Surname Groeber - Meaning and Origin
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Groeber: What does the surname Groeber mean?
The last name Groeber is of German origin and is derived from the town of Kroenau, now located in modern-day Croatia. The town was historically part of the old region of Styria, located in present-day Austria and Slovenia.
The name Groeber likely would have been borne by a wealthy family living in or near the town of Kroenau at some point in history. It is a name that reflects a certain degree of prominence and economic standing in the local community because the name is derived from the old name of the town.
Groeber is a relatively common German name, with many families bearing the name today. The name has spread across Europe and into North America, where it is found in places as far-flung as Australia and New Zealand.
The meaning of the last name Groeber itself is not known for certain, though it might refer to a person or family that owned, or was connected in some way to, a mountain or hill near Kroenau. Alternately, it could refer to someone associated with a granary, or to someone from a hill or mountain pass. It could also simply mean “from Kroenau," referring to a family that originated from the town.
Order DNA origin analysisGroeber: Where does the name Groeber come from?
The surname Groeber is not particularly common today and is found most often throughout Europe, particularly in the regions of Germany, Austria, and Hungary. There is also a small presence of the name in the United States, Canada, Israel, and Australia.
The surname is a variation of the German name “Grobecker” which is derived from the Middle High German “grobec” which is linked to the word “groben” meaning “to dig.” This likely indicates the occupational origin of the name, with people bearing the surname likely originating from a career involving excavation or digging.
The current estimated population of the Groeber surname is estimated to be 8,937 individuals, mostly located in Germanic-speaking countries such as Austria, the Czech Republic, Germany, and the Netherlands. It is also found in smaller numbers in countries such as Hungary, Switzerland, and the United States.
In the United States the Groeber surname is uncommon, with the largest concentrations within a single state being located in Minnesota, Texas, and California. It is also estimated that there are around 3,400 individuals living in the United States who bear the Groeber surname.
Variations of the surname Groeber
The surname Groeber has many variants, spellings and surnames of the same origin. These include Groberger, Groebner, Grobner, Grobber, Graeber, Graaber, Grauber, Greber, Grebber and Grebner.
The origin of the surname Groeber is German. It is from an occupational name derived from the Middle High German “groebe”, meaning a worker in metal. In German records, the surname is usually found in the forms Groeber, Groberger, or Groebner. The forms Graeber, Graaber, and Grauber are more frequently found in German speaking areas of Austria, Switzerland, and Liechtenstein.
The surname Groeber is also found in other European countries that were formerly part of the German speaking states. In Dutch, the surname is spelled Grobber, Grobner, or Grobener. In the Scandinavian countries, it is found with spellings such as Greber, Grebber, and Grebner.
In the United States, the surname Groeber began to appear in the nineteenth century when waves of German immigrants arrived. During the nineteenth and early twentieth centuries, these early immigrants often anglicized their names in the process of adapting to their new home. This resulted in many of the variants and spellings listed above being used interchangeably.
Today, the surname Groeber is found all throughout the United States and in many other countries around the world. In spite of its many variants, this family name remains rooted in its German origins.
Famous people with the name Groeber
- Mark Groeber: music producer, songwriter, and artist.
- Robert Groeber: luthier and Tibaldi's principal guitar maker.
- Ronald Groeber: American author, illustrator and theatre designer.
- Bonnie Groeber: former American tennis player.
- Harry Groeber: American League umpire between 1902 and 1905.
- Irv Groeber: Canadian animator, film director, production designer, storyboard artist, and character designer.
- Emil Groeber: German classical archaeologist who studied the art and relics of ancient Greece.
- Ruth Groeber: German Olympic figure skater who competed in the 1976 Winter Olympics.
- Al Groeber: former American professional basketball player.
- Joanne Groeber: American professional wrestler and manager.