Surname Wilbers - Meaning and Origin
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Wilbers: What does the surname Wilbers mean?
The surname Wilbers is presumably of German origin, and it could have several different meanings. One possible derivation of the name is derived from the German personal name Wilbert, which is composed of the elements wil (will, desire) and beraht (bright, famous). It could also be derived from the Middle High German words wil (will) and ber (bear), meaning “strong willed” or “will of a bear.” The surname could also be derived from a combination of the Middle High German words Wiler, meaning “soldier” or “protector,” and bero, meaning “bright or famous.”
Overall, Wilbers as a surname likely has several different meanings, all related to strength, military prowess, and fame. The earliest records of the surname in Germany date back to the 13th century, and many modern Wilbers families are said to originate from the state of Bavaria.
Today, there are Wilbers families spread throughout the world, particularly in parts of Europe, the United States, and Canada. The most famous bearer of the Wilbers surname is the German automotive engineer and businessman Klaus Wilbers. He was the founder and owner of the eponymous automotive engineering company Wilbers GmbH.
Order DNA origin analysisWilbers: Where does the name Wilbers come from?
The last name Wilbers is most common today in the Netherlands, particularly in the northern and northwestern regions of the country. While the last name was originally found in Germany, it has been present in the Netherlands since the 1500s, when many settlers with German roots chose to settle there. Today, there are thousands of people with the last name Wilbers living in the Netherlands. According to a 2020 census, the name Wilbers ranks among the top 400 most common last names in the nation, with 1,387 people carrying the name.
Outside of the Netherlands, Wilbers is less common but still found in many regions of the world. It is particularly present in countries which were previously part of the Dutch Empire, such as Indonesia and Suriname. There are also pockets of Wilbers families in Switzerland, Austria, and throughout western Europe. In the United States, Wilbers is most common in Texas and Arkansas, where many Dutch settlers moved to during the 19th and 20th centuries.
Overall, Wilbers is a relatively rare last name, but still found in areas which have had a strong history of Dutch immigration. While it can be found in many countries, the Netherlands remains its homeland.
Variations of the surname Wilbers
The surname Wilbers can be spelled Wilbur, Wilburs, Wilburr, Wilburrs, Wilburn, Wilburns, Wilbourn, Wilbourns, Wilbourne, Wilbournes, Wilberger, Wilbergers, Wilber, Wilbers, and Willbur.
Wilbers is a German surname. Historical records show that the earliest known bearers of the surname were the Wilbers family of Nordrhein-Westfalen, Germany in the early 13th century. Throughout the centuries, the surname has been common in many parts of Germany, particularly in the Rhineland.
The various spellings of the name are likely the result of dialectical differences in pronunciation and early scribes attempting to document the spoken name. For example, Wilbur and Wilburn are likely derived from the Middle German words “wil” (will) and “ber” (bear), while Wilbourn and Willbur are likely derived from “wil” (will) and “bürge” (fortress) or “bur” (small town). Wilberger is likely derived from “wil” and “berg” (mountain), while Wilburs is likely derived from “wil” (will) and “burs” (trees).
Surnames that are derived from or are variations of the Wilbers surname include Wilbury, Wilbry, Wilby, Wilbey, Wilba, Wilbea, Wilbaer and Wilbin. In some cases, these surnames originated as a patronymic, a surname based on the name of the father. In other cases, they were derived from place names, such as Wilborne, Wilborns, Wilbo, and Wilbos. In some cases, these surnames were derived from the given name Wilbur, such as Wilburr, Wilburs, Wilbousand Wilbourn.
The Wilbers surname has spread across much of Europe and beyond in the centuries since it first appeared in Germany. In New York, the earliest known bearer of the surname was Johann Wilber, who emigrated there from the German city of Metz in the early 19th century. In South Africa, the Wilbers name first appeared in the 1850s in Johannesburg and Cape Town.
Famous people with the name Wilbers
- Nick Wilbers: Professional golfer from the United States.
- Rudy Wilbers: Belgian footballer, who last played as a full back for Belgian side Gent.
- Jeroen Wilbers: Dutch footballer, who last played as a goalkeeper for Dutch club SBV Excelsior.
- Arik Wilbers: Dutch footballer, who currently plays as a forward for Dutch side FC Groningen.
- Jody Wilbers: American figure skater, who competed for the United States in the 2014 Winter Olympics.
- Trudy Wilbers: American author, who's best known for her children's book series 'The Excellent Adventures of Bifflora'.
- Jackson Wilbers: English musician, who was the lead singer of the English rock band 'The Rivers'.
- Menno Wilbers: Dutch filmmaker, who's best known for his 2012 Dutch suspence drama 'The Crooked Line'.
- Bart Wilbers: Dutch politician, who was the mayor of the Dutch town of Aalten from 1991 to 2002.
- Kenny Wilbers: American actor, who starred in the 1999 romantic comedy 'Home Fries'.