Surname Folberth - Meaning and Origin

Folberth: What does the surname Folberth mean?

The last name Folberth is most likely derived from either the Old German word “folberiche”, meaning “shelf”, or the Old High German word “folbaer”, meaning “shepherd”. It is typically of Germanic origin, mostly influencing surnames from areas that were formerly part of the Germanic-speaking world, such as the Netherlands, Germany, and Switzerland.

The Folberth surname has been found in records that date back centuries, making the first documented use of the name around 800 A.D. in the Netherlands. It was also found in various Bavarian and Swabian regions later on. During these early days, the last name was more likely associated with individuals who were involved in the manufacturing and handling of shelves or the caring of sheep.

Throughout the last few centuries, the surname “Folberth” has become an increasingly common name, mostly due to immigration to other countries and larger population growth. A great number of modern day Families Folberth can be found living in the United States and various European countries, particularly in Germany and the Netherlands.

Families that bear the last name Folberth are closely knit and often time place a strong emphasis on community and values. In different countries, this family name can also be written and/or pronounced differently. In some places, it’s been Anglicized to “Fulbreth”, while in others it has taken on a more German pronunciation, such as “Foelber”.

Folberth: Where does the name Folberth come from?

The surname Folberth is most commonly found in parts of Europe today. It originated in Northern Germany and is thought to be derived from the name "Vollbart", meaning "full beard". The surname is found in Germany, Austria, Switzerland and Poland, where it has been in use since the Middle Ages. It is quite rare in the United States, though there are some scattered instances, mainly in Pennsylvania and Wisconsin. The name is also found in the United Kingdom, mostly in areas surrounding the East Anglia region.

For the most part, the Folberth name is still quite strongly associated with Northern Germany. In German-speaking regions, the surname is regularly used in both everyday life and in official documents. In other countries, however, the name is more of a novelty. It likely appears on public documents, though not often as a surname.

The surname Folberth is a unique one that has survived the passing of time and travelled across oceans. It might be uncommon in certain places, but it is far from extinct. In fact, its presence in Europe and beyond shows just how resilient this old name truly is.

Variations of the surname Folberth

The Folberth surname has several variants, spellings, and related surnames of the same origin. It can also be spelled Folborth, Folborg, Folbart, Folbarth, Follborth, Falbort, Falbart, Fallborg, Fallbart, and Vollborth.

One alternate version of the surname, Volbrect, comes from the figure of Volbrecht in the Middle Ages. Volbrecht was a noble knight and close associate of Saint Eligius. His name was changed into a surname when the Franks conquered northern Germany.

Variations of the Folberth surname are mainly found in Germany, Austria, and Switzerland. For example, the German surname Vollborth is derived from the German words for "greater protection." The Austrian surname Siebert is derived from the word for "sovereign or victorious." It is also possible to find variants of the Folberth surname in the United States and Canada, especially in regions where people of German, Austrian, or Swiss descent settled: Pennsylvania, Maryland, North Carolina, Wisconsin, and Ontario.

The Folberth surname might also be linked to Folbacher, Found, and Funderer. All of these surnames are derived from the same root, the Old German word fund, which means "foundation." It is likely that these families have descended from the same ancestor, although the specific history and relationship between the different names remains unclear.

In addition, the Folberth surname could be related to Fallberg and Wallburg. These names are formed by combining the Old High German words wal or wel (foreigner) and burg (fortress). It is possible that the families who bear these surnames were not of native European descent, but rather had original ties to a different part of the world.

In conclusion, the Folberth surname has several variations, spellings, and related surnames of the same origin, which could be traced back to different parts of Europe or even other parts of the world. It is possible to find variants of this surname in the United States and Canada, where people of European descent settled.

Famous people with the name Folberth

• Julia Folberth: a German film and television actress
• Ryan Folberth: an American professional baseball pitcher for the Detroit Tigers
• Joe Folberth: an American musician and songwriter, best known for his blues-rock career
• Alex Folberth: a German professional ice hockey player
• Martin Folberth: an Austrian long-distance runner, marathon and road running athlete
• Maren Folberth: a German television actress
• Dennis Folberth: a German musician and record producer who has worked with artists such as Wir sind Helden, Groove Armada and Beta Band
• Dieter Folberth: a German politician, Member of the German Green Party
• Julie Folberth: an American former lacrosse player
• Richard Folberth: an American film composer best known for his work on the HBO series Boardwalk Empire.

Other surnames

Folbert