Surname Grub - Meaning and Origin
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Grub: What does the surname Grub mean?
The last name Grub is of German origin and is derived from a Middle High German word meaning "earthworm," which is in turn derived from an Old High German word meaning "digger." Grub is considered to be an occupational name, given to someone whose profession involved digging, as opposed to farming or lumbering. It is also possible that this name could have been related to those of warriors who dug trenches and fortifications as a means of protection.
The name Grub can be found in records of many regions of Germany, the Netherlands, and Switzerland as well as in France and England, dating back to the 1500s. It is even recorded in a few instances in the United States in the 19th century, when many European immigrants came to North America.
The surname Grub also appears in heraldry, with the family crest bearing a lion holding an axe and standing on a mound of earth. This is a testament to the name’s roots in manual labor and to the origins of the name as one related to digging.
Today the Grub name is fairly uncommon, but it remains a testament to the hardworking ancestors who earned their living through vigorous labor.
Order DNA origin analysisGrub: Where does the name Grub come from?
The last name Grub is most commonly associated with central and eastern Europe, especially Germany and Austria. It is believed to be of Slavic origin, and to be derived from the word 'grub', meaning 'dirt'. It is also found within the Jewish populations of the same region.
Today, the surname can be found in Germany, Austria, Switzerland, the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Hungary, Poland, Romania, Belarus, Latvia, Lithuania, Russia, Ukraine, Serbia and Croatia. It is also found in North America, particularly the US, Canada, and Mexico.
In the United States, it is especially common in Pennsylvania due to the large numbers of German and eastern European immigrants who settled in the area in the 19th and 20th centuries. Smaller numbers can also be found in other parts of the US, particularly in Virginia, the Carolinas, Ohio, Michigan, Illinois, and New York.
The American branches of the Grub family typically spell their name differently than European branches. For instance, it can sometimes be spelled as "Groob", "Graub", or "Gruob".
No matter its spelling, the surname is often associated with hardworking farmers and tradesmen living in rural communities. So the name Grub still lives on today, especially in areas with a connection to Europe’s past.
Variations of the surname Grub
The surname Grub has various spellings, variants and surnames of similar origin. Grab is a variation of the German and Dutch surname Grub. This variation of the surname, also spelled Graab, Grahb, Graub, and Graubach, is common throughout North America.
The German form of the surname, Gruber, is also related to Grub, with variations such as Grouber, Greubel, Greub, Grebbel, Graubel, Gröber, Gruebel, Grübel and Grübler. Gruber is the most common surname in Austria and is common in Switzerland, Germany and the United States.
In the Netherlands, Grub is often spelled Grubbe, and its variations include Grubben, Grobbe, Grobbendam, Grubhout, Grubhoff and Grubé.
The surnames Grubb and Grubby are thought to be derived from a nickname for a person with a grubby face and hands – presumably someone who worked at a manual occupation such as mining. These surnames are common in the United Kingdom, United States and Canada.
Other variations of the surname Grub include Grabar, Graubart, Grabovskij, Grabovski, Grabovec, Grabovetsky, Grabovskaja, and Grubb. These names are found throughout Germany, Austria, Ukraine, Russia, and the Baltics.
In short, the surname Grub has many spellings, variants and related surnames due to its German, Dutch and Slavic origin.
Famous people with the name Grub
- Audrey Grub,644th Medical Detachment Army Reservist
- Patty Grub, Screenwriter
- Edward Grub,19th century Spanish comic actor
- Isidore Grub, Soviet Logician
- Rob Grub, Nashville Singer/Songwriter
- William Grub, Musician
- Isiah Grub, Professional Football Player
- George Grub, English Mathematician
- Glenn Grub, LA Bass Player
- Alan Grub, Hollywood Director