Surname Keberlein - Meaning and Origin

Keberlein: What does the surname Keberlein mean?

The last name Keberlein is derived from a Germanic word meaning to grab, grasp, or hold. It was likely used as an occupational name for someone who made handles or mugs or was a craftsman in metalwork. This last name is recorded throughout Europe since the late 19th century and is thought to have originated in what is now the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Austria, and Germany.

The original variation of the name was Kaberlein and can be traced to the Upper Palatinate region of Germany, where one branch of the family settled in the 17th century. Despite its German roots, the name Keberlein has become one of the most common surnames in Hungary. It is an adaptive surname, meaning its spelling has changed multiple times over the last several centuries due to various influences including migration and government-mandated laws.

The Keberlein surname also appears throughout the United States, especially in the Great Lakes region of the Midwest. In the United States, the name is spelled in various forms, including Kaberlein, Keberlein, Kebelin, Kabarlyn, Kaberlin, and even Kyblein.

The Keberlein surname has also carried on in other generations, spreading to other countries such as England and Canada, where it is most commonly found in the form of Keberlein. The name has carried on and remains prominent to this day, carrying the legacy of its Germanic roots.

Keberlein: Where does the name Keberlein come from?

The last name Keberlein is a German surname. Today, it is most commonly found in Germany, especially in the south-western region known as Swabia. In Swabia, cities with higher concentrations of Keberleins include Ulm, Reutlingen, and Aalen.

The Keberlein name is also found throughout the United States, particularly in communities established by German immigrants who arrived in the late 19th century. Cities with substantial numbers of Keberlein descendants include Chicago, Milwaukee, and Detroit. These descendants are primarily descendants of Swabian Germans from Baden-Württemberg.

Those with the surname Keberlein can be found in other countries, primarily in former German colonies such as Argentina, Brazil, Colombia, Peru, and Chile. In South America, there are small settlements of Keberlein descendants in Paraguay and Uruguay. The name can also be found in the Netherlands and in small numbers in Austria, France, Switzerland, and Russia.

The Keberlein name is also found in Australia and Canada, particularly in areas where German immigrants settled. For example, there is a Keberlein Road in Canada's Okanagan Valley, where German-speaking immigrants settled in the late 19th century.

The internet has also allowed modern Keberleins to connect with each other and to trace their family histories. This has enabled some Keberleins to rediscover their roots and learn about their ancestral settlements — particularly those in Swabia.

Variations of the surname Keberlein

Keberlein is a German surname originating from the Upper Franconian region of Bavaria. The general rule is that variations in the Keberlein surname correspond to whatever alternate spelling a family has adopted over time. Depending on the dialect of their native region, members of this family may have surnames spelled as Keberlein, Keperlein, Kapperlein, Kabberlin, Kappelin, Kebelin, Keblein, Kabelin, Kebberlin, Kebelerin, Kebelin, Keblerin, Kibberlin, and Kibblerin.

Variants of this surname have also appeared in different countries such as Austria and the United States. In Austria, spellings may vary according to the region and dialect; examples include Kabler, Kappler, Kebler, and Kiebler. In the United States, alternate spellings of the last name may include Kapilein, Kebberling, Kebblein, Kibelerin, and Kibblerin.

Different countries may have adopted unique nicknames for members of this family as well. In Germany, some common nicknames are Bärleigh, Bärlien, Bärl, and Bärlein which all refer to a variation of Keberlein. The nicknames bear-ly, beary, and berry, are commonly used in the United States instead.

No matter how the last name in the Keberlein family is spelled, the underlying meaning behind the surname is quite consistent across the board. The name itself can be broken down into two words, “Kefer” meaning sickle and “leine” meaning thin line, indicating that the name represents a thin sickle. It is possible that this family name once belonged to a blacksmith who specialized in the forging of sickles.

Famous people with the name Keberlein

• Arthur Keberlein: A former professional American Football player and head coach for the Boston Bulldogs in the 1940s.
• William Keberlein: A longtime military officer and major in the United States Army.
• Brian Keberlein: An American entrepreneur and founder of the online business Rabbitspace.
• Joe Keberlein: A professional soccer player for the Kansas City Wizards in the Major League Soccer.
• John Keberlein: A former professional ice hockey player and part of Team USA at the 1980 Winter Olympics.
• James Keberlein: An artist and sculptor from Kernville, California.
• Lucas Keberlein: A world traveler and philanthropist who supports many causes around the world.
• Rick Keberlein: A former American college football coach and current head football coach at Eastern Oregon University.
• Justin Keberlein: An award-winning musician and composer, known for scoring music for films such as The Alchemist and Recreational Addict.
• Mary Keberlein: A longtime advocate for mental health awareness and a recipient of numerous awards for her work in the mental health field.

Other surnames

Keberle