Surname Felber - Meaning and Origin
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Felber: What does the surname Felber mean?
The last name Felber is a German or Ashkenazi Jewish surname, which has a number of potential origins. It is derived from the Middle High German "volleber," or "full/stout beaver," which was a nickname for a rotund person. This is likely a result of the beaver's characteristic stout shape. It is also possible that the name is derived from a location name, such as Felbergen in Bohemia, Germany.
The surname, which is found mainly in Austria, Germany, and Switzerland, also has another potential origin being derived from the Old German term for "iron smelter," which was “villeper.” From this term, "Felber" came to refer to an individual who earned their living as an ore smelter.
The surname Felber is primarily found in South German and Austrian regions, as well as countries such as Israel, the United States, and Canada. It is a reasonably common surname, with a number of notable individuals bearing the name. Some of these people include Austrian actor Gerd Felber, Swiss musician Kurt Felber, and German woodworkers Ernst and Josef Felber.
Overall, the last name Felber has an interesting history, tracing its roots back to several different meanings, all of which reflect the character and lifestyle of those bearing the name.
Order DNA origin analysisFelber: Where does the name Felber come from?
The last name Felber is most commonly found in present-day Austria, where it is among the 500 most frequently occurring surnames. The Felber family can be traced as far back as the early 16th century, to a small village near Salzburg, Austria. The surname likely originates from the Germanic name Felber, which roughly translates to "one who ferries goods".
The name Felber slowly spread throughout Austria and is now found throughout the country, particularly in the provinces of Vienna and Lower Austria. It is also known to be used by some German-speaking families throughout Germany and Switzerland. Of course, as with any surname, the name Felber can also be found outside of Austria. As a result of immigration, it is now commonly seen in the United States, Canada, Australia, and other countries around the world.
The Felbers of today are multifaceted and come from a variety of backgrounds. However, despite this diversity, they are all connected by a shared last name, reinforcing a sense of identity and belonging.
Variations of the surname Felber
The surname Felber is of German origin and is derived from the word "Vilber", which means ruler or prince. Spellings of the name include Feilber, Feilbir, Feilbore, Felbaer, Feldbaer, Feilbaer, Fielbeer, Vielbaer, Vilbaer, Vielbear, Veelbir, Veelbaer, and Veelbeer.
The variants of the surname are usually derived from regional variations of the time of origin, when surnames were assigned to individuals. For example, the delegates of the Rhine region of Germany formed most of the variant spellings of the name, such as Feilbir and Feilbore. In addition, individuals from the territories of Germany, which were once part of the Austro-Hungarian Empire, might have used spellings such as Felbaer and Feldbaer.
The surnames of the same origin of Felber include Feldl, Feilb, Feldbaum, Feldmaier, Feldbauer, Felde, Velius, Velten, Veldman, Velter, Feldmann, and Vilborg. All of these surnames stem from the same etymology and are almost certainly related.
Felber is an interesting surname that has shifted and changed over the centuries in its spelling and variants. It is clear that the derivation of the term is from the word Vi(l)ber, meaning ruler of prince. It is a surname full of history and is shared amongst many families of Germanic origin.
Famous people with the name Felber
- Mary Felber Prall– American opera singer and recording artist
- Brett Felber– Historical novelist and creative writing professor
- Erich Felber– Former professional soccer player, Austrian international
- Martin Felber– German classical guitarist
- Edward E. Felber– American writer and producer
- Linda Felber– American artist, photographer, and writer
- Sarina Felber– Model and actress
- Jody Felber– American storyteller, performer, and Jewish educator
- William H. Felber– American journalist and author
- Franz Felber– German tennis player, won three singles titles