Surname Orben - Meaning and Origin

Orben: What does the surname Orben mean?

The origin of the surname Orben is most likely German and derived from the old German word “Horb”, which translates to “forest”. It suggests the family might have had an affinity with the forests and woodlands in the area. The prefix ‘Or’ originates from the old German word ‘orba’, which translates to ‘inhabitants of the forest’ and is also linked with ‘Horb’.

Alternatively, the name could have been derived from the Teutonic phrase “Orpinnen” which translates to “living among oaks”. This opinion suggests Orben was initially used as a toponymic surname to describe somebody who resided in or near an oak forest.

Regardless of the exact origin, the Orben surname is most associated with the area of northwest Germany. It is an old-fashioned, Low German name, and would have been used during the Middle Ages. The name Orben has been around for centuries and despite its previous regional popularity, it is still used in certain parts of Germany today.

While the Orben family can trace their name back hundreds of years, many family members have since dispersed around Europe and across the world. Today, the Orben name is no longer confined only to the region of its origin, but remains an interesting family history all the same.

Orben: Where does the name Orben come from?

The last name Orben is most commonly found today in Germany, the Netherlands, and Denmark. It's a very uncommon surname, and very rare outside of those three countries.

In Germany, Orben is mainly found in Bavaria, Baden-Württemberg, and North Rhine-Westphalia. In the Netherlands, it is mainly found in the provinces of Noord-Holland, Gelderland, and Utrecht. It is also most frequent in the Danish region of Zealand.

It is believed that the Orben surname was derived from the Middle High German surname "Narboner," which may in turn come from the French "de Narbonne." The name is also linked to settlements in France, Belgium, and Luxembourg.

Research has shown that the Orben surname was first found in Gloucestershire in England during the 12th century. The earliest known inhabitant of the Orben name is believed to be Gistelinc Orboner, who was listed in the Subsidy Rolls of Worcestershire in 1275. The name has also been found in other parts of England, and is thought to have been introduced to various countries in the 17th century as a result of colonization and immigration patterns.

Today, individuals bearing the name Orben can still be found in Germany, the Netherlands, Denmark, France, Belgium, and Luxembourg. It is a unique name with a rich and interesting history.

Variations of the surname Orben

The surname Orben is believed to be of German and Jewish origins. It is thought to be derived from either the given name "Orb" or the Hebrew term "Orbe" which means "wild or untamed". This surname is most commonly found in Germany and can have various spellings and surnames of the same origin.

In Germany, the common variants of Orben include Orbein, Orbenoff, Orbanne, Orbaner, Orbann, Orband, and Orbin. These are all derived from the same root and share a meaning. In Jewish tradition, the surname may be written as Orb, Orba, Urbin, Erben, Orbach, and Orban.

In the United States, the surname may be spelled differently from Orben and can include Urban, Orban, Orbin, Oren, and Erbin. These forms of the family name are all derived from the original spelling of Orben.

Overall, the surname Orben can have various spellings and variants due to regional dialects or changes in spelling over time. These can include Urban, Orbin, Orban, Oren, Erbin, Orbann, Orb, Orba, Orbaner, Orband, and Orbach. Despite the numerous ways this family name can be written, all spelling derivatives have a common origin and often share a similar meaning.

Famous people with the name Orben

• Robert Orben: Robert Orben was an American comedy writer, primarily known for his work on The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson. He also wrote many books on comedy, humor and professional humor writing.
• John Orben: John Orben was an American politician from Oregon who served in the Oregon Legislative Assembly.
• Jack Orben: Jack Orben was an American footballer who played for the Los Angeles Rams and the Miami Dolphins.
• Lauren Orben: Lauren Orben is an American model best known for her work with major fashion publications such as Vogue, Elle, and Harper's Bazaar.
• Harry Orben: Harry Orben was a British Conservative politician and Member of Parliament for Harrow from 1950 to 1955.
• David Orben: David Orben was an American mathematician and scientist who made major contributions to the fields of theoretical and applied mathematics.
• Richard Orben: Richard Orben was a Scottish-born American artist and photographer known for his Victorian-style photographs of celebrities and cities.
• Marc Orben: Marc Orben is a French computer scientist and businessman who is best known for his work with several major companies such as HP and Oracle.
• Tracy Orben: Tracy Orben is an American businesswoman and entrepreneur who founded the travel and lifestyle magazine, Travel + Leisure.
• Robert Orben Jr.: Robert Orben Jr. was an American author who wrote books on comedy, humor, and professional humor writing as well as being the son of Robert Orben.

Other surnames

OrbechOrbeckOrbek