Surname Grebe - Meaning and Origin
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An Unanticipated Journey into History and Self-Realization: The Impact of My iGENEA DNA Test Results
Understanding one's lineage goes beyond learning names and dates; it forms a bridge into our past that shapes who we are in the present. The DNA test at iGENEA was my bridge, revealing hidden chapters of my Grebe ancestors' lives. The discovery of their diverse roots and unexpected historical intersections has enriched my self-perception and knowledge in ways I could have never imagined.
H. Grebe
read moreGrebe: What does the surname Grebe mean?
The last name Grebe can be traced back to German origins. The exact meaning of the name remains a mystery, however it is likely derived from the Old German word grebe meaning ‘crest,’ signifying a person who wore a crest on a helmet or cap. The Grebe surname is seen in parts of Germany, specifically Greater Bavaria, dating back to the 16th century. Throughout its many centuries of existence, the Grebe name has been associated with strength and resilience.
The Grebes were known for being loyal to local rulers and eventually established themselves as respected leaders. Many of them went on to become important landowners and affluent merchants, developing a strong sense of unity within their families. They fought in battles and became successful traders and craftsmen, giving their name a solid foundation in many parts of Europe.
Etymologically, the Grebe last name has also been linked to the great German forest, where being a good hunter was a major skill among the Grebes. In some parts of Germany, the surname also suggests the German word "grebe" which means “cover” and indicates somebody from the coverland or a marsh. In the modern day, the Grebe legacy lives on as a respected family name, associated with strength, nature, and resilience.
Order DNA origin analysisGrebe: Where does the name Grebe come from?
The last name Grebe is believed to have originated in Germany. It is a fairly common surname in Germany, as well as the United States and Canada, where it is derived from German and/or Dutch immigrants.
The Grebe family name has origins in the modern-day German cities of Aachen, Hannover, Wuerzburg, and Nuremberg, and has long been established in the states of Thuringia, Schleswig-Holstein, Saxony-Anhalt, and Bavaria.
The prevalence of the Grebe surname is concentrated mainly in Germany’s north and western regions. In the neighbouring countries of Switzerland, Luxembourg, and the Netherlands, it has also become quite pervasive.
In the United States and Canada, the Grebe family name became significantly more widespread throughout the country with the growth of German immigration in the 1700s and 1800s. Currently, it is recorded as the 2949th most frequently used surname in the U.S. and the 882nd most often occurring family name in Canada.
The Grebe family’s far-reaching history makes it a beloved part of Germany’s rich cultural heritage, an intriguing piece of American and Canadian history, and a unique, prominent relic of the past.
Variations of the surname Grebe
The surname Grebe is an occupational name of German origin, derived from the Middle High German word ‘grebin’ which means ‘heron’. It is associated with an occupation such as the hunting and fishing of herons.
Variants of the surname Grebe include the German ‘Graebe’, the Dutch ‘Greebe’, the Polish ‘Grebi’, the Czech ‘Greb’, the Croatian ‘Grebic’ and the Hungarian 'Grebin'.
Spellings of the surname vary, including Grebe, Graebe, Greebe, Grebi, Greb, Grebic, Grebin and Grebinsky.
Surnames of the same origin include Grebinowicz, Grebler, Greblo, Grebla, Grebowsky, Grebski. Grebaba, Grebacek, Grebal, Grebale, Grebel and Greblowski.
The surname Grebe is still relatively common in Germany, the Netherlands and some eastern European countries. In the US there are also a significant number of bearers of this surname, mostly from German descent.
Famous people with the name Grebe
- Harald Grebe: German politician, member of the Bundestag in Germany, influential in economic policy and the reunification of East and West Germany
- Gregg Grebe: American Triathlon Champion
- Sandy Grebe: American country music singer-songwriter
- Amelia Grebe: Argentine professional surfer
- Ron Grebe: American former professional baseball player
- Frank Grebe: German-American professor of Economics at Yale University and 1920s theorist of the work-sharing idea
- Ortrud Grebe: German actress from Baden, Germany
- Günter Grewe: German former cyclist
- Leni Grebe: German actress, script girl and photographer
- Ernst Grebe: German opera singer
- Hanne Grebe: German sociologist and feminist theorist who specializes in gender, health and social change
- Svea Grebe: German actress
- Johann Grebe: German artist known for his illustrated books