Surname Eby - Meaning and Origin
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Eby: What does the surname Eby mean?
The surname Eby is of Germanic origin and is a variant of "Ebe," which is derived from "eber," meaning boar. The boar is believed to have been a powerful symbol of strength and courage for the early Germanic people.
In Northern Germany, the robust wild pig was depicted on totem poles and helmets. Some legends claimed that the boar was the first animal created, and it was seen as a powerful protector and a sign of good fortune.
Today, “Eby” is an uncommon but widely spread surname in Germany, but also found elsewhere throughout Europe, as well as in the United States and Canada. In the U.S., the earliest known records of the surname can be traced back to Johannes Eby, who immigrated to Pennsylvania from Germany in 1736.
The earliest records of the Eby surname seem to predate other popular German-American surnames, such as Smith and Miller. As a result, Eby families in North America may well have descended from some of the earliest German immigrants.
The Eby surname is often associated with success in business and ambition. The Eby family motto speaks to this: “Strive to be the best, because mediocrity is unacceptable.” This sentiment is a fitting one for a family that has proven itself to be strong, ambitious, and successful in many walks of life.
Order DNA origin analysisEby: Where does the name Eby come from?
The last name Eby is primarily derived from a German occupational name meaning “one who worked in an Eby,” which is an old German name for a bird-catching net. Today, the Eby last name is most common in North America, particularly in the United States and Canada.
In the United States, the highest concentration of the Eby name is in Indiana, followed by Pennsylvania, New York, Ohio, and Michigan. In Canada, it is most common in Ontario as well as the Maritime Provinces. Worldwide, the highest concentration of the Eby name is in Liberia.
It is important to note that while the Eby name is a common German name, it is also a fairly common last name among Mennonite families of Swiss-German background. In fact, the Eby family name has been found to be the seventh most common Mennonite family name. It is also found among Amish communities in the United States, particularly in Pennsylvania.
The Eby name is a relatively old one, with a number of variants, including Ebey, Eby, Ibby, and Ibey. Despite its popularity, the Eby last name is still rare in many places and its origin is unfortunately lost in the mists of time. Nevertheless, the Eby surname is still quite common today in the United States, Canada, and Liberia.
Variations of the surname Eby
The surname Eby is of German origin, derived from the pre-7th century personal name ‘Eberhard’, also known in the form ‘Eber’ and is recorded in the modern spelling throughout the Germanic countries since the medieval period.
Variations of the surname Eby include Eby, Ebey, Ebie, Ebyer, Ebyers, Ebye, Ebyer, Ebeyer, Ebeyer, Ebeier, Ebie, Ebyer, and Eber.
Additional variations include the Dutch spelling Ebij as well as other surname spellings such as Abey, Abeye, Abby, Abey, Abeye, Aby, Abyer, Abeye and Abeyer.
Other variants include Abeier, Ebacher, Ebber, Ebbes, Ebbessen, Ebel, Ebeler, Ebelin, Ebener, Eberhardt, Ebert, Ebertmann, Ebenroth, Ebner, Ebrecht and Eberenz.
Although many of these surnames may not be directly related to the name Eby, they all have the same Germanic root and can be found in various combination with other roots, as well.
For example, some variants of the Eby surname have a Dutch suffix, such as Ebyer, Ebij, or Abey. Additionally, some variants may also be combination of two or more roots, such as Abeey or Abeier.
Thus, spelling variations for the surname Eby can be numerous depending on the country or origin, language, and cultural background of the bearer.
Famous people with the name Eby
- Frank Eby: A well-known former CEO of the VF Corporation (Vanity Fair, Lee, Wrangler, The North Face apparel).
- Louie Eby: Singer, songwriter, record producer and multi-instrumentalist from the Canadian rock band, Sum 41.
- Alex Eby: Well-known former CEO of Interisland Airways, British Columbia’s largest regional airline.
- John Eby: American politician and consultant in Ohio, who was elected to and served in the Ohio House of Representatives.
- Robert Eby: American businessman and entrepreneur who served as Chairman and CEO of The North Face.
- Lauren Eby: American fashion designer and one of the country’s foremost ready-to-wear innovators.
- Earl Eby: American football player who played several seasons for the All-American Football Conference, and was inducted into the Ohio Hall of Fame.
- Jake Eby: Award-winning American newscaster and TV personality, who served as host of the nationally-syndicated The Jake Eby Show.
- Kathryn Eby: Canadian landscape photographer, who is known for her stunning, nature-inspired photographs.
- David Eby: Canadian lawyer and politician, who is currently the Attorney General of British Columbia and the MLA for Vancouver–Point Grey.