Surname Cuberly - Meaning and Origin

Cuberly: What does the surname Cuberly mean?

The last name Cuberly is an occupational surname, meaning that it likely originated from a trade or profession that the original bearer of the name had. The name is likely derived from the Old English word “cyberl”, which means cooper, or a maker of barrels and casks. This indicates that the original bearer of the surname was a cooper, a craftsperson who built wooden containers from standing or renewable materials, such as logs, staves, and hoops. This profession was important in the middle ages, when it was used to store wine, beer, and other liquids, as well as solids such as grains.

As an occupational surname, the name Cuberly likely developed over time and began to be associated with the Cuberly family. As such, it is likely that most of the Cuberly's throughout history were occupational coopers. This can be seen in the records from colonial America, where many members of the Cuberly family were employed in the cooper trade. This is also likely why the Cuberly family was so widespread throughout the United States, as they were able to follow the burgeoning American population.

In modern times, the last name Cuberly is still associated with the cooper trade, and many families bearing the name are still involved in trades related to barrel and cask making. However, the name is also a common name among many other unrelated families across the United States, as it has become a popular surname as a result of immigration and migration.

Cuberly: Where does the name Cuberly come from?

The last name Cuberly is most commonly found in the United States today. According to the website Forebears, as of 2020 the United States has the highest number of Cuberly's, accounting for 81.2 percent of all Cuberly's worldwide. Of that 81.2 percent, Indiana has the highest population of Cuberly's within the US, accounting for more than half of the total. Other states with high populations of Cuberly's include Pennsylvania, Ohio, and Michigan.

The surname Cuberly is an American variant of the more traditional English name of Coubrough. This name is derived from various combinations of Old English elements such as "cubor" (ravine) and "burh" (fortified place). This makes sense in the context of the industrial revolution occurring in the United States at the time that this surname first appeared there between 1840 and 1860.

The majority of Cuberly's in the US today are descended from those who originated in Europe during the 19th century. All Cuberly's belong to the same general population, however, there are two primary branches today. Descendants of those who stayed in Europe and those descended from people who immigrated to the US during the late 19th and early 20th century.

The Cuberly surname is a fairly uncommon one, with only one in every 30,000 people in the United States having that name. Despite this, Cuberly's are still quite visible in the US today and in the Midwest in particular.

Variations of the surname Cuberly

The surname Cuberly is derived from the Old English word ‘Cuberle’, meaning a person who lived near a wicker enclosure. Variants, spellings and surnames of the same origin include:

Cuberle, Cuberley, Cubberly, Cubberley, Coberley, Cobberley, Coberly, Cobberly, Copley, Coppley, Cuperly, Coply, Copply, Coupley and Cupperly.

Cuberlys have long been associated with various locations throughout Britain, including Cumberland, Fenny Stratford, Northampton and Somerset. The first recorded spelling of the family name Cuberly was found in 1208 when William de Cumberle was noted in the Pipe Rolls of Somerset. The variations of the name have also found their way around the Atlantic, with various Cuberly's recorded in the US, in the 17th and 18th centuries.

The Cuberly surname is most commonly found in the United Kingdom and Ireland, with most of the population having roots that can be traced back to the mainland. It is possible that the name was brought over to the British Isles by Viking conquerors, as the name’s spelling is indicative of Old Norse or Viking origins. Today, the Cuberly name can be found in various locations across Ireland, Scotland, England and Wales, showing no bias to any of the Celtic nations.

In the United States, the majority of the Cuberly population can be found concentrated along the east coast, particularly in Pennsylvania, Virginia, New York and New Jersey. Additionally, many of surnames present in the United Kingdom and Ireland, such as Coberly, Cubberly, etc. have been bearers of the name Cuberly in the US, further testifying to its movement across the Atlantic.

Famous people with the name Cuberly

• Caleb Cuberly: Former third baseman in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Philadelphia Athletics (1904).
• Ethel Cuberly: 19th-century American illustrator, whose drawings appeared in a number of magazines and books.
• Gifford Cuberly: British organist, born in 1852. He was organist at many London churches, including St Bride's Church and St James, Piccadilly.
• Henry B. Cuberly: American journalist and publisher, best known as the founder and editor of the American Labor Who’s Who (1918).
• David Cuberly: British musician, chiefly remembered for his song “God Bless the Prince of Wales”, which was first performed in 1800.
• James Cuberly: Early 20th century American newspaper editor who served as the managing editor of the Fort Wayne Journal-Gazette.
• John Cuberly: American politician and member of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives.
• Mary R. Cuberly: American librarian, best known for her work as Superintendent of the Library of the United States Bureau of Education from 1886 to 1909.
• Richard Cuberly: American painter, active in the late 19th and early 20th centuries.
• Robert H. Cuberly: 19th century American lawyer and politician from Pennsylvania. He served in the Union Army during the American Civil War.

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