Surname Neber - Meaning and Origin
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Neber: What does the surname Neber mean?
The last name Neber is thought to be German or Ashkenazic Jewish in origin. In both cases, it is thought to be derived from the Hebrew word ‘נֶבֶר’ which means a candlelight. In German, the ending ‘er’ is popularly used to indicate a person involved in a particular trade or occupation, and so the name came to refer to someone who worked at a candlemaker’s shop or had some other connection to the making of candles.
The surname Neber was quite common in Germany in the 18th and 19th centuries, and can be found mostly in cities around the Rhineland area. In some cases, the family may have been Jewish, and the name may have come from the Hebrew word for a bird, ‘נָבַר’. The Ashkenazic Jewish tradition gives a special status to the family name, which may have been inspired by the story of a man called Neber from the book of Genesis, who saved his community from a drought by offering up a candle as a prayer.
Today, the Neber surname is still quite common around the world, and its meaning has been preserved. It is an example of how culture and religion influence the origin of family names, showing how a simple word can become far more meaningful with time.
Order DNA origin analysisNeber: Where does the name Neber come from?
The last name Neber is relatively uncommon today, with its primary geographic distribution being located in Germany. Neber is a German surname derived from the middle-high German word "neben," which means near or close by. This suggests that the original bearers of the Name Neber were people that lived or worked near one another, potentially in a small hamlet or rural village.
As of 2020, OnlineGbnnames.org estimates that there are 12,404 individuals currently living with the Neber surname, spread across 6 countries. Germany is the country with the highest population of Nebers, hosting 95.2% of the total population. Other countries hosting a population with the Neber last name include Austria, Denmark, Switzerland, Liechtenstein, and the Netherlands.
Despite being a relatively rare surname, Neber is still recognizable in parts of Germany due to its strong presence there. Moreover, its distinct roots and geographic focus create a unique opportunity for those with the Neber surname to trace their family history or find relatives with similar last names.
Variations of the surname Neber
The surname Neber or Neiber is derived from the German language. It is a topographic name for someone living by a river or stream, from Middle High German ‘niwern’ (‘nevern’) or ‘niüwer’. The name may also have originated from the Slavic word ‘Neber’ which means ‘(playing) near a river’.
Variations and spellings of the surname Neber include:
Nabar, Neifer, Neifert, Neiferts, Neifers, Neiber, Neibers, Neubauer, Neuber, Neuberg, Neufeld, Niuffer, Nöber, Noefer, Nöffer, Nopper, Nyberg, Nüffer, Nyfelder, and Nyffer.
Surnames with similar origins include Neff, Neffer, Neffert, Neffler, Neufer, Neuger, Neugers, Neuhaus, Neumann, Neumayer, Neuner, Nieberding, Nieberger, Niebler, Nieder, Niederleitner, Niedermeier, Niedert, Niederwimmer, Noe, Noerr, and Nork.
The variations of the surname Neber are found throughout Europe, particularly in Germany and Austria. It has been documented since the 12th century in various records and documents in those areas. Many immigrants with this surname have moved to different countries, including the United States, Canada, and Australia.
Famous people with the name Neber
- David Neber: movie producer known for his work in independent films like “Patti Rocks” and “Eugene’s Room”.
- Alan Neber: American baseball player who pitched for the Atlanta Braves and was a member of the 1971 National League Champions Houston Astros.
- Barry Neber: former advertising executive who served as Chairman & CEO of Omnicom Group, one of the world’s largest advertising holding companies.
- Richard Neber: entrepreneur and venture capitalist who is regarded as the founder of the Neber Group and co-founder of both Kiva Systems and StumbleUpon.
- Alexander Neber: scholar and professor of history at the University of Bern in Switzerland and author of several books, including “The Origins of Modern Spain” and “Europe in the Age of Revolution and Reaction”.
- Michael Neber: painter and illustrator based in Berlin and known for his use of minimalistic motifs and saturated colors.
- Arline Neber: actress and singer who was a member of the early Broadway cast of “Funny Girl” and her career included featured roles in numerous television shows and films such as “Rancho Deluxe” and “The Geisha Boy”.
- Marc Neber: attorney and president of Neber Legal Services, a firm known for representing criminal clients and other individuals in the legal system.
- Harry Neber: German-born American aerospace engineer and the recipient of the 1997 award from the National Advisory Committee for Aeronautics for his work on the development of aerodynamic design codes.
- Hans Neber: Swiss painter and sculptor, noted for his drawings of rural and urban scenes, often featuring characters from his native country.