Surname Grobe - Meaning and Origin
all surnames with 'G'
Grobe: What does the surname Grobe mean?
The surname Grobe is of German origin and is derived from the Old Germanic word ‘grub’, which means ‘ditch’ or ‘trench’. It’s likely that the ancestral home of the Grobe surname was in a location near a large ditch or trench.
The surname Grobe is a relatively popular surname in Germany with over 2000 people per million having the name. It is also found in Switzerland, Austria, and other parts of Europe.
The meaning of the surname can provide some clues to the professions of ancestral bearers of the name. In Germany during the Middle Ages, many of the Grobes would have been farmers, living and working near fields and ditches. They would have built the ditches and trenches for irrigation purposes and to protect their crops from grazing animals and other wild animals.
Another likely profession of Grobes during medieval times is that of a mason. Masons would have been called upon to repair, maintain, and build structures, such as bridges, walls, and churches, near ditches and trenches in order to control the flow of water or mark boundaries.
In more modern times, Grobes still maintain their roots as farmers and masons, though many have gone on to have successful careers in other areas, such as business and technology.
No matter their occupation, the ancestral bearers of the surname Grobe, from medieval times to modern, have all been linked by a common ancestry and a shared association with ditches and trenches.
Order DNA origin analysisGrobe: Where does the name Grobe come from?
The last name Grobe is most commonly found in the West Central region of Germany. It is particularly prominent in the states of Baden-Württemberg, Rhineland-Palatinate and Hesse. The name is also found in certain parts of Austria, Czech Republic, Poland, and Switzerland, as well as in the Netherlands.
In the United States, the Grobe surname is relatively uncommon. According to statistics, there are only around 700 people bearing this surname in the U.S. Census of 2020. The highest concentration of people with this name is in West Virginia, followed by Maryland, Delaware, Pennsylvania, and Florida.
Grobe is a relatively old surname, its earliest known recording dating back to 1319, when one Weger zur Grobe was recorded in Hamburg. In the word Grobe, the 'G' refers to the German word meaning ‘before’ or 'in front of’ and the 'röbe' part is derived from a word meaning 'broad field'. This suggests that it may have been originally a locational name, thereby suggesting that the earliest bearers of the surname were settlers who moved to an area characterized by a broad open field.
Today, the Grobe last name is still alive and well in its native countries across Europe. It is a reminder of a bygone era, when mobility and exploration were still relatively new adventures; prompting people to search out new and better lifestyles. It is also a reminder of the deep and irrevocable ties that Germans have to their homeland and their roots.
Variations of the surname Grobe
Grobe is a family name that has been passed down for generations. The most common forms of the surname are Grobes, Grobe, Grobesz, Grieve, Grob, Grobbacher, Grobbel, Grobkar, and Grobke. Grobes is an old form of the surname which can be translated to “grove” in German, and this spelling is still common in certain parts of Germany. Grobe is a more modern spelling that emerged most likely as result of a more simplified spelling of the name. Grobesz is an even more modern version of the name, which can be found in both Austria and Germany. Grieve is a spelling variant of Grobe that was popular in Scotland and Northern Ireland. Grob is an even simpler version of the name, and is probably a result of people attempting to Anglicize the spelling. In the United States, Grobbacher and Grobbel are two popular spellings of the name. Both of these variants appear to be derived from the German cities where many of the earliest Grobe families immigrated from. Finally, Grobkar, Grobke, and Grobke are three spellings of the surname common in Germany, Austria, and Poland. All of these different spellings of the name Grobe can all be traced back to a single origin.
Famous people with the name Grobe
- Brad Grobe: Brad Grobe is an American college football coach and former player. He is currently the head coach of the Wake Forest Demon Deacons football team.
- John Grobe: John Grobe is an American businessman and entrepreneur. He is the founder and CEO of the highly successful Federal Focus, an expert consultancy firm that serves the needs of Federal Government clients.
- Jean Grobe: Jean Grobe is a French politician and former Minister of Culture in the 1990s. She is best known for her popularization of the concept of intercultural dialogue through her books and articles on the topic.
- Michael Grobe: Michael Grobe is a British actor who has starred in numerous films and television shows, including The Tudors, The Crown, and Downton Abbey.
- Lise Grobe: Lise Grobe is a French pianist, composer, and vocalist. She is best known for her eclectic style which combines elements of classical music, jazz, pop, and folk.
- Andrea Grobe: Andrea Grobe is a German sculptor, known for her surreal and abstract sculptures. Her works have been exhibited in galleries and museums around Europe.
- Stephan Grobe: Stephan Grobe is a German journalist and editor at DW News. He is featured in various DW News programs where he offers insight on German political events and news.
- Fritz Grobe: Fritz Grobe is a Dutch circus artist. He performs highlight acts with his comedy partner, Maria auf dem Springborn, with whom he has traveled the world with their award-winning circus show.