Surname Rübe - Meaning and Origin
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Rübe: What does the surname Rübe mean?
The last name Rübe is a German name, derived from the Middle High German word 'rube', meaning 'turnip'. It is believed to have originated as a nickname for someone who was a gardener or farmer, or were particularly fond of turnips. It is likely that it later became a family name, when hereditary surnames were adopted by Europeans in the late Middle Ages.
The name Rübe could also have Germanic origins, coming from the Middle High German word 'rebe', meaning 'branch' or 'twig'. In this case, one would interpret the name to have been given to someone in the community, likely as a nickname, who was a woodcutter or showed an aptitude for woodworking.
In more recent years, the name Rübe has also come to signify a family who has come from the region of the Rhine. In this sense, the name indicates a connection to this particularly symbolic river, and the communities that sheltered along its banks generations ago.
However, whatever the original interpretation of the name Rübe may have been, it is now firmly established as a family surname in the German language, and found in many countries throughout the world.
Order DNA origin analysisRübe: Where does the name Rübe come from?
The last name Rübe is most commonly found in Germany today. It is derived from the German word for turnip, and referred to a person who either grew or sold turnips as a principal source of income. Alternately, it may have referred to a person's physical characteristics or a place name.
The surname is particularly common in the north and northwestern areas of Germany. It can also be found in the Netherlands, Belgium and Switzerland, primarily in regions that border Germany. Occasionally, it is found in the United States, usually among those of German descent who immigrated to the United States in the nineteenth and early twentieth centuries.
The Rübe family is known to have participated in many aspects of German life during the nineteenth century, particularly in the business of farming and related agricultural pursuits. They were also involved in politics, education, and the military.
The Rübe name continues to be prevalent in Germany today, where many still embrace their German heritage. Some families have retained the original Rübe spelling throughout the centuries, while others have adopted alternative spellings including Ruebe, Rupe, Rube, or Rubi.
Variations of the surname Rübe
The surname Rübe has a number of variants, spellings and surnames of the same origin.
The most obvious spelling variation of the name Rübe is the German spelling, „Rube‟. This is an alternate spelling of the name that is most common in German-speaking countries.
Other variants of the name Rübe include the Czech designations „Rub‟ and „Rubý‟. These are the traditional spellings used by Czech-speaking populations.
In the Netherlands, the surname Rübe often appears as „Roob‟ or „Roo‟.
In English-speaking regions, the surname Rübe is sometimes spelled „Rube‟, „Roob‟, or „Roo‟.
In Denmark, the surname is often written as „Ruben‟.
Surnames of the same origin as Rübe include Rupp, Rubach, Ruback, Rubel, Rüb, Rubert, and Rübel. These surnames are all derived from the Middle High German root word „rube‟ which means „reddish-brown‟. It is thought that these surnames were first used as a reference to people with a red-brown complexion or hair color.
Famous people with the name Rübe
- Jaques Rübe: professional skier who competed in the 1922 Winter Olympics
- Karl Rübe: German doctor who invented the Rübe seedling, a method of propagating plants from root divisions
- Peter Rübe: German fighter ace in World War II
- Franz Rübe: German-American painter who focused on religious works
- Karl Theodor Rübe: German composer of operas and theater music
- Kurt Rübe: German actor who was active from 1928–1945
- Günther Rübe: German actor, winner of the Bavarian Film Awards in 1966
- Johannes Rübe: German professor of Church History
- Katharina Rübe: German-born author and actress
- Johannes Rübe: German Sorcerer and Philosopher from the 1600s