Surname Drebs - Meaning and Origin

Drebs: What does the surname Drebs mean?

The last name Drebs, also spelled Draps, is an ancient and fairly rare Jewish surname found mainly in East and Central Europe. The name probably originated from the Germanic word for "dross," meaning metal refuse, which suggests that the Drebs family was closely linked to the metalworking professions of the Middle Ages. It is possible that one of the Drebs family members was a smith or a blacksmith, and that their name became associated with this profession.

In more modern times, the Drebs family members have immigrated to all parts of the world. Many of them have become involved in various professions, including doctors, lawyers and businessmen. The name Drebs has also been adopted by many individuals who are not members of the Drebs family.

In Hebrew, Drebs is spelled דרעפס and is derived from the Hebrew word for "thread," which signifies interweaving or connection of things. This likely reflects the Drebs family's commitment to family ties and their strong sense of loyalty and community.

While the exact origins of the Last Name Drebs remains a mystery, it has certainly come to represent a long and important history of a proud and devoted family. From the metalworking professions of the Middle Ages to the many modern professions of Schwarziles and Drebses, this ancient name continues to serve as a reminder of how the Drebs family has stayed connected to one another across thousands of miles and generations.

Drebs: Where does the name Drebs come from?

The last name Drebs is a German and Dutch surname that is mostly found in Germany and the Netherlands, though it has spread to other parts of the world. In Germany, Drebs is found throughout the entire country, particularly in the north and the east, with the highest concentration in North Rhine-Westphalia. In the Netherlands, Drebs has a concentration in the eastern part of the country.

Drebs can also be found in countries such as Austria, Switzerland, the Czech Republic, and Luxembourg as well as in countries with high German populations such as the United States, Canada, Australia, and Brazil. Additionally, it is possible to find people with the last name Drebs in France, Poland, Belarus, and Russia.

Drebs is not particularly common today. It was most popular in the late 1800s and 1900s, and has not seen a significant increase in popularity since then. However, due to the widespread nature of the last name, it is still possible to find people with the last name Drebs in the above mentioned countries and regions.

Variations of the surname Drebs

The surname Drebs is a German, Ashkenazi Jewish, and Dutch surname with multiple variant spellings.

In German, the spelling of the surname Drebs is sometimes phonetically spelt Dreps. In Dutch, the spelling of the surname may sometimes be Drep or Drepen. In Ashkenazi Jewish, the name Drebs has various spellings such as Dreip, Dreib, Drebskoy, Dreibl, Dreybl, or Dreibschitz.

The surname Drebs is thought to be of occupational origin and derived from the Middle High German word 'dreipes', which means 'person who works with spindles'. It is also likely to have been a nickname for an individual who liked to spin, thread, or knit.

In Germany, the variant Drebs is most common in the state of Bavaria, mainly around Munich. It is also found in North Rhine-Westphalia, and Lower Saxony. In The Netherlands, the surname Drebin Dutch spelling), is mainly found in the province of South Holland.

The surname Drebs may have been a nickname initially assigned to an ancestor. It is believed that all the surname variants listed here share a common origin and mean "a person who works with spindles".

Famous people with the name Drebs

• Lukas Drebs: Lukas Drebs is a player for the FC Schalke 04, a German football club. He is a defender and was born on February 3, 1995, in Germany.
• Luka Drebs: Luka Drebs is a football player from Germany currently associated with the Slovakian football club AS Trenčín.
• Ivar Drebs: Ivar Drebs is a Norwegian biathlete who competed in the 2014 and 2018 Winter Olympic Games.
• John Drebs: John Drebs was a Swedish professional ice hockey player who played in the 1930s and ‘40s for Brynäs IF and the national team.
• Robert Drebs: Robert Drebs is an American football coach who is the current head coach of the San Francisco 49ers.
• Ricky Drebs: Ricky Drebs is a Professional Tennis Player from Germany who turned pro in 2019.
• Hermann Drebs: Hermann Drebs was an Austrian-born dancer, choreographer and teacher who worked extensively in West Germany as well as in Switzerland and Italy.
• Maximilian Drebs: Maximilian Drebs is a German composer and arranger known mainly for his work in film and television.
• Jakob Drebs: Jakob Drebs is a German professional basketball player who plays for Römerstrom Gladiators of the German Basketball League.
• Karl Drebs: Karl Drebs was an Austrian jurist and civil servant who served as director general of the Austrian National Library.

Other surnames

DrebesDrebing