Surname Gebel - Meaning and Origin
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Journey through Time: Discovering the Historical Roots and Cultural Ties of the Gebel Surname via iGENEA DNA Test
The journey into my genealogical history through the iGENEA DNA test has revealed a captivating narrative of my surname, Gebel. Scanning centuries of evolution, migration, and cultural integration, the results paint a vivid picture of my ancestry — one rooted in the mountainous terrains of Germany, imbued with a devout sense of tradition, and intertwined with the complexities of human history.
V. Gebel
read moreGebel: What does the surname Gebel mean?
The last name Gebel is of German origin. It is thought to be either a form of Gabel, meaning "fork," or a variant of Gäbel, meaning "fork, tool to work with." The root of the word likely comes from the Old High German gabala, meaning "spear" or "fork," or from the Middle High German gabel, referring to a small tool to work with.
This surname was likely first used by one who made or sold forks and other tools. Over time, it became a popular surname used by families with ties to the rural areas of Germany. Those who carried the name were often of the peasant class at first, but as the name spread, it came to be used more broadly.
In modern times, the name Gebel, along with its forms such as Gabel and Gäbel, is still found in Germany, as well as in other countries around the world where people of German descent have settled. It is also found among German-speaking populations in the United States.
Order DNA origin analysisGebel: Where does the name Gebel come from?
The last name Gebel is most likely of German origin, with the name coming from a family that was concentrated in the area of Vianden, Luxembourg. Today, the surname is generally found in countries with high German populations, such as Germany, Austria, Switzerland, and the United States.
In Germany, Gebel is generally associated with the eastern and southern regions, though it does appear as far north as Hamburg and Berlin. In Austria, the Gebel surname is most prevalent in the northern parts of the country. There is also a significant presence in Switzerland, especially around the city of Zurich.
In the United States, Gebel can mainly be found in particular pockets of the Midwest, with concentrations in Pennsylvania, Ohio and Wisconsin.
The Gebel surname is also common in some parts of Canada, Peru, and South Africa, though these populations are not as prominent as those in Europe and the US.
It is difficult to estimate how many people carry the Gebel surname today, however, given its prevalence across many countries, it is likely that the numbers are in the thousands, if not more.
Variations of the surname Gebel
Gebel is a surname which may have various spelling variants and related surnames. These variants include Gabel, Gable, Gabell, Gabill, Gables, Gabriell, Gavall, Gebell, Gebill, Gibell, Gibil, Gibils, Gible, Gibles, and Gibrel.
Gabel is the most common spelling variant of Gebel, and may derive from a Germanic personal name Gabal, derived from the words ‘gabil’ meaning ‘distribution’, or ‘gabol’ meaning ‘bargain’. The German equivalent of Gebel is Gabel, which is thought to also derive from the same root.
Gable is the second most common spelling variant and is derived from the Middle English personal name Gabel or Gawel, which is derived from the Old Norse name Gaulfr or Galfar, meaning ‘courageous’ or ‘valiant one’.
Gabell and Gabill are variants of the same origin and are variants of the name Gabrielle, which comes from the Hebrew personal name Gabriel, which is derived from the Hebrew words ‘gabar’ meaning ‘to be strong’ or ‘to be able’, and ‘El’ meaning God.
Gables, Gabriell, Gavall, Gebell, Gebill, Gibell, Gibil, Gibils, Gible, Gibles and Gibrel are all variants of the same origin and most likely derive from either the Germanic given name Gabrielle or from a word of Germanic origin meaning ‘distribution’.
No matter which variant of the Gebel surname is used, it is likely to be of Germanic origin and likely to be derived from either the Hebrew name Gabrielle, Germanic word meaning ‘distribution’, or the Old Norse name Gaulfr or Galfar, meaning ‘courageous’ or ‘valiant one’.
Famous people with the name Gebel
- Gunter Gebel-Williams: legendary animal trainer and entertainer
- Dave Gebel: professional rock climber known for his "link-up" of the Nose Route on El Capitan in Yosemite
- Werner Gebel: German classical composer, music professor, and author
- Ulrike Gebel: German comedian and actress
- Paul Gebel: American bodybuilder, personal trainer, and fitness competition judge
- Gustav Gebel: German zoologist and paleontologist
- Thomas Gebel: German freelance journalist and author
- Nicole Gebel: German biathlete
- Peter Gebel: German actor
- Josua Gebel: German art director and production designer