Surname Greb - Meaning and Origin
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TITLE: Unraveling the Complex Threads of My Ancestry: Surprising Revelations from My iGENEA DNA Test
When I decided to take the iGENEA DNA test, I was prepared for surprises and unexpected turns. What I didn't anticipate, however, was just how diverse and compelling my family history would prove to be. Uncovering the secrets of my Greb surname opened new waypoints in my understanding of my ancestry, all of which only fueled my fascination for the journeys my ancestors undertook across the centuries.
M. Greb
read moreGreb: What does the surname Greb mean?
The last name Greb is believed to have German origins, stemming from the calque of the Low German word 'greb' meaning 'graves'. This word could refer to the physical graves of early Greb ancestors, such as those of those buried in the crypts of churches and monasteries or those located in family graveyards. The Greb surname may also have personal origins, being derived from a personal name such as the medieval given name 'Greb'. This name is thought to have been derived from the Old Germanic name 'Grip' or the Old High Germanic name 'Greb', both of which mean 'grasp'. It's possible that this name may have been given to a Greb ancestor who was skilled in grasping or holding onto things.
Historically, the Greb surname has been found mainly in Southern Germany and Austria. However, it has since spread to other countries, particularly to the United States of America, where it is the 534th most popular surname. To this day, the Greb last name continues to be a proud feature among the German-speaking families who have kept it for centuries.
Order DNA origin analysisGreb: Where does the name Greb come from?
Greb is an infrequently used surname, especially in the English-speaking world. It originated from central and eastern European countries such as Germany, Poland, and the Czech Republic, where it is still found to this day. In these countries, it is primarily a surname derived from the German word "Greb", meaning "coal miner". In some cases, Greb is also an occupational name from the Czech word "hřeb", meaning "nail".
Greb is not found often in the United States, however there are a few pockets of the population with this name. In particular, the Pennsylvania Dutch region in Pennsylvania has a few families with the surname Greb, most likely having originated from Germany centuries ago. There is also a notable cluster of families with this name living in Chicago, Illinois, a result of German immigration in the 19th century.
Other countries with notable populations of Greb include Canada, Mexico, and Australia. It is also likely to come across some with this name in various other countries with populations of German descent, such as Argentina, Uruguay, Russia, and Chile. Although it is a relatively uncommon surname, there are still pockets around the world where you might come across this uncommon name.
Variations of the surname Greb
Greb is a German surname derived from the Middle High German word greb or grabe, which refers to a grove of trees. It is likely derived from the word grove and was originally found in the area around the Elbe River in northern Germany and the northern Netherlands. Variants of this surname include Grab, Grebbe, Grebe, Grabbe, Graeb, Grebb, and Graebbe.
In the United States, the spelling Greb has also been adopted for some families. Early records of this surname in the US include Peter Greb, from Wurtenburgh, Germany, who settled in Pennsylvania in 1734; John Greb who arrived in Baltimore, Maryland in 1750; and Abraham Greb, who settled in Pennsylvania in 1772.
In some cases, this surname has been Anglicised to Grieve or Greave. Grieve is a Scottish variant from the Old English grȳfe, which was used to denote a reeve or bailiff. It is likely some Greb families assumed this surname when immigrating to Scotland.
Alternative spellings or variants of Greb are more common in other countries, such as Canada and Germany. For example, the Canadian variant Kreb may be found among early German immigrants to Canada name and the German variant Krapf may be found among some Bavarian families.
Famous people with the name Greb
- Adam Greb: Adam Greb is an American mixed martial artist, who has previously challenged for the Bellator featherweight title.
- Alex Greb: Alex Greb is a German former professional footballer who played as a striker.
- Frank Greb: Frank Greb was a German-American lightweight professional boxer who was active during the early 20th century.
- Georg Greb: Georg Greb was a German artist and illustrator.
- Laura Greb: Laura Greb is a former German Olympic swimmer who competed in the Summer Olympic Games in 2004 and 2008.
- Paul Greb: Paul Greb was a Canadian ice hockey player who played centre and left wing for five teams between 1902 and 1909.
- Steve Greb: Steve Greb is an American photographer who has been photographing fashion, editorial, and advertising clients since the mid-1980s.
- Stuart Greb: Stuart Greb is an American composer and guitar/mandolin educator, and a session musician.
- William Greb: William Greb was a German born American helicopter pioneer, who was credited with the invention of the helicopter tail rotor.
- Emil Greb: Emil Greb was a German actor and theater director active during the 19th century.