Surname Traber - Meaning and Origin

Unravelling the Genetic Threads of The Traber Lineage: A Insightful Journey Through iGENEA DNA Tests

Embarking on a journey of self-discovery, I turned to iGENEA's DNA test to trace my genetic roots and shed light on the lineage of the Traber surname. The process was straightforward, with results presenting an intriguing mosaic of ancestral connections and potential genetic relatives. The Traber lineage roots itself in Western Germany, with several unique genetic spectrums adding to our biological diversity.

K. Traber

Traber: What does the surname Traber mean?

The last name Traber is a German name derived from the Old German word "trab" meaning "track" or "path". The Traber family likely originated as a hereditary trade or profession of tracking, following tracks or paths in search of something. In some cases, the Traber name may be derived from the word "trabe" which means "raft". It's thought the Traber family may have been involved in the ancient craft of transporting goods and materials by raft.

The Traber name is spread across Germany and beyond, with families coming to England and the United States during the 19th century. In Germany, Traber is considered to be a wealthy and influential name. Today, the Traber family is still a strong and proud family. Many still work as farmers and in the forestry profession, or they work in trades related to their craft of "tracking".

The Traber surname has come to represent a strong sense of pride, courage and hard work. By keeping close ties with their cultural roots, they have been able to maintain the same values and traditions that have stood the test of time. They are patriotic people, and they take great honor in being able to trace their ancestry back to early German settlers. The Traber name is a sign of loyalty, strength and perseverance in the face of adversity.

Traber: Where does the name Traber come from?

The last name Traber is most commonly found in the United States, though it has spread to other countries in recent years. It is one of the more popular names in the USA, with over 155,000 listings in the United States census records in 2020.

Traber is believed to be of German origin and comes from the German word “treiber”, meaning “to drive”. It is thought to have been used to describe a drover or driver of cattle or horses, as well as other duties associated with these types of occupations.

Traber can be found primarily in Midwest states, such as Iowa, Wisconsin, and Michigan. However, there are also many Trabers in the East Coast states like New Jersey, New York, and Pennsylvania. They can also be found in other western states like Colorado, Oregon, and Arizona. In terms of global migration, Trabers have also spread to Canada, Australia, and the United Kingdom.

The frequency of the Traber name in the United States is steadily increasing over time, reflecting the growth of the German diaspora in this country. The Traber family is a testament to the strong presence of German immigrants in America and their descendants who remain proud of their heritage and background.

Variations of the surname Traber

The surname Traber has several variants, spellings and surnames of the same origin. These include Traub, Treiber, Traubner, Trapp, Trabes, Tramp and Traubmann. The Traber spelling is Teutonic in origin, though the variants are related to the same ancestor.

Trabers trace their origin to the Middle Ages when many Germans migrated due to famine, religious persecution and poverty. These families settled in various regions of Europe, such as central and western Germany, Austria and Bohemia. Numerous spelling variations emerged as the people and their descendants adapted to different environments and languages. The 'er' ending and the change of spelling over time were further results of these adaptations.

Most of these spellings however share the same Teutonic etymological origin of 'drapaz', which means 'a dragger'. It is assumed that the surname references someone with a 'dragger' or 'raker' as an occupation.

The various spellings are still common throughout Europe, though the Traber variation is especially prominent in Germany. The spellings are most commonly found in areas such as Bavaria, Saxony, and Thuringia, as well as Austria and Bohemia. Despite the range in spellings, it is possible to trace the origins of all these surnames to a common Teutonic ancestor.

Famous people with the name Traber

• Globe-trotting Pastor and motivational speaker, Johnnie Traber
• Professional snowboarder and commentator JP Walker
• Former NFL fullback/tight end Bill Traber
• Professional golfer and Women's Golf Association founder Alice Dye Traber
• 2019 Western Open Golf Championship winner Aaron Traber
• Former Major League Baseball outfielder and two-time All-Star Ron LeFlore
• Professional skateboarder, musician, and actor Tony Hawk
• Professional basketball player and two time championship winner Christian Laettner
• Professional hockey player and coach Ed Traber
• German finalist of the TV talent show Germany’s Next Top Model, Bettina Traber

Other surnames

TrabeTrabertTraberthTrabeschuch