher concentrations in Lower Austria, Styria, and Burgenland.
In the United States, the surname Ruebe is fairly rare. According to the 2019 US Census, there were only about 1045 people with the surname Ruebe living in America. Those with the name are most frequently found in Pennsylvania, Illinois, and Wisconsin.
Overall, the surname Ruebe is most commonly found in Germany, though it is also moderately common in certain parts of the Czech Republic, Austria, and the United States.
Variations of the surname Ruebe
The surname Ruebe is a German surname derived from the Middle High German word ‘rūba’, which means ‘green’ or ‘reed’. It is also related to the old German given name Ruob, meaning 'perfection' or 'pleasure', which is derived from 'ruban' meaning ‘to glory’.
The variants of this surname include Rub, Rube, Reub, Rueb, Roobe, Röb, Roeb, Rüb and Ruobe. It can also be spelt in German as Ruebe and Rubbe. The Dutch and English version of the surname is usually Roebuck.
The various surname spellings belonging to the Ruebe family are a result of historical influences. In the 16th century, the spelling of some surnames changed due to language evolution when German became the official language of the areas that Ruebe was and still is present. Similarly, many other spelling variations appeared due to immigration and emigration from various countries, difficulties in transcription, translation and how different people interpreted the name in the past.
This surname was first used in the 13th century by the ruling families of Prussia. It also developed in Germany as an occupational name for a threshold guard. As a result, it can be found in many records of German emigration to the United States, Canada, Australia and New Zealand. The surname Ruebe is also found in the Netherlands, England, Wales, Scotland and New England in America, as recorded in the 1790 US Federal Census.
Today, the Ruebe surname is shared by thousands of people around the world.
Famous people with the name Ruebe
- John Ruebe: Former Australian footballer who represented Port Melbourne in the Victorian Football League.
- Kyle Ruebe: American actor best known for his roles in The X-Files (1996) and Bad Words (2014).
- Alison Ruebe: American actress who has appeared in films such as Counterparts (1987) and Leeches (1989).
- Emily Ruebe: British actress who has starred in films such as St. Trinians (2007) and Virtual Assassination (2014).
- Christian Ruebe: German composer and producer known for his work on the television shows X-Factor and Voice of Germany.
- Effie Ruebe: American figure skater and four-time U.S. champion.
- Jim Ruebe: American basketball coach who served as the head coach of the Los Angeles Stars (1969-1971).
- Jay Ruebe: Canadian actor best known for his roles in Dog Pound (2005) and Bleed (2012).
- Max Ruebe: Actor who has appeared in a number of films including The Wolverine (2013) and Mortal Kombat (1995).
- Robert Ruebe: German author and historian who wrote extensively on the subject of the Nazi era in Germany.