Surname Rebell - Meaning and Origin

Rebell: What does the surname Rebell mean?

The surname Rebell is derived from Old French, which means to "rebel" or "defy". It was typically used as a nickname for a troublesome or argumentative person during the Middle Ages. It is important to note that surnames were often based on an individual's personality traits, occupation, or place of residence during that time. Thus, the Rebell name could possibly also indicate an individual who spoke out against authority or fought against established norms, and not always with a negative connotation. The name could signify one who stands up for their rights or fights against injustice. It can also be used in a metaphorical sense to denote spiritual opposition. It is more prevalent in European countries, specifically in France. Some variants of this name include Rebel, Rebelle, and Rebull among others. Over time, branches of the Rebell family immigrated to various countries and altered the spelling of their surname to better fit the languages of their new homelands.

Rebell: Where does the name Rebell come from?

The last name Rebell is most commonly found in Germany and other German-speaking countries like Austria, Switzerland, and Liechtenstein. Rebell is a popular Germanic surname, likely coming from the Middle High German word "rebig" meaning "ruler of the land." In the early 1700s, the Rebell family migrated to other European countries, including Austria, where their name has been found since.

In addition to Germany and Austria, Rebell is also found in the United States, Canada, England, and other countries with German-speaking immigrants, such as Belgium, Ireland, and Sweden. The Rebell family has grown over the centuries, spreading all over Europe and eventually to the Americas. There are currently an estimated 200,000 people with the last name Rebell worldwide.

Today, the most prominent surname bearer would be the German actor Matthias Rebell, who has appeared in films such as Schindler's List, The Bourne Identity, and Valkyrie. According to records, the Rebell family is strongest in Germany, particularly in Bavaria, where members of the Rebell family are very well-known.

Variations of the surname Rebell

The surname Rebell is one of the many variants, spellings, and surnames of the same origin. The primary spelling of the name is “Rebell”, but other variations may include: Robell, Rebele, Raptel, Rappel, Repel, Reppell, Rabeel, Reble, Rebeee, Repellet, Rebber, Rebbell, Repell, Reple, Rebl, Rappelli, Reblance, Rebbel, Rebllor, Reboll, Reebel, Rupell, Rabel, Rubell, Rabyll, Riblet, Rippell, Reblin, Ribly, Reblong, Repolo, Rupal, Rool, Reblee, Rubble, Robble, and Rafal.

These surnames were originally derived from Germanic terms, such as “hrod” (glory) and “berht” (bright). This could have been a reference to those with a noble or heroic stature such as “hrodberht” (gloriously bright). It could also be associated with “robal” (one who drank too much) or “robe” (refers to the name of a river).

The alternate spellings of the surname Rebell can be found in countries all over Europe, including France (Rebele, Reblance, Rebbel, and Reppell) as well as Germany (Rappel, Reblin, Rebole, Repel, and Reple). Additionally, it can be encountered in Spain (Rabel, Robell, and Repolo), England (Robble) and Poland (Rabyll).

The surname is also known to have appeared in other countries though, such as Hungary, Latvia, and Lithuania.

The origins of the surname Rebell and its variants, spellings, and surnames of the same origin demonstrate the far-reaching heritage of those with this surname.

Famous people with the name Rebell

• Arthur Rebell: American cinematographer
• Dominik Rebell: Austrian professional footballer
• Ray Rebell: American Chief Executive Officer of Tycoon-systems
• Bobby Rebell: American professional basketball player
• Derek Rebell: American retired professional ice hockey player
• Stan Rebell: former Major League Baseball pitcher
• Stan Rebell Jr.: former Major League Baseball player
• David Rebell: former American football punter
• William Rebell: Canadian former professional ice hockey centre
• Azriel Rebell: former English film and television actor

Other surnames

Rebel