Surname Tebus - Meaning and Origin
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Tebus: What does the surname Tebus mean?
The last name Tebus, with origins dating back to the early 15th century in Europe, is derived from the German word Tebben, which means “one who is small, slim and humble.” It is believed to have been used as a nickname for someone of short stature with a slender frame. Over time, the surname has been spelled in various ways like Tebus, Tebbens, Tebben, Tebbes and Tebbems.
The Tebus surname and its variants can still be found in the areas of Germany, Netherlands, and the United Kingdom. It is also found in the United States and Canada as a result of immigration from the countries of origin.
The Tebus family crest carries into modern times hints of its original significance: a white field, striped with the blue of humility, and a small shield, emblazoned with a tree branch covered in foliage. It serves as a reminder of the family’s humble beginnings, and symbolizes their continuing tradition of respect and kindness for all who cross their paths.
More than just a surname, the Tebus family is well-known for its commitment to helping others, providing compassion and support to those in need. The Tebus family is also known for its loyalty, with many generations of Tebus family members coming together to take care of one another.
The Tebus surname is still strong today, with hundreds of members of the family living on in various countries all over the world. Though its roots may be in humility, its branches stretch far and wide, peacefully and lovingly, into many different cultures, countries, and generations.
Order DNA origin analysisTebus: Where does the name Tebus come from?
The last name Tebus is most commonly found among Jewish immigrants from the former Soviet Union who moved to Israel in the late 1980s and early 1990s. The root of the name, Tebus, is likely derived from the Hebrew word, "te'abso" meaning "measure," indicating that the original ancestor with the Tebus name was likely measured or tested for something. Other records suggest that the name is a variation of the Yiddish name, Thabes or Tebez. During World War II, many Jewish families from the region of Ukraine would have adopted this name to hide their identity.
Today, the Tebus last name is mainly concentrated in Israel where it is estimated to account for at least 0.2% of the population. The frequency of Tebus in Israel makes it one of the top-300 most common last names, although it is less common than the reported top name in Israel, "Levi." It makes sense that the Tebus surname is concentrated in Israel, considering that it is a relatively modern name and many of the families that adopted it moved there to seek refuge during the 1980s and 90s.
Tebus is also increasingly found in the United States today, particularly in large metropolitan areas such as Los Angeles, San Francisco, New York City and Miami. However, it remains much less common than its derivatives in the United States, the Thabes and Tebez, which have been present in the country since at least the early 20th century. Generally, though, the last name remains an uncommon one.
Variations of the surname Tebus
The surname Tebus is of German and Jewish (Ashkenazic) origin, and is most likely related to the personal name Tobias. Variant spellings of the surname include Tabus, Tebuse, Tubus, and Teboo. It is also known as Tebosh or Tabash in some Ashkenazic circles. It is also related to the surnames Tobus, Tobash, Tebow, and Teboe. In some instances, the name is spelled Tebus, Tubors, Tabus, Tabors, Dubus, Dubos, Tobus, Tobash, Tebbes, and Tebbash.
The variation of the origin of the surname is likely due to the spelling conventions in the areas where the families lived. In Germany, the family often spelled their name “Tebus”, whereas in Eastern Europe it was rare for the family to spell their name “Tebus” but for some families the spelling changed to “Tebose”. In some cases, the spelling of the surname changed based on the region, as some families opted to spell their name “Tobus” or “Tubes”.
In the United States, Tebus is also an anglicized version of the surname and is often seen as Tebow, Teboe, or Tabash. It is also possible that the spelling differences of the surname may be related to other cultures. For example, in the Middle East, Jewish families often spell their names “Tebus”, while in the Romance languages, the surname may be seen as “Tabus”.
Regardless of regional spelling conventions, the root of the surname Tebus is likely to be found in the Germanic personal name Tobias.
Famous people with the name Tebus
- Björn Tebuse, German footballer
- Piet Tebus, Dutch painter
- Ulla Tebus, Danish author
- Lena Tebus, Canadian radio host
- Kurt Tebus, Austrian photographer
- Sherice Tebus, British chef
- Carlyn Tebus, American clothing designer
- Karl Tebus, Swedish businessman
- Mark Tebus, Belgian politician
- Ernie Tebus, Australian cartoonist
- Clair Tebus, South African civil rights activist
- Avni Tebus, Turkish lawyer
- Claude Tebus, Spanish environmentalist
- Utah Tebus, English teacher
- Maggie Tebus, Welsh medical researcher