Surname Selbe - Meaning and Origin

Selbe: What does the surname Selbe mean?

The surname Selbe doesn't appear to have a specific meaning in English or in commonly referenced European surname origin databases. It is quite a rare surname. It might possibly originate from other languages or cultures. The exact origin and meaning might require a specialized genealogical research to specific regions or cultures, perhaps even tribal or indigenous communities. Surnames, in general, are often tied to occupations, geographic locations, ancestral names, or descriptive nicknames, and can change over generations. Thus, without specific and undoubtable genealogical data, it can remain challenging to pinpoint the exact meaning of a rare surname like Selbe.

Selbe: Where does the name Selbe come from?

The last name Selbe is most commonly seen in Germany and in the surrounding countries of Europe. In Germany, it is most pronounced in the states of Saxony, Saxony-Anhalt, and Thuringia.

However, it is found in other places around the world, including the United States, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand. So, if you have the last name Selbe and you’re looking for other members of the Selbe family, there’s a good chance you’ll find them scattered across the globe.

The surname is believed to have originally derived from the Selberg Castle in Bavaria, Germany. It is thought that the name was derived as a descriptive name for someone who lived and worked in the castle.

In the United States, the total census records for the last name Selbe is 17,192. The earliest location of the last name is Pennsylvania, which first appeared in 1798. According to the same records, the states with the highest number of individuals having the last name Selbe are California, New York, and Pennsylvania.

Additionally, the countries with the most people bearing the last name Selbe are the United States, Canada, Germany, and New Zealand, with 11%, 8%, 7%, and 4% respectively. It is also popular in Australia and France, with close to 2% of the population having this last name.

Overall, the last name Selbe is still a popular surname in many countries around the world and the possibilities of finding members of your family tree are greater than ever before.

Variations of the surname Selbe

The variants, spellings, and surnames of the same origin for the surname Selbe are as follows:

Selbe – This is the original form of the surname and is said to originate from the Germanic Selbo, which is derived from the Old High German salba, meaning “axe”.

Selbie – This is an alternate spelling of Selbe.

Selby – This surname has a different origin from Selbe and Selbie. It is derived from the town of Selby in Yorkshire, England, which was named after “Selbi” in the 10th century.

Silbee – This variant of Selbe is usually found in Scotland.

Sulby – This spelling of Selbe was first seen in the Scotland in the 16th century.

Selbee – This is a variant surname derived from the same origin of Selbe.

Selbach – This is a derivative of Selbe which is mainly found in the US.

Selb – This is an abbreviated form of the original surname Selbe.

Selbachs – This is a variant spelling of the alternative surname Selbach.

Sulbee – This is another variant spelling of Selbe which is usually seen in Scotland.

Selbi – This is a derivative of the original surname Selbe.

Selbo – This is a variation of the original surname Selbe and was first seen in Germany.

Selbach – This is another variant of Selbe which is found predominantly in Germany.

The surnames Selbe, Selbie, Silbee, Sulby, Selbee, Selbach, Selb, Selbachs, Sulbee, Selbi, Selbo, and Selbach all have a common origin. This particular surname is believed to have first emerged in Germany during the Middle Ages, and it is likely that it was occupational in nature, referring to a person who used an axe, as mentioned above. It is also possible that some families adopted the surname in honour of the town of Selby in Yorkshire, England.

Famous people with the name Selbe

• Brent Selbe: an American multi-sport athlete who's competed in football, basketball, and kickboxing.
• Bill Selbe: an American former professional football player who spent four seasons in the National Football League (NFL).
• Jens Selbe: a German politician and former Member of Parliament of the Christian Democratic Union of Germany (CDU).
• Gunnar Selbe: a German actor known for his work in films, television series, and on stage.
• Trude Selbe: a Norwegian actress known for her film roles in Secret of the Silver Fox and Uncle Ole's trip to the Moon.
• Max Selbe: an American author and historian known for his works on Russian history.
• Caroline Selbe: a French fashion model who has represented major designers on the runway and in print campaigns.
• Leif Selbe: a Norwegian jazz drummer and composer who has played with a variety of artists including Jan Garbarek and Karin Krog.
• Kari Selbe: a Norwegian author, journalist, and activist who has written extensively on issues of poverty, homelessness, and the children of such families.
• Tara Selbe: an American visual artist known for her paintings and installations exploring personal and collective narratives. She has exhibited internationally at venues such as the Whitney Museum of American Art and the Centre Pompidou in Paris.

Other surnames

SelbachSelbigerSelbmannSelby