Surname Garber - Meaning and Origin

Uncovering the Echoes of My Past: An Emotional Journey with iGENEA and the Garber Surname

Discovering my heritage through iGENEA's DNA test redefined my understanding of my family and the deep-rooted history of the Garber surname. The profound emotional journey connected me to my ancestors, laying a bridge across time and geography.

O. Garber

Garber: What does the surname Garber mean?

The last name Garber is a German surname, derived from the German word ‘gerber’, which means tanner. Originally, the name referred to a person who was an expert in the trade of leather-working, tanning, and leather dyeing. Through the Middle Ages, this trade was essential to many economies, and anyone with this surname was likely employed as a tanners.

In modern times, the surname Garber can be found in a variety of countries, including areas which were formerly part of the German-speaking world, such as Austria, the Czech Republic, and Hungary. This surname has spread even further afield, as bearers of the name emigrated to North and South America, as well as the United Kingdom and Australia.

The name Garber carries the connotation of strength, courage, and determination as its bearers created a life for themselves in a new country. As this surname has spread, so too has its meaning and history, signifying a legacy of strength, resilience, hard work, and ambition.

Garber: Where does the name Garber come from?

The last name Garber is most commonly found in North America, particularly in the United States and Canada. It is most prevalent in the states of Pennsylvania, Ohio, New York, and California. In Pennsylvania it is ranked as the 65th most common surname. In Ohio, Garber is the 73rd most common name, while in New York it is 71st. In California it is the 231st most popular surname. Additionally, the surname spread throughout the United States thanks to immigrants from Germany who began arriving in the 1700s, with many settling in Pennsylvania. Moreover, the surname is popular in Canada, where it is the 93rd most common name. The majority of individuals with the surname Garber live in Ontario, and it is the 12th most common name in that province.

Variations of the surname Garber

The surname Garber is of German origin, and can be spelled as Garbir, Garbrecht, Garbrech, Garbere, Garberer, Garbur, and Garburgh. Variants of the surname Garber are Garbovics, Garbovitz, Garbuis, Garbum, Garbér, and Garbe.

The surname Garber is derived from the Middle High German word 'garber', meaning 'brave', and could have referred to a brave person or soldier in medieval times. The surname Garber is most common in Germany and Austria.

The origin of this family name can be found in the early versions of spelling, from Garbir to Garbrech and Garbuis. The spelling of the name could have been altered due to phonetic reasons or to differentiate the various branches of the family.

The variations of the Garber surname can be further distinguished by the use of a particular geographical origin. The surname Garbér is a French version of the German Garber, Garbrecht is the older spelling often found in the Belgium and Netherlands, and Garbum is the version of the surname often found in France.

In the United States, the spellings of Garber and Garbir are most common. This surname is found in all states throughout the country, with the highest concentrations of Garbers in the states of New York and Pennsylvania.

Other surnames

GarbersGarbert