Surname Gebelein - Meaning and Origin
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Gebelein: What does the surname Gebelein mean?
The last name Gebelein is a German surname, derived from the Old German word “Gebele.” It is speculated that the name originated from an old German word describing a type of tool, most likely a type of small axe, trowel, or knife. This suggests a possible occupational origin which, if true, would fit with the ancestral home of the family in the area of what is now the German/Polish borderlands.
More broadly, the meaning of the name Gebelein is often interpreted to mean “of the axe,” as the early homeland of the family was associated with craftsmen and tool-makers. Alternatively, the name could be derived from the word ‘Gebele’ meaning ‘divine gift.’ This interpretation suggests the name was likely bestowed as a sign of gratitude for a person’s virtues or achievements.
The Gebelein family first appeared in the records of the area in the 13th century, and the name has been used for many generations since. It has since been adopted as a popular surname in the United States and other parts of the world. Over the centuries, people with the Gebelein last name have taken part in the history of the German state, with members of the family being active in various fields, from politics to culture.
Order DNA origin analysisGebelein: Where does the name Gebelein come from?
Today, the last name Gebelein is most commonly found in the United States. It is one of the least common surnames in the United States, with only approximately 0.0015% of the population bearing the name. It is most commonly associated with several branches of the same family which came to the United States in the mid-19th century. It is believed that the name traces back to Germany, and can also be found in smaller pockets of population in Canada and Australia.
Gebelein is a relatively uncommon name, and this is likely due to the fact that very few family lines of this last name exist. One such line is the New Jersey-based Gebelein family, which is believed to have originated in Germany around the early nineteenth century.
In addition to these families, many who bear the last name Gebelein today are believed to be descendants of immigrants from Prussia. It is also possible that these families adopted the name upon arriving to the United States, as immigrants were often given American last names.
Given its low prevalence, the last name Gebelein is rarely used in popular culture today. However, it has been a prominent presence in American history, and can still be spotted in small towns and cities across the United States.
Variations of the surname Gebelein
The surname Gebelein is derived from the Old German name 'Gebel' which was a term of endearment for a child. It has many variants, spellings, and surnames of the same origin. The most common variant is Geibel which is mainly found in southern Germany and Austria. Other variants include Gebela, Gebeler, Gebelin, Gebellin, Gebelli, Gebels, Gebelmann, and Gebeen.
In America, the Gebelein surname is mainly associated with people of German heritage, while in other countries it is mainly associated with people of Jewish descent. Variants of the surname in America are Gebby, Gebauer, Gebelle, Gebell, Geblein, Gebler, Geblin, Geblyn, Gebn, Gebow, Gebough, Geeblein, Giblein, Gibelyn, Giblin, and Giblyn.
Some of the surnames derived from Gebelein are Gibble, Gibbons, Giblet, Giesebrecht, Gibelein, Gibelink, Giblin, Giblels, and Gabelin.
Finally, it is also not uncommon to find Gebelein variants spelled with the letter 'y' instead of an 'i', such as Geblyen, Giblyen, Gebyl, Gibyl, Giblyen, and Gibbyl.
Famous people with the name Gebelein
- Max Gebelein: Max Gebelein is an American film composer known for his scores in several movies such as A Star is Born, The Muppets, and the NBC television series Parenthood.
- Theodore Gebelein: Theodore Gebelein was an American book illustrator and poster artist, whose works of art include illustrations from H.G. Wells, Frank R. Stockton, and more.
- Alfred Gebelein: Alfred Gebelein was an Austrian entomologist, who was known for studying Lepidoptera, as well as the author of several works on spiders.
- Ernst Gebelein: Ernst Gebelein was a German zoologist, who studied primitive art forms and examined the effects predators have on their prey.
- Robert Gebelein: Robert Gebelein is an American filmmaker and author, most renowned for his award winning documentary on pearl farming in Tahiti, 'Pearl Divers in Paradise'.
- Albert Gebelein: Albert Gebelein was a German immunologist, who is best remembered for his work in a field of glycobiology as well as his research into the effects of the antigen-antibody complex.
- Georg Gebelein: Georg Gebelein was a midcentury German sculptor, who is particularly well-known for his sculptures of goatherds and other pastoral scenes.
- Richard Gebelein: Richard Gebelein is an American printmaker and sculptor, specializing in the use of woodcut blocks, as well as images of newborn babies.
- Robert Gebelein: Robert Gebelein is an American sculptor, currently living and working in Asheville, North Carolina.
- Karl Gebelein: Karl Gebelein was an early twentieth century German brewer, known for his diligent work in the brewery industry, which expanded Anton Gebelein's brewery business.