Surname Siber - Meaning and Origin
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Siber: What does the surname Siber mean?
The last name Siber is of German origin and dates back to at least the 13th century. It is derived from the Middle High German word sîber, which means ‘saber’, referring to a type of long, curved sword. The name is likely to have referred to the occupation of either a swordsman or armorer who made swords. It could also be used as a nickname for someone of a bold or courageous nature, someone “swift as a saber”.
In modern times, the name Siber is mostly used in Germany, Austria, and the Baltic regions such as Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania. It is also known to occur in some parts of Switzerland, France, and the United States, Canada, and Australia. It is estimated that there are currently around 5,000 people who carry the last name Siber.
Siber is thought to have been an occupational or nickname surname, rather than representing a particular family name or specific lineage. Nonetheless, the presence of the surname in a certain area may still be an indicator of the presence of a certain family or clan. For example, the last name Siber is particularly common in parts of southwestern Lithuania, hinting at the likely presence of a specific family originating from this location.
Order DNA origin analysisSiber: Where does the name Siber come from?
The last name Siber is most commonly found in areas of Central and Eastern Europe, particularly in the countries of Germany, Austria, Czech Republic, Poland, Slovenia, Croatia, Bosnia, Hungary, and Serbia. It can also be found in countries such as Italy, France, Netherlands, Spain, Russia, Belarus, Ukraine, Latvia, Lithuania, Estonia, Belarus, Slovakia, and Romania.
Siber is likely derived from an old Slavic word siber (or sibir) which could mean “black” or “dark” as a reference to someone’s hair color. It could also mean that the original bearer of the name had a special bond to wild nature or black animals, such as horses.
In Germany, the surname is most famously associated with the German mathematician Christoph Friedrich Siber (1796 - 1865), who was the first to give an exact formulation of the Cauchy integral theorem. Siber was the leading mathematician of his era and is credited for introducing the notion of mathematical spaces to the world of mathematics.
In Austria, the Siber name is prominently visible in the Tyrolean town of Alpbach and nearby regions. Heavily concentrated Bavarian communities also carry this surname. In Czech Republic and Slovakia, it is found as Sýkora or Sikora.
In the United States, Siber can be found across many states with the surname having been brought to America by immigrants from Central and Eastern Europe, especially between the years 1850–1950. A notable bearer with the surname Siber who made a mark in America is poet and author Charles J. Siber (1902 - 2000), who wrote an autobiography titled “The Brocktons of Salem” in which he recounted the hardships and resilience of his family during the turbulent times of late 19th and early 20th centuries.
Variations of the surname Siber
The surname Siber is believed to be of German origin and is thought to be derived from the word "Siber" which means one who lives by a lake or near water. It is sometimes seen as Sybar, Cybarr, Siberr, and Sibert. It is also sometimes spelled as Sievers, Sybere, Sibere, Siberecht, and Cibere. As migrations increased throughout Europe during the Middle Ages, the surname Siber has taken root in various countries, with variants for each region.
In England and Wales, the name Siber was first recorded in the 19th century, primarily originating in London and Lancashire. Variants of Siber seen in the United Kingdom include, Sibert, Siever, Sybere, Siberet, Cibere, and Cybarr.
In Germany, the surname Siber is more often found in the northern regions. Variants seen here include Sievers, Siber, Syber, Sybere, Siberecht, and Syberet.
In France, the variant Siber can be seen but is relatively rare. Variants that are seen here include Sibere, Siber, Sibert, Siberet, and Syberet.
In Poland, the variant Sibert is seen and is a compound of two given names "Seber" and "Tobias". This variant and its various spellings include, Sibert, Cybarr, Cybar, Cybaret, Cybarett, Sybar, and Sybert.
In the United States, the variant Siber was brought by immigrants, particularly during the 19th century. Variants seen in the United States include, Siber, Sibert, Syber, Sybere, Siberecht, Sybaret, Cybar, and Cybaret.
To sum up, there are many variants, spellings, and surnames of the same origin for the surname Siber. While the variants seen in different regions may differ, they all share the same German roots.
Famous people with the name Siber
- Alexander Siber: German alpine skier
- Jack Siber: US writer of horror fiction and comics
- Matt Siber: American photographer
- Peter Siber: Austro-Czech author 5.「Siber" Brian Simpson: American songwriter and producer
- Will Siber: US celebrity chef
- Garwin Siber: Canadian businessperson
- Robert Siber: Austrian actor
- Viktor Siber: Austrian forensic neuropsychologist
- Marlies Siber: Austrian aquatic biochemist