Surname Gehb - Meaning and Origin
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Gehb: What does the surname Gehb mean?
The last name Gehb is of German origin. It is a variant of the surname Geb, which is a topographic name for someone living near a hill or cliff. The name can also be derived from the German word Geba, which means gape. Other variants of the surname include Gebb, Gebe, Gebel, Gebell, Gebeh, and Gebes.
The name Gehb is associated with a few distinct geographic regions in Germany. It can be most commonly found in Northern Bavaria, specifically in historic Bavarian counties such as Regensburg, Passau, Amberg-Sulzbach, and Bamberg. People with this last name are also found in the Alsace Region of France, and have likely traveled into the region from Germany throughout history.
The meaning of the surname Gehb is often associated with its literal meaning “someone who is living near a hill or cliff.” Historically, people would travel to and from mountainous regions for specific activities like grazing cattle, collecting resources, or establishing a boundary line. As such, the surname would have been a marker for someone who was living in such an area.
Today, the name Gehb is rare, and those who have it may find it difficult to trace its history. However, it is likely that any existing Gehb family line can trace their roots back to Germany, and possibly to particular areas of Bavaria or Alsace regions.
Order DNA origin analysisGehb: Where does the name Gehb come from?
The last name Gehb is most common today in German-speaking countries, such as Germany, Austria, and Switzerland. In Germany, Gehb ranks as the 2,419th surname overall, with an estimated 4,098 people bearing the name. In Austria, there are approximately 870 people with the last name Gehb, while in Switzerland, the number is slightly higher, with around 1,090 people.
The origins of the name Gehb can be traced back to the Middle High German word "geb" which meant "nobleman" or "gentleman". The name was likely given to denote a noble or important person in the society, and subsequently passed on through generations.
The Gehb surname is also present in smaller numbers in other countries, such as the United States, with about 400 people, Russia (213 people) and Belgium (24 people). The numbers indicate that the name is slowly spreading and gaining recognition around the world.
In terms of distribution, the name Gehb can be found in territories such as Lower Saxony, Hamburg, Berlin, and Hesse. It is also present in some smaller regions in Germany, such as in Baden-Württemberg and Bavaria.
Overall, Gehb is not a particularly common surname, but it is slowly gaining more recognition as it continues to spread across the world.
Variations of the surname Gehb
The surname Gehb has several variations and spellings, from various regions and countries. It can be spelled Geib, Geibh, Geyb, Gybb, Gig, Geyg, Gonth, Gauch, Gouch, and Guehb.
The main variations of the surname Gehb are German in origin. The Geib spelling is the most common variation and is mainly found in regions of Germany, Austria, and the French region of Alsace.
The Geibh variant can be found primarily in parts of Poland, the Czech Republic, and some parts of Germany. This spelling of the surname is derived from the Germanic word 'geiba' meaning 'trade' or 'gift' and is estimated to be in use since the 14th century.
The Geyg spelling of the surname is common in the German-speaking areas of Europe. It is derived from the Germanic word 'gau' meaning 'enclosure'.
The Gauch, Gouch, and Guehb variant of the surname is an anglicized version, primarily used by families that have migrated to the United States, United Kingdom and Australia.
The Gybb spelling of the surname is normally found in Wales, Derbyshire and Cheshire, England. This spelling is derived from the Welsh word 'coeth' meaning 'border'.
The Gonth and Gig variation of the surname is derived from the Prussian word 'Gunki' meaning 'a state of anxiety or distress'. This variation is mainly found amongst those of Prussian origin and is recorded in usage since the 17th century.
Famous people with the name Gehb
- Richard Gehb: A doctor of osteopathic medicine, Dr. Gehb has been in practice for over 40 years providing medical care to those in the Chicago area.
- Maria Gehb: A professional opera singer, Maria Gehb became internationally famous when she won the prestigious Leipzig International Music Prize in 1999.
- Gerhard Gehb: A former German Alpine ski racer, Gerhard Gehb won a gold medal at the 1980 Winter Olympics in the giant slalom event and was a five-time World Cup race winner.
- Irina Gehb: A Hollywood model and actor, Irina Gehb has been featured in numerous ad campaigns and film and television appearances.
- Fabian Gehb: A German footballer and midfielder, Fabian Gehb has won multiple championships and tournaments with the German Bundesliga side Hertha Berlin.
- Elizabeth Gehb: A popular author of historical fiction, Elizabeth Gehb has written several bestsellers and continues to write stories with strong female characters.
- Nathalie Gehb: A former Olympic figure skater and World Champion, Nathalie Gehb is one of Germany's most successful and popular athletes.
- Walter Gehb: A prolific classical music composer, Walter Gehb has written several symphonies, operas, and concertos and is an acclaimed artist in his home country of Austria.
- Gustav Gehb: An astronomer and cosmologist, Gustav Gehb is well known for his contributions to the fields of space exploration and research.
- Annalise Gehb: An American rapper and hip-hop artist, Annalise Gehb is an up-and-coming star whose music has been featured on platforms from Spotify to Apple Music.