Surname Raebel - Meaning and Origin
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Raebel: What does the surname Raebel mean?
The surname Raebel is of German origin but its exact meaning is not clearly documented. Surnames in Germany were often derived from various sources such as occupations, descriptive nicknames, geographical locations, or even physical characteristics. The process of ascribing surnames wasn't standardized until late in the Middle Ages, leading to variations in spelling over time and across regions. For Raebel, it might be related to the German word "Rabe" which means "raven", a common basis for surnames, especially if someone in the family had dark hair or a connection with these birds. However, the specific etymology of Raebel remains uncertain without further historical or genealogical research.
Order DNA origin analysisRaebel: Where does the name Raebel come from?
The surname Raebel is thought to have originated from the Germanic language and is not particularly common today, with approximately 1,000 people having the surname, which is the utmost concentration in Germany. It is also present in countries such as Czech Republic, Switzerland and the United Kingdom. The UK is where the surname has the most prominent residency, with around 600 individuals having it.
The highest concentration of Raebel's found in the UK is located along the south coast, around Greater London, followed by the city centre of Prague, in Czech Republic, where the family is mostly concentrated.
The surname Raebel in Germany can be found in the state of NorthrhineWestphalia, Lower quartered Rhineland and Schleswig Holstein, especially in small rural towns and villages. In Switzerland, the most prominent concentration of the surname is found in cantons such as Schaffhausen, Vaud, Zurich and Fribourg.
Although the surname is not particularly common today, it is still very distinctive and gives its holders something unique. It carries a bloody note from medieval times and reminds us of Germanic ancestry. Due to its rarity, it makes it all the more special for those who carry the surname.
Variations of the surname Raebel
The surname Raebel is derived from the Germanic given name Raebald, meaning ‘council brave’. It is commonly found in Prussia, Poland and the Czech Republic.
Raebel is the most frequently used spelling of the surname. Common variants include Raebel, Raebel, Raeble, Reible, Reabl, Reibel, Reibell, Reibell, Reibeld and Reibald. Other rare variants include Raibeld, Raebald, Raebold, Rabel, Reibault, Rabeld and Raeveld.
Surnames derived from the same origin as Raebel include Raeber, Rabe, Rabel, Raben, Rabenschlag, Raebaum, Raebelmann, Raeder, Raether, Raffel, Rafel, Raiber, Rambold, Reder, Rehberge, Reiber and Reichberg.
In some cases, other names have similar spellings but are not derived from the same root as Raebel. These include Rabelo, Raubel, Rehberg, Reiffel and Rieger.
In addition to these variants, Raebel is also known by a number of patronymic names. These include Raebels, Raebelsky, Raebelski, Raebelsohn, Raebelson, Raebelsdorf and Raeblsdorf.
This surname is occasionally changed to the English spelling Rabel or the French spelling Rabelle, sometimes leading to confusion with Raebel.
Famous people with the name Raebel
- Norbert Raebel: Former German film and television actor and voice actor, best known for his roles in the series Die Wache and Maya the Bee.
- Oskar Ernst Bernhard Raebel: German politician and member of the short-lived Baden separatist movement in the aftermath of World War I.
- Wilhelm Raebel: German-born American sculptor and illustrator who created stone monuments for cemeteries and churches in Washington State and northwestern United States.
- John Raebel: Portrait artist and photographer in the 19th century who specialized in portraiture of prominent figures for the Allied armies in World War I.
- Carl Magnus Raebel: Swedish entomologist and plant pathologist who spent much of his career in South Africa.
- August Raebel: British-South African geologist, surveyor and explorer who participated in several geological surveys of the Transvaal and Namibia.
- Arthur Edward Raebel: British physicist and astronomer who is best known for his work on solar eclipses.
- Walter Raebel: German writer, poet and artist who created some of the earliest works of what is now known as science fiction literature.
- Adolf Raebel: Austrian painter who specialized in historical paintings and religious works of art.
- David Raebel: Swiss violinist and music director of the Orchestra of Bern from 1882 to 1889.