Surname Greber - Meaning and Origin

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The iGENEA DNA test offers an enlightening journey into your past. Learn about the origins of your surname; in this case, Greber, and find potential worldwide family connections. Surprise awaits in a comprehensive genetic breakdown that adds depth to your understanding of self.

U. Greber

Greber: What does the surname Greber mean?

The surname Greber essentially originates from Europe, especially from regions that speak German, French, and English. It is considered a variant of the name Graber which is derived from the Middle High German term "graber", meaning "digger" or "gravedigger". It was an occupational surname for someone who worked as a digger, often involving digging graves or digging in fields. Overtime, the surname has seen multiple spelling variations including Greber, Graber, and Gräber among others. Similar to many other surnames, geographical and regional differences might have influenced its exact meaning and usage. Since surnames were taken based on a person's occupation, location, or even physical attributes, it is also plausible that the origin might vary based on the individual family history. Nevertheless, just like any other name, it does not bear any inherent significance regarding the character or destiny of the individual bearing it.

Greber: Where does the name Greber come from?

The surname Greber originated in Germany. It is derived from the Middle High German word "greber," which referred to a digger of graves or ditches. Therefore, it was likely originally an occupational name for someone who held one of these jobs. This name started to appear in various parts of Germany, especially in regions where the Middle High German language was prevalent.

The last name Greber is not very common today. However, you may find a small concentration of people with this surname in Germany and Switzerland. It has also spread to other countries due to migration and you can find a few Grebers in countries like the United States and France. Despite this spread, it's still not a very common surname internationally.

It's important to remember that the concentration of a surname in different countries can change over time due to various factors such as migration, naturalization, intermarriage, among other sociological changes.

Variations of the surname Greber

The surname Greber seems to have roots in German-speaking countries, particularly in areas like Switzerland, Germany, and Austria. Variants of Greber may be influenced by regional dialects, phonetic speling, or immigration to other nations. Greber may also be spelled as Graeber, Gräber, Greber, Krieber, Kreber, and Grieber.

Some associated surnames which may share a common origin include Graber, Gruber, Kreber, and Kräber. These surnames could have been derived from occupations: in Middle High German, "gräber" means "digger" or "graver," which could have referred to a grave digger or a carver of gravestones.

There are also possibilities of name changes due to immigration, particularly to English-speaking countries. For instance, Greber might be transformed to Grover, Grieve, or Greaver. It's also interesting to note that there are towns in Germany named Greben and Gräben, which may suggest that the Greber surname could have been a geographical name for someone who came from these towns. However, precise origin and name alterations can best be assessed through thorough genealogical research.

Famous people with the name Greber

• Gustav Greber (1881-1965), German forester
• Karl Greber (1877-1933), German painter
• Harald Greber (born 1923), German physicist and astrophysicist
• Jakob Greber (1771-1850), German botanist
• David Greber, Canadian professor and author
• Barbara Greber (born 1961), Austrian politician
• Rudolf Greber (1909-1987), Swiss theologian
• Lothar Greber (born 1950), German jazz musician
• Karl Greber (1908-1984), Austrian diplomat
• Ulrich Greber (born 1965), German classical scholar

Other surnames

GrebeGrebelGrebener