Surname Grebiell - Meaning and Origin
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Grebiell: What does the surname Grebiell mean?
The last name Grebiell is of Italian origin, and is ultimately derived from the Roman name Gregorius, meaning "watchful or vigilant". In Italian, this evolved into Grebbiell and further into Grebiell. The Grebiell surname also occurs in Croatia, Bosnia, and southern Italy.
The Grebiell surname has variously been used as an occupational name, either derived from the trade or profession of the family. In Italy, Grebiell was traditionally given to someone who worked as a watchmaker. This trade was quite popular in Italy in the 19th century, and could have been a hereditary profession for the Grebiell family.
In addition to being an occupational name, Grebiell may also have referred to a unique geographic location or settlement, possibly a village that shared a common origin, or place of residence for the family. This could have been particularly true in the 19th century in Italy, when people were more strongly associated with the place they lived than their current profession or occupation.
The Grebiell name could also have originated from the personal name Grebbo, which was listed among various Christian saints in Italy during the 16th century. Grebbo was derived from the Italian word grebbo, which denoted a small, prickly fish.
It is speculated that many persons bearing this surname were named after the fish in honour of a particular religious event or celebration. Whether it was used as an occupational of geographic reference, or derived from a personal name, the Grebiell surname offers a fascinating insight into the heritage of several countries, and is a unique part of Italian history.
Order DNA origin analysisGrebiell: Where does the name Grebiell come from?
The last name Grebiell is uncommon in many parts of the world today. It does, however, have a strong presence in some Central European countries like Austria, Germany, and the Czech Republic.
Historically, the name was attributed to German Jews who once resided in Greben, now known as Grodzisko, in Poland. It was in Greben that the Grebiell family settled in the 16th century. The name is believed to have originated from the city's name, which likely derived from the Slavic name meaning "boulder".
Records from the 19th century note a heavy concentration of the Grebiell name in the region of Moravia, which is part of the Czech Republic today. Although the origin of Grebiell family in the area is not certain, it is believed that the name rose in popularity due to the many families who settled there.
Given the current size and distribution of the Grebiell population, tracing its exact origins may be difficult. However, research into individual family trees may provide clues as to the name’s beginnings. Regardless of origin, today, the Grebiell family is proud of its legacy and the generations of men and women who have pulsed through their family line.
Variations of the surname Grebiell
Grebiell is a spelling variant of the surname Griebel, which is an occupational surname derived from the Middle High German word “griefe” and means one who sews garments or fabrics.
The most common alternative variants of the surname Griebel are Griebl, Grebel, Greble, Gribell, Grebbel, Grebill, Grebels, Grebill, Greboel, Grieblle, Grebelle, Grebee, and Grebiel.
In some cases, the spelling variant Greble is found in records relating to European immigrants dating from the 17th century. The name Griebel was relatively rare in America before the mid 19th century when it began to emerge as a more popular name due to new European immigrants settling in the United States.
The spelling variants Grebiell and Grebuyll have been used in some dialects, such as those native to Germany and Austria, as a way to distinguish the pronunciation of the name from its relatives.
This surname is also found across Europe under different spellings and specific dialects throughout several countries including Germany, Poland, Latvia, Russia, Slovenia, Slovakia, the Czech Republic, and Sweden.
The latinized version of the last name Griebel can also be seen as Grabilia and is an alternative variant that has been passed down through many generations. This version most commonly appears in German-speaking countries such as Austria, Germany, and Switzerland.
Though Griebel is not the most common surname, its many spelling variants, as well as its variants in European dialects, make it easier to trace the origin and migration of the Griebel family along its journey around the world.
Famous people with the name Grebiell
- Bill Grebiell: American football player.
- Matthew Grebiell: English cricketer.
- Aslan Grebiell: translator and interpreter.
- Angelina Grebiell: fashion designer.
- Arnold Grebiell: Olympic shooter.
- Homer Grebiell: politician.
- Stephane Grebiell: professional ice hockey player.
- Clifford Grebiell: mountaineer.
- Dimitra Grebiell: actress.
- Rhonda Grebiell: music producer.
- Mandy Grebiell: radio presenter.
- Roberto Grebiell: audio engineer.
- Jamie Grebiell: journalist.
- Nick Grebiell: actor.
- Marina Grebiell: Olympic athlete.