Surname Grabel - Meaning and Origin
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Grabel: What does the surname Grabel mean?
The surname Grabel is generally of German, Jewish, and Dutch origin. Its meaning is linked to occupation and was originally an occupational name for a person who cultivated grain or was a farmer.
The term 'Graebel' is derived from Middle High German words ‘graebele’ or ‘groebel’, which meant to glean or harvest a crop. Graebel is also a Dutch name derived from the word ‘grabbeleren’ meaning 'to pluck' or 'to glean.' This was the practice of picking up and collecting the remaining grain from the fields after the harvest.
In more general terms, it is also believed that the surname Grabel is associated with the same root word as 'Grab' which means 'to dig.' This could be in reference to a grave digger or similar occupation.
In Jewish culture, the name Grabel is derived from the Hebrew word ‘gabriel’ which means ‘strong man of god.’
The Grabel surname is quite rare, so those carrying the name tend to share common ancestors. Bearers of the Grabel name can trace their family history back to Germany and Holland, particularly in the areas of the Palatinate, thy East Friesland, Franconia and Westphalia.
Order DNA origin analysisGrabel: Where does the name Grabel come from?
The last name Grabel is most commonly found in Israel today. It is thought to have originated in Central or Eastern Europe, and the earliest spelling found for the surname is Graf. The name can also be found in Poland and Germany in smaller numbers.
In Israel, the name Grabel is widespread, particularly among the Ashkenazic Jewish population. Data from Israel suggests that the surname was already widespread in the late 19th-century when eastern European Jews began emigrating to the country. The majority of the surname-holders can be found in Jerusalem and the coastal city of Tel Aviv. The name is thought to be derived from the German word ‘graben’, meaning ‘to dig’, and other variants of the name can be found in Israel, including Graibel, Graepel, Graibel, and Graeple.
In the US, the name is most commonly found in the state of New York, particularly in the Jewish areas of Brooklyn and the Bronx. The surname is less frequent in other states.
In the United Kingdom today, the last name Grabel is an uncommon surname, and there are less than 50 people in the UK with this surname. There are, however, Grabel families who have emigrated from Israel to the UK in the past few decades who have stayed and adopted the surname.
Variations of the surname Grabel
The surname Grabel is an uncommon name, which has several variants in spelling and origin. It may be spelled Grabiel, Graebel, Grabble, Grebel, Greble, Greaybel, Graybele, Grebelle, Graybell, Grabell, Gribble, Grable, Grubel, Grubble, Grubblee, Gruebel and Grueble. It is primarily of German, Swiss-German, and Jewish (Ashkenazic) origin.
The German surname Grabel is derived from the Middle High German “grab”, meaning "digger" or "grave". This was likely an occupational name for someone who dug graves or gravesites. The Swiss-German form of Grabel is derived from the Middle High German “grabel”, which means "rake" or "harrow". This was likely the occupational name for a farmer who used harrows to break up clods of soil.
The Yiddish variant of Grabel is derived from the Hebrew "Gabriel", meaning "God is my strength". This name was likely adopted by Jewish children whose parents were too poor to afford the services of a professional Jewish scribe.
Grabel is also a surname of French origin, believed to have been derived from the old French words “graval” (“soil”) and “belle” (“beautiful”). This surname was likely adopted by families who lived in a region with rich soil and attractive farmlands.
So overall, the surname Grabel can have several variants in spellings and origin. The common variants are Grabiel, Graebel, Grabble, Grebel, Greble, Greaybel, Graybele, Grebelle, Graybell, Grabell, Gribble, Grable, Grubel, Grubble, Grubblee, Gruebel and Grueble. It can be of German, Swiss-German, Jewish (Ashkenazic), and French origin.
Famous people with the name Grabel
- Lucas Grabel: Brazilian YouTuber, gamer, and vlogger.
- Joe Grabel: Former American Major League Baseball pitcher.
- Terry Grabel: American actor known for his roles in the television series Dallas, Magnum P.I., and Raven.
- Charles Grabel: American film and television editor.
- Mark Grabel: Former German professional ice hockey player.
- Emma Grabel: U.S. Paralympic swimmer and hopeful for the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games.
- Karen Grabel: American jazz singer, pianist, and composer.
- Kristin Grabel: American actress known for her roles in the television series East Los High and Motherhood Mixtape.
- Marcus Grabel: Brazilian fashion designer.
- Jay Grabel: American stuntman known for his work on Mission: Impossible: Fallout and Deadpool 2.