Surname Reeb - Meaning and Origin
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Reeb: What does the surname Reeb mean?
Reeb is a surname of German origin. The surname is derived from the Middle High German term "rebe", which generally translates to "vine" or "grape vine". As such, the name Reeb may have been an occupational name originally given to a grower of grapes or a vineyard worker. It might also have been a topographic name for someone who lived in a place where vines were grown. Like many European surnames, the spelling and pronunciation of Reeb may have evolved or varied over time and between different regions. It is also worth noting that meanings of surnames can be quite broad and not all individuals with the surname Reeb may necessarily have ancestral ties to grape growing or vineyards.
Order DNA origin analysisReeb: Where does the name Reeb come from?
The last name Reeb is primarily associated with the German-speaking world, though families of this name may have descendants all over the world. The name Reeb has a long-standing history, first appearing as a surname in Germany during the 12th century. It has its roots in the name ‘Roebe’ which translates to ‘robe’ or ‘red cloth’ in English.
In the present day, the last name Reeb is still quite common in Germany and also in some parts of Switzerland and Austria where the German language is still spoken. It is not as common in other countries, although there are small pockets of families carrying this name scattered all over the world, likely descended from German immigrants.
In terms of prominent people with this surname, German actor and director Hans Reeb is probably the most well-known. His works are associated with the New German Cinema movement of the 1960s and 1970s. He is also the great-uncle of the songwriter and pianist Fiona Apple, whose mother’s maiden name is Reeb.
In short, the name Reeb is strongly associated with Germany today, though there are pockets of people across the world who still carry this surname as a result of their German ancestors.
Variations of the surname Reeb
The surname Reeb is a habitational name derived from a place called Reyb in the district of Aschaffenburg in the German states of Bavaria and Hesse. The origins of this name lie in Middle High German, in which the name was spelled as 'Ribe.'
Variants of the surname Reeb include Rheb, Reep, Reib, Reebe, Rebbe, Rab, Raebe, Raib and Räb.
In some cases, the spelling of this surname was altered due to spelling inconsistencies over time, including Reib, Reip, Reif and Reipt.
Other surnames with similar origins include Reiff, Rieb, Riebe, Ryba and Rybinski. The German surnames Rohrbacher and Rohrbacher may also have their origins in this name, as they are derived from the placename Rohrbacher.
The Hebrew variation of this name is רייב.
The German spelling Reeb is most commonly found in the United States, while Reib and Reif are more commonly found in Europe.
Reeb is a relatively uncommon surname, but it can be found in Germany, the United States, Canada, and other countries with populations of people of German heritage.
Famous people with the name Reeb
- Benjamin Reeb: an American professional stuntman who gained extensive media attention when he was part of a medical lawsuit filed against the University of Texas Medical Branch in 2002.
- David Reeb: an Israeli film director, co-creator and co-writer of the popular Tel-Avivian sitcom "The Chicken Ranch."
- Edward Reeb: an American amateur surfer who competed in the 1970 World Surfing Championships, becoming the first American to ever do so.
- Emilie Reeb: a Swiss physicist who made significant contributions to the field of immunological imaging.
- Johann Reeb: an Austrian explorer and geologist who served as a professor at the University of Vienna and explored extensively in Burma and the Caucasus.
- John C. Reeb: a prominent American politician who served as the Speaker of the Iowa House of Representatives in 1974 and 1975.
- Luana Reeb: an American filmmaker who has directed short films such as "The Misfits" and "Butterscotch and Chocolate."
- Simon Reeb: a Swiss filmmaker who was nominated for an Academy Award in 1980 for his documentary "A Day in the Life of Alice and Terry Reeb."
- Terry Reeb: an Australian singer and songwriter who was formerly in the Indie Rock band "The Resistance is Futile" and released an EP of solos entitled "Indecipherable Musings."
- Ulrik Reeb: a Librarian and a German Professor Emeritus at the University of Luxembourg, notable for his writings on natural and information science.