Surname Neighbors - Meaning and Origin

Neighbors: What does the surname Neighbors mean?

The surname Neighbors is of English origin and is believed to be locational in origin, deriving from the village of Neighbours in the county of Essex. Evidence suggests that the name was also occasionally found in nearby Norfolk in the early 17th century. The derivation of the name is from the old English pre 7th century word 'naebur' meaning 'neighbour' indicating that it was used as a descriptive name for one living close by or in the same village.

The most likely origin of the surname Neighbors is from an individual bearing the same name. It was originally a baptismal name, given to individuals with neighbours as godparents. This particular surname is one of the oldest recorded surnames in England and it has also spread to Scotland, Wales and Ireland.

The earliest recorded reference of Neighbors in English annals is when a successor of the legendary prince of the ancient Britons, Cynvyn, adopted the name Neighbours when he took the throne of the Kingdom of Gwent in 520 AD.

Today the Neighbors surname is well distributed throughout England and is most populous in the counties of Somerset, Wiltshire, Bedfordshire and Oxfordshire. The name Neighbors is also found in predominantly English-speaking countries such as the United States, Canada, New Zealand and Australia.

Neighbors: Where does the name Neighbors come from?

The last name Neighbors is primarily located in the United States of America. There are large pockets of the Neighbors family name in the following states; Texas, Arkansas, Mississippi, and Alabama.

However, the surname has also had a significant presence in other parts of the world. For example, in the United Kingdom, the Neighbors name has been concentrated in the counties of Warwickshire, Derbyshire, and Leicestershire, as well as in London and other major population centers. Additionally, it has been found in Ireland and Australia.

Due to its prevalence in the South and Southeastern United States, Neighbors can be found in cities such as Birmingham, Nashville, Miami, and Atlanta. Specifically, it is most commonly located in small towns like Spring Hill, TN and Arab, AL.

It is believed that the Neighbors surname has German, Irish and English origins, with the most notable divergence coming from the German and Irish branches that often bore a prefix to their name and a more Anglicized version. Other spellings could include Neihbor, Neibor, Nieghbors, Neigbors, Naibor, or Nabor.

The Neighbors surname carries a rich heritage with roots in different cultures and origins. Therefore, although the Neighbors name is most frequently found in the United States, it is one that has traveled all over the world, leaving a lasting imprint on many countries and cultures.

Variations of the surname Neighbors

The surname Neighbors is an English name of Anglo-Saxon origin. It began as a topographic name for a person who lived near a patch of cultivated land or on the outskirts of the parish.

The variants, spellings and surnames of the same origin include Neighbours, Neibor, Neibors, Neiber, Neiberts, Niebourg, Niebur, Neybors, Naybors, Neybar, Neibaur, Neibauer, Niabauer, Neuberger, Neighborg, Neighboring, Neighbours, Neibers, Neiberts, Neibertz, Neybers, Neyberts, Neibourg, Neibours, Neybour, Neybours, Neibrecht and Neibás.

There are also variations of spelling based on regional dialects, such as Neibour, Niburg and Nibourgh in the north-west of England, Niaburgh and Nibourg in Scotland and Niabor in Wales. The name is also seen as Loboy and Loboi in France, Neybaerts in the Netherlands and Neubauer, Neubauerin and Neyböhr in Germany.

Another variation includes people adopting the surname during the 19th century as a result of the English love for wordplay, such as Neighboyce, Neiberton and Neibbitts.

The surname is most commonly found in the United Kingdom and the United States. There is also a concentration of the name in Australia and New Zealand.

Throughout time, the surname has developed many variants, spelling variations and surnames of the same origin. Though the root of the surname Neighbors is traced to England from early times, its exact origin and meanings are still uncertain.

Famous people with the name Neighbors

• Keith Neighbors, actor, producer, and comedian
• Thomas Neighbors, American Revolutionary War patriot and soldier
• Katie Neighbors, NASCAR Xfinity Series Driver
• Kevin Neighbors, professional basketball player
• Thaddeus Neighbors, American Revolutionary War officer and politician
• Sean Neighbors, MLB baseball pitcher
• Meredith Neighbors, singer-songwriter
• Luke Neighbors, professional football player
• Elizabeth Neighbors, author
• Frederick Neighbors, medical doctor and US Navy medical officer
• Tom Neighbors, actor, entertainer, and radio/television personality
• Lydia Neighbors, stage actress
• Carolyn Neighbors, Emmy-nominated producer
• Bonnie Neighbors, country music singer
• Rachel Neighbors, American history professor
• Tory Neighbors, Olympic swimmer
• Dale Neighbors, film and television producer
• Emma Neighbors, television and film actress
• Misty Neighbors, fashion designer
• Agnes Neighbors, contemporary artist

Other surnames

Neighbours