Surname Scribner - Meaning and Origin

Unraveling the Historical Journey: Scribner's DNA Story through iGENEA Test

The iGENEA DNA test provided a fascinating delve into the origins and history of my surname, Scribner. Tracing back to England, it shaped over centuries around the occupation of being a scribe. The journey of my ancestors from the British Isles to America, the Germanic influences and, the geographic distributions of the Scribner make up intriguing elements of my DNA test revelations.

U. Scribner

Scribner: What does the surname Scribner mean?

The surname Scribner is of ancient English origin and is derived from the Old English word "scrifan," which means to write or scribble. It was commonly given to someone who held the occupation of a scribe or clerk, who in the Middle Ages, were responsible for keeping records and writing documents, a much-valued work in a largely illiterate society. This type of occupational surname was often passed down to the generations. Therefore, a person with the Scribner surname could suggest that their ancestors might have been writers or clerks. It underlines the depiction of an inherited or familial occupation. Over time, variations of the surname have emerged, such as Scriven, Scrivener, and Scrivenor.

Scribner: Where does the name Scribner come from?

The last name Scribner is most commonly found living in the United States. According to the US Census Bureau, as of 2018 there were a total of 2,054 individuals bearing the last name Scribner across the country. The states with the highest population of the Scribner surname are California, Pennsylvania, Michigan, Virginia, and New York, although individuals with this surname can be found living in all fifty states.

The Scribner surname originated in the United Kingdom, claiming roots traceable back to the Middle Ages. It is derived from the Anglo-Norman named de Scriber, which is derived from the hipocoristic OScrib, or ‘ son of Scriptor’. The name Scriptor comes from a Latin word meaning ‘scribe’ or one who works as a copyist, a person employed to copy texts and documents. Due to migration and immigration, the Scribner surname can also be found among other countries in Europe, Latin and South America, with countries like The United Kingdom, Germany, and Canada having similar populations bearing the last name.

The surname Scribner has gained some notoriety over the years, as a highly respected family of publishers and authors. Simon and Schuster, Inc. is a major publisher operating in the US, and was co-founded by Richard L. Simon and Maxwell M. Schuster in 1924. Schuster received his start in the publishing industry as an employee of Charles Scribner’s Sons, giving his own surname to the partnership. Also related to the family of Scribner’s is author Charles Scribner III, grandson of the Charles Scribner Sr., founder of the Charles Scribner’s Sons publishing company.

The Scribner surname has a long and rich history, dating all the way back to the Middle Ages. Today, the last name is most commonly living in the United States, but can also be found throughout Europe, Latin and South America, and in other parts of the world. Notable members of the Scribner family include a major publishing company, and esteemed authors.

Variations of the surname Scribner

Scribner is an English surname with a range of alternate spellings and variants. These include:

Scriber/Scrybber/Scrybbe/Scribbeard/Scribbere/Screbbere/Skrybber/Scribener/Skrybner/Scribnor/Skrykner/Scribenor/Skrycher/Skrybacher.

Scriber is likely derived from the Old English ‘scriban’, meaning ‘secretary’ or ‘scribe’.

The surname likely came into use as a descriptive nickname for a person who spent much of their time writing or transcribing documents.

Originally, the surname may have also been used to refer to a person in a position of authority or a scribe for a church or monastery.

Scriber likely made its way to England during the Norman Invasion of 1066. Over time, it evolved into the various spellings and variants of the modern surname.

Today, Scribner is a very common surname. It is especially common in the United States, where it is the 251st most common surname, according to records from the United States Census Bureau. It can also be found throughout the British Isles and in parts of Europe.

The name often surfaces today in those with an affinity for literature, as Ernest Hemingway and Bob Dylan both had the Scribner surname.

Famous people with the name Scribner

• Charles Scribner III: Charles Scribner III was an American publishing executive, book editor, author, and philanthropist. He was the grandson of Charles Scribner, founder of Charles Scribner's Sons publishing house, and the eldest son of Charles Scribner Jr.
• Arthur H. Scribner: Arthur H. Scribner was an American publisher and publisher for Charles Scribner's Sons. He was the son of Charles Scribner Jr. and the great-grandson of Charles Scribner.
• Charles Scribner Jr.: Charles Scribner Jr. was an American publishing executive and philanthropist. He was the eldest son of Charles Scribner, founder of Charles Scribner's Sons, and was president of the publishing house from 1945 until 1948.
• Arthur Irving Scribner: Arthur Irving Scribner was an American publisher and author. He was the younger brother of Charles Scribner Jr. and the great-grandson of Charles Scribner.
• Leonard Scribner: Leonard Scribner was an American author and editor, best known for his work as managing editor of The New York Times Magazine from 1940 to 1961. He was the nephew of Arthur H. Scribner and great-grandson of Charles Scribner.
• Charles Scribner III: Charles Scribner III was an American publisher and author. He was the son of Charles Scribner Jr. and the great-great-grandson of Charles Scribner.
• Charles Scribner IV: Charles Scribner IV was an American publisher and author. He was the son of Charles Scribner III and great-great-great-grandson of Charles Scribner.

Other surnames

Scribnor