Surname Calberlah - Meaning and Origin

Calberlah: What does the surname Calberlah mean?

The last name Calberlah originates from a region now known as Lower Saxony, located in Germany. The name’s root is derived from a combination of two words; kahl (meaning bald) and bergen (meaning mountain). Together, these words created a topographic location description; in German, ‘Calberlah' literally translates to ‘on the bald mountain’.

The Calberlah name is known to be a toponymic or habitation name. These names referred to places of origin and were often derived from the location of the family’s original homestead; in this case the ‘bald mountain’. This type of name was and still is popular in Germany.

The Calberlah family believed that once you were named, you were part of that family for life; this bond was indestructible and could not be broken. As the years went by, the Calberlahs passed down this surname to their children as a way to honor their roots.

Today, the Calberlah name still rings true. It is a reminder of where their ancestors’ journey began; a journey that is still going strong. To the Calberlah family, the bald mountain is a symbol of strength and resilience. This legacy will continue to be carried by the generations who bear its name.

Calberlah: Where does the name Calberlah come from?

The last name Calberlah is not very common today, however it is mostly found throughout Germany. The origin of this name can be traced back to the Latin words “calber” and “lauh” which means either ‘clearing’ or ‘thin wood’.

Some earliest references of this name include villages and towns in Northern Germany such as Calberlah in Lower Saxony and Calberloh in Bavaria. These settlements may have been founded by families with the Calberlah surname. The name appears to also have its roots in the region of Oldenburg, which is located in Lower Saxony.

Today, Calberlah remains a relatively uncommon surname throughout the world. It is estimated that there are only about 200 people in all of Germany with the name. There is some evidence that the name can also be found in the United States, mostly among those of German heritage. In the United States, around 100 people are thought to have the Calberlah surname today.

Overall, Calberlah is not a particularly common surname today. However, it does have a long history that stretches back to its origins in Northern Germany. Those in the United States bearing the name likely have German ancestors who settled in the US long ago.

Variations of the surname Calberlah

The surname Calberlah is a predominant German last name derived from the Middle High German word “Calbere” which means “below” (in this case of a cliff or valley). It is most commonly found in the areas of northern Lower Saxony around the towns of Leer and Cloppenburg. There are several variants, alternate spellings and surnames of the same origin, such as Calbere, Calberlin, Calbern, Kalberloh, Kalberlah, Kalbrun, Kahlbrun, and Kalbrunn.

The variants of Calberlah are mostly phonetic and spelling variations of the original name, such as the original spelling of the name as Calbere. Other variations of the surname which contain the letter “K” are most likely an attempt to adapt the original name into a more Germanic sounding language.

The surnames of the same origin are commonly encountered in northern Germany as a variant of the Calberlah name. These include Calbern, Kalberloh, Kalberlah, Kalbrun, Kahlbrun and Kalbrunn. These surnames are derived from the Middle High German words "Kalbere", "Kalb, Kalberloh" and “Kahlbrun". Calbere or Kalb would be derived from the Middle High German word “Kalber” which translates to “below” the cliff or valley. The name “Kalberlah”, could also be a product of Middle High German and “lah” meaning, “clearing”.

The surname Calberlah is a well-known German surname in the northern German provinces, and its variants, alternate spellings and related surnames are most likely to be encountered in the same regions.

Famous people with the name Calberlah

• Thomas Calberlah: a former politician in Germany who served as a member of the state parliament of Lower-Saxony from 1986 to 1994.
• Richard Calberlah: a former Canadian football player and wrestler who won the CFL Grey Cup in 1981.
• Jürgen Calberlah: a German television cooking show host who is best known for his show “Löffel und Taste”.
• Friedhelm Calberlah: a chemist at the University of Bayreuth, Germany, who has made significant contributions in the field of organic synthesis and electrochemistry.
• Dennis Calberlah: a former professional baseball player who spent four years in the major leagues with the Oakland Athletics, Baltimore Orioles, and Toronto Blue Jays.
• Clifford Calberlah: a former professional soccer player who played for the American Professional Soccer League team the San Diego Nomads.
• Gerhard Calberlah: a German painter and sculptor active in Germany and France since the 1960s.
• Ludwig Calberlah: a 19th-century German organ builder who designed and built instruments for churches throughout Germany.
• Hans Calberlah: a German archivist, philologist, and historian who was active in the early 20th century.
• Kurt Calberlah: a German educator best known for his work in the field of mathematics education.

Other surnames

Calberla