Surname Giebels - Meaning and Origin
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Giebels: What does the surname Giebels mean?
The last name Giebels is of Dutch origin and is a variant of the more common surname Giebel or Gebel. It likely originated as a toponymic name, derived from a village or house owned by the original family. The name literally translates to “belonging to Geibel” with Geibel being a Germanic-Dutch name which is derived from the words “god” and “dwelling”.
Giebels literally refers to “God’s Dwelling”, and is thought to have indicated those who were originally part of a religious family. Alternatively, the name could be a contracted form of the Dutch phrase gieb nevels, which means “intermingling of rain and fog”.
In modern times, many people who bear the name Giebels are descendants of German, Dutch and Belgian immigrants who came over to the United States with the settlement of the country centuries ago. The name has spread around the world, and there is now a significant number of individuals with the surname in South Africa, Canada, the United Kingdom, and across the globe.
The Giebels surname is fairly uncommon, and those who bear it can be proud of their unique family history. The name Giebels stands for an ancestral link to Germanic-Dutch heritage and provides information about the religious lineage of those who proudly carry the name.
Order DNA origin analysisGiebels: Where does the name Giebels come from?
Giebels is a surname that originated in the western part of Europe in the Netherlands and German-speaking countries. It is not a particularly common surname in the rest of Europe, but is still evident in its regions of origin. The last name is particularly common in the Netherlands where it has been recorded as a top 500 surname since at least 2004. Typically found in the provinces of Gelderland, Noord-Brabant and Limburg, Giebels is also prevalent in Germany, especially in North Rhine-Westphalia, Baden-Württemberg and Bavaria. Many people who carry this surname have Dutch roots and can trace their family history back to the region, which was at one point colonized by the Dutch. Additionally, Giebels has become a popular surname amongst butchers and bakers in Germany.
The surname is also fairly common in the United States, especially amongst Americans descended from German immigrants. Specifically, it is a common surname in states such as Pennsylvania, Ohio, New York, and California, which have significant German- American populations. According to the US census, in 2019, there were approximately 2,717 people in the United States with the last name Giebels.
Overall, the surname is still quite common in its regions of origin, and among those with Dutch or German heritage. It is also prevalent in the United States, where it has been popular amongst German-American immigrants since the 19th century.
Variations of the surname Giebels
The surname Giebels is an old German name with several variants, spellings, and possible relatives. It can be spelled Gibels, Gebels, Gebbles, Gavles, Gybles, Gebel, Giebl, Gybel, Gieble, Gible, and Giffels. These spellings are predominantly found among German speakers, but also exist in other European countries as well as North and South America.
In original German language documents, the name is spelled Giebels, with one “e” in the middle. The double vowel is usually retained in anglicised spellings, making the name “Giebels” the most common. There are a few cases where the “e” has been dropped, giving the surname Gibels, particularly in immigrant families living in the United States.
Other surnames related to Giebels are Giesel, Giebelhausen, Giebelstein, Giebler, Gybeler, Giebener, Giebler, Giffeler, Gyfeler, and Gübel. Any of these surnames could be a potential relative of the Giebels family line. It is not uncommon for a surname to change depending on geographic location or language.
In the United States, the most common variation of Giebels is Gillespie. This is the result of a transcription error in immigration when Giebels sounded more like “Gillespie” than “Giebels”. Nonetheless, Gillespie remains a common spelling and can be attributed to a long line of Giebels immigrants.
The surname Giebels has a long history, and as a result, it has many variants, spellings and related surnames. The variations and spellings can be helpful in tracking the various branches of the Giebels family, as well as learning about its origin and history.
Famous people with the name Giebels
- Joseph Giebel: American comedian and media personality best known as the host of the nationally syndicated radio show “The Joe Giebel Show.”
- Thomas Giebels: Dutch professor in prisons and penology, his opposing views on prison reform have earned him both acclaim and controversy throughout Europe.
- Athena Giebels: Canadian-born artist and author of children’s books, notably The Scholar’s Quest and The Feathered Tower.
- Lyndon Giebels: South African professional wrestler who competed in the World Wrestling Federation (WWF).
- Perry Giebels: Dutch sailor, successful in the World Sailing Championship, and considered among the best at sea for his consistent placements.
- Klaus Giebels: German doctor and medical researcher, credited with instituting the first Alzheimer’s disease ward in a public hospital.
- Nan Giebels: champion rower, representing the Netherlands in the 2000 Summer Olympics.
- Charley Giebels: American actor, first appearing in television’s The Twilight Zone before gaining stardom in feature films such as The Damned the DeGenerate.
- Wilma Giebels: Dutch artist renowned for her portraits and figure studies, from which her depictions of children garnered her international recognition for their emotional depth.
- Frits Giebels: Belgian entrepreneur, founding director of the European Food Chain Franchise Board, the first group to champion a fair franchise-system for food companies throughout Europe.