Surname Sobel - Meaning and Origin

Sobel: What does the surname Sobel mean?

The last name Sobel is an Ashkenazi Jewish name of German, Polish, or Czech origin. The surname derives from the Yiddish word sobal, meaning 'tailor', indicating that the initial bearer may have had an occupation in the tailoring or clothing industry.

Sobel or Zobel is also thought to have evolved from the German Sohl and the Czech Zoul. It is the 37th most common Jewish surname, with the Sobel variant being the more common of the two.

Historically, the Sobels were loyal to the imperial government and served as civilian brokers and bankers in the Habsburg Empire during the 17th century. During this time, there were Sobels who managed imperial estate lands and salt mines in north and east Hungary.

Sobels are spread throughout Central, Eastern, and Northern Europe, with the largest presence in Germany, Austria, Switzerland, and Liechtenstein. In the United States, Sobel is most commonly found in and around New York City, the Capital District in Upstate New York, and in California's Bay Area.

Those with the surname may have the Hebrew blessing 'Shekhinah Kohen Zobel' or 'Shekhbalo Kohen Zobel' inscribed on their tombstones, an honor given to male descendants of former temple assistants and guardians.

Sobel: Where does the name Sobel come from?

The last name Sobel is mostly found in North America today, particularly in the United States and Canada. Although this name does not appear in the top 1000 surnames within either country, it is not rare, as it appears in the top 10,000 surnames in both.

Within the United States, the last name is most common in New Jersey, where it appears in the top 1000 surnames, although it does not rank particularly high. Outside of the U.S., Sobel is most common in Israel, where it has long been a popular Jewish surname.

In the United States, Sobel is largely an Ashkenazi Jewish surname, but there are also non-Jewish Sobels living in the country. The majority of these people, however, are likely descended from Jewish immigrants who settled in North America in the late 1700s and 1800s.

Outside of North America, Sobel is found mainly in Europe and Israel, with particularly large populations in Germany, Austria, and Poland. It is also sometimes found in Western countries such as Australia and New Zealand, usually as a result of more recent emigration from countries like Israel.

Overall, the last name Sobel is not common all over the world, however it is by no means rare. Through a combination of Jewish immigration to North America and Europe, as well as more recent emigration, the Sobel name is unlikely to disappear any time soon.

Variations of the surname Sobel

The surname Sobel is a Jewish surname originating from the Jewish Ashkenazi communities of Eastern Europe. It derives from the Yiddish word 'soval', meaning 'grave', which indicates that the Sobel family are descended from a cemetery sexton.

Variant spellings include Sabel, Sobol, Sobele, Szobel, and Zhobel. A number of variants of Sobel exist among Eastern European Jews, particularly in Hungary, Ukraine and Belarus. These include Szobol, Zabel, Zobel, Tsabel, Tsobel, Chobel and Sobol. There are also a number of variants of the surname among Italian Jews, including Sabella, Sabellas and Sabelli.

Surnames derived from the same origin as Sobel include Sabelman, Sabelnik, Sabelov, Sobelman, Sobol, Sofel, Sofel-Kloz, Soloman, Stabel, Steibel and Steinberg. While the latter is not an Eastern European-style surname, it could be derived from the same root.

In conclusion, the Benjamin Sobel and its variants are extremely common, with families that date back to Jewish families of Eastern Europe. There are many variants of the surname throughout Europe, as well as a number of surnames that are related to it. These can be used to trace the family's lineage and heritage.

Famous people with the name Sobel

• Aaron Sobel: American television producer and screenwriter
• Andrew Sobel: American author and advisor to executives
• Ben Sobel: American journalist and media entrepreneur
• David Sobel: American family therapist and author
• Jordan Sobel: American computer scientist
• Joshua Sobel: American actor
• Judith Sobel: American television writer and producer
• Mira Sobel: American yoga teacher and founder of haveband
• Randy Sobel: American lawyer and legal commentator
• Richard Sobel: American sociologist and political scientist

Other surnames

Sober