Surname Gebs - Meaning and Origin
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Gebs: What does the surname Gebs mean?
The last name Gebs is an occupational surname of German origin. It is derived from the German word “geb,” which translates to “smith” or “metalworker.” Therefore, people bearing the Gebs surname likely had an ancestor who was a blacksmith or metalworker.
The Gebs surname is thought to be derived from the area of Saxony, Germany. This area was historically known for producing metal products and weapons. The surname may have originated as Gebsmith or Geboman, referring to a metalworker who lived in the area.
It is also possible that the surname Gebs originated from the Old High German word “geba,” which translates to “honorable” or “noble.” In this case, people with the Gebs surname likely had an ancestor who was a nobleman or well-respected figure in the community.
The Gebs surname is found in Germany, Austria, and other parts of Europe. It also has spread to many other parts of the world, including the United States, Canada, Australia, and South Africa.
Overall, the Gebs surname is believed to have originated from either a metalworker or a nobleman. It is a fairly common surname in many European countries, as well as a few other parts of the world.
Order DNA origin analysisGebs: Where does the name Gebs come from?
The surname Gebs is not particularly common today, but it does have German, Polish, and Dutch origins. It appears to be an occupational surname derived from the word "gebise," meaning "knife grinder" and suggests the patriarch of the family had that job.
In Germany, the name "Gebs" is mainly found in the western part of the country, in states like Nordrhein-Westfalen, Bayern, and Hessen. The name is especially popular around the city of Cologne and its surrounding areas. In Poland, the surname has been mainly found around the cities of Słupsk, Świnoujscie, and Lębork, while in the Netherlands it is most common in Noord-Brabant and Zeeland provinces.
The majority of living Gebs, however, are located in the United States today. While the majority of American Gebs are descended from those who emigrated from Germany, there are also a few who trace their heritage back to the Netherlands and Poland. They can mainly be found in densely populated states like New York, California, and Florida, which are hubs for immigrants from Europe.
Overall, the surname Gebs may not be as common as it was centuries ago, but it can still be found in several parts of the world. It still carries its original meaning of "knife grinder," which indicates its humble roots and historical significance.
Variations of the surname Gebs
The surname Gebs has many variants, spellings and surnames of the same origin, including Gebes, Geib, Geibs, Geibes, Gebb, Gebe, Gebeß, Gibes, Gebel, Gebeler, Gebell, Gefell, Geipp, Gep, Gepes, Gepfers, Geips, Gebser, Gebeser and Gebhardt.
The origins of the surname Gebs are unclear, but it is believed to be of German origin and to be derived from the German word "Geb" meaning "a hollow". It could also be derived from the German word "Zeib" which means "a kind of marsh grass", or from the Middle High German word "geb" meaning "valley or marsh of a river".
In Germany, the surname Gebs is most common in the Schwabisch Hall area and its surrounding regions. Additionally, the surname is prevalent in Austria, mainly in and around Vienna.
In the United States, the Gebs surname is relatively uncommon and is mainly found in areas of the country with prior German immigration, such as Pennsylvania and Minnesota. Many of those bearing the Gebs surname in the United States are descended from German immigrants who arrived in the 18th and 19th centuries, and the surname can often be found spelled as Gebes, Geipp, Gebell, Gep, and Gibe.
It is likely that many of the variant spellings of the surname Gebs are simply a result of the name being transcribed differently over time. Some spellings could also be attributed to an immigrant's attempt to adapt the pronunciation of their original surname to English phonetics.
Famous people with the name Gebs
- Faris Gebs: athlete from Bahrain; represented his country at various international competitions.
- Ezzat Gebs: professional basketball player from Lebanon.
- Christoph Gebs: German handballer who competed in the 2016 German Olympic team roster.
- Winsome Gebs: Jamaican-born sprinter who won gold at the 1998 Commonwealth Games.
- George Gebs: former footballer from Hungary who played for various clubs around Europe.
- Henry Gebs: Czechoslovak-born Austrian footballer who played for the Austria national team in the 1950s.
- Lenny Gebs: American former professional basketball player who has played in the NBA and in Europe.
- Nazir Gebs: former Israeli professional basketball player who played for various clubs in Israel.
- Alex Gebs: American soccer player who won the 2015 U.S. Open Cup with the Philadelphia Union.
- Edward Gebs: British racing driver who competed in various championships across Europe.