Surname Sible - Meaning and Origin
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Sible: What does the surname Sible mean?
The surname Sible is of Anglo-Saxon origin and is believed to be derived from the female personal name "Sibilla," which came into England through France in the wake of the Norman Conquest of 1066. Sibilla has its roots in the Greek word "sibylla," meaning a prophetess or fortune teller. This expression was used in the middle ages for women believed to have gifts of prophecy or divination.
As such, it's likely the name Sible adopted by individuals or families residing near a woman famous for these qualities or by a woman bearer of the name. It could also be locational, derived from places in Essex known as Sible Hedingham and Sible Abridge's Kings. It was a common practice to adopt a village, town, or parish name as a means of identification when people moved from their birthplace.
Like other surnames, the spelling altered over the centuries encompassing forms like Sibell, Sybill, Syboll, Sibyll, Sibly, Sibley, and Sible among others. The name Sible carries the values of wisdom, mystery, and prophecy from historical and etymological implications.
Order DNA origin analysisSible: Where does the name Sible come from?
The last name Sible is most frequently found in the US today. According to records from the US census, the surname Sible is most commonly found in states such as Connecticut, New York, and Massachusetts. Generally, the Sible surname is believed to be of English origin.
The Sible surname is thought to have derived from the word ‘sibb’ or ‘sibbe’, which was an old English word meaning ‘relative’. It is likely that the name was originally given as an indicator of kinship, likely to differentiate families from one another.
The Sible family is believed to have been established in the British Isles in the 1400s. Records suggest that the family was found in several Scottish counties as well as Kent in England.
The Sible surname is also found in other parts of the world, although less frequently. Records suggest that the surname is spread across Europe, as well as South Africa, New Zealand, and Australia.
Today, the Sible surname remains relatively common in the US. It appears to be most frequently found in the Northeast, coinciding with the family’s likely origin.
Variations of the surname Sible
The surname Sible is a common English last name with several variants, spellings, and surnames of the same origin. The most common variation of Sible is Syble, which stems from thenickname Sibil, or Sibilla, meaning ‘prophetess.’
The Anglo-Norman surname Sibley is variation of Sible and is derived from the Old French Sibillot, which originally meant ‘prophecy’. Other spellings of Sible include Sebell, Sybell, Sybil, Sybella, Sybelle, Sebille, and Sibylle.
The Scottish and Irish variation of Sible is Sibbald, which originates from the Old English Sibbaldus, meaning ‘bold father.’ The German variation of Sible is Siebold, stemming from the Old German Sibold, meaning ‘wise one.’
The surname Southive is derived from the Old French Siboville, which translates to ‘village of Sible’. Southwood is another common variant of Sible deriving from the Old English word southwode, meaning ‘south of the woods’.
The Polish and Eastern European variations of Sible are Sybilski and Sybilska, which derive from the phrase Sybil, meaning ‘prophecy.’ Other surnames which are related to the Sible surname are Sebo, Seibel, Sivals, and Subin.
Overall, the surname Sible has many variants, spellings, and surnames of the same origin. These variants and spellings range from Old French, German and English, to Scottish, Irish, Polish, and Eastern European, and each variation of Sible has its own unique meaning.
Famous people with the name Sible
- John Sibley: a British actor and director who is most recognized for his role in the 2016 film The Hunter’s Prayer.
- Dru Sibley: an American singer who has performed on American Idol and The Voice.
- Bill Sibley: an American comedian and YouTube personality known for his popular videos and skits.
- Nancy Sibley: an American artist and former art teacher who has had her works displayed in art galleries around the country.
- Layla Sibley: an British actress best known for her roles in various television series.
- Sidney Sibley: a United States Navy officer and a longtime commissioner of the Public Health Service.
- Alan Sibley: an American country music singer and songwriter who is most known for his hit singles "Lonely Woman" and "Just Like a Woman".
- Max Sibley: an Australian musician and producer, best known for his work in producing several albums for various bands.
- Sam Sibley: an American basketball coach who coached at the University of Arkansas.
- Steve Sibley: an American baseball player who played for the Baltimore Orioles in the 1970s.