Surname Liebhaber - Meaning and Origin
all surnames with 'L'
Liebhaber: What does the surname Liebhaber mean?
The last name Liebhaber is an occupational name derived from the German language. It translates to ‘lover’ and was likely used to refer to someone whose occupation involved a passionate expertise. Liebhaber could have referred to a collector, connoisseur or dealer of goods, or an artist or craftsman who has skill and knowledge of their trade. Alternatively, it could refer to a chef or cook, a brewer, or a musician.
The name is likely to have originated in pre-modern times. In those days, a Liebhaber would likely have been an itinerant salesman or a master craftsman who travelled the country selling their wares and expertise. The name was probably a way to show appreciation for the Liebhaber’s craftsmanship and excellent goods.
To this day, Liebhaber is primarily still used as an occupational name in Germany and other German-speaking countries. However, it has also gained international recognition thanks to the immigrants who brought it with them to other countries such as the United States, Canada, and Australia.
In modern times, Liebhaber is a name associated with both passion and skill. It is a reminder of the value of the continued practice of traditional trades and of the importance of having skilled and knowledgeable craftspeople and connoisseurs in today’s society.
Order DNA origin analysisLiebhaber: Where does the name Liebhaber come from?
The last name Liebhaber is of German origin and is most common in countries that were at one point part of the German Empire or have a large German immigrant population such as parts of the US, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand.
Within Germany itself, Liebhaber is most common in Bavaria, followed by Saxony and North Rhine Westphalia. It is also fairly common in Austria and Switzerland. A quick search of the white pages in Munich reveals quite a few Liebhaber households, while a search of the Melbourne area of Australia turns up few but geographically fairly spread apart Liebhaber family homes.
Apart from Germany, Liebhaber is also present in the US and Canada, where it is likely that the original Liebhaber settlers were German immigrants. In the US, the three states where it is most commonly found are Pennsylvania, Illinois and New York. In Pennsylvania it is most concentrated in the west side of the state, around Pittsburgh and the surrounding towns. In Canada, Liebhaber is most common in Ontario and BC, where German-speaking settlers were most prevalent.
The Liebhaber surname is also found in Australia, New Zealand and South Africa, much of which can be attributed to German immigration during early colonial times or during World War II. It is therefore no surprise that Liebhaber is a fairly common surname among all these countries.
Variations of the surname Liebhaber
The surname Liebhaber is derived from the German word Liebhaber, which means lover. It is one of the oldest and most established family names in German-speaking countries. The variants, spellings and surnames associated with this same origin are varied and can range from the relatively common to the extremely rare.
The most common variants of the Liebhaber surname are Leibhaber, Liebhaber, Liebhofen, Liebhoffer, Liebknecht, Liebman, Liebmann, Liebner, and Leibholdt. These variants generally share the same pronunciation and spelling.
Variants of the Liebhaber surname that vary in pronunciation include Liebner, Liebmann, Liebhard, Libheimer, and Libmann. These names are usually spelled differently and may be localized versions of the original name.
Variations in spelling that are usually limited to very specific geographical locations include Libart, Liebhard, Liebwein, Liebner, Leibing, Libinm, Libin, and Leiphart. The spelling variations of these names usually appear in records in combination with other surnames.
Finally, some rare spelling variations of the Liebhaber surname include Lippert, Liphut, Leifert and Leiferd. These names usually belonged to individuals with a specific birthplace or area of origin.
In summary, the variants, spellings and surnames associated with the origin of the surname Liebhaber are varied and range from the very common to the extremely rare. While the most common variants are Leibhaber, Liebhaber, Liebhofen, Liebhoffer, Liebknecht, Liebman, Liebmann, Liebner, and Leibholdt, their spellings can also vary greatly. Additionally, some rare variants include Lippert, Liphut, Leifert and Leiferd.
Famous people with the name Liebhaber
- David Liebhaber: American Democratic Politician
- Eric Liebhaber: American Playwright
- Ilana Liebhaber: American Feminist Playwright
- Greg Liebhaber: American Football Player
- Peter Liebhaber: American Business Executive
- Felix Liebhaber: German Navy Officer
- Johannes Liebhaber: German Classical Organist
- Franz Liebhaber: German Railway Engineer
- Mike Liebhaber: American Football Coach
- Robert Liebhaber: American Television Producer
- Dan Liebhaber: American Country Music Artist
- Jennifer Liebhaber: American Political Strategist
- Alan Liebhaber: Australian Politician
- Werner Liebhaber: German Federal President
- Mark Liebhaber: American Real Estate Investor
- Kenny Liebhaber: American Professional Golfer
- Jeff Liebhaber: American Entrepreneur
- Adolph Liebhaber: American Medical Doctor
- Hillary Liebhaber: American Environmental Activist
- Elliott Liebhaber: American Legal Scholar
- Karen Liebhaber: American Magazine Editor