Surname Koebel - Meaning and Origin
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Koebel: What does the surname Koebel mean?
The origin of the last name Koebel (or Köbel) is German. It is derived from the Middle High German word "kobel," which means a simple, open barge or boat. Historically, the name was commonly given to someone who worked as a boatman, ferryman, fisherman, or seaman. This is evidenced in old church records, where the occupation of such a person is sometimes indicated along with a record of a marriage or birth. The surname is also a common Jewish name stemming from Koebelitsch, which is a German variant for the Jewish name Kobelsky.
Today, the surname is still in use in Germany, as well as in other countries where German culture influenced language and customs. People bearing the surname Koebel are believed to share a common ancestor who flourished during the medieval times, although exact records of all branches of the family have been lost over time.
For most modern bearers of the Koebel name, the primary associations are with the German people and their culture. This is likely due to the history of the surname, as well as its continued presence in Germany many generations later. It is also possible that some bearers of the Koebel name are descended from European immigrants to the United States, following various waves of German immigration throughout 19th and 20th centuries.
Order DNA origin analysisKoebel: Where does the name Koebel come from?
Koebel is a German surname and one of the many family names of German, Swiss, and other origins that make up the fabric of modern day Germany. Although the name is German in origin, today the name is found in several countries around the world. In the United States, the name is primarily found in the state of Ohio. The US Census Bureau has reported that in 2020, the state had the highest concentration of people with the last name of Koebel, with over 2,300 individuals living in the state. Other areas of the country with significant populations include Wisconsin, Pennsylvania, and California.
In Germany, where the origin of the surname resides, the name was found in the state of Rhineland-Palatinate, according to the most recent census results in 2019. The German population of Koebels is significantly less than Ohio, with just over 350 living in Rhineland-Palatinate.
Outside of Germany and the United States, there are also several other countries that have notable populations of Koebels. The Netherlands, Canada, and Austria all reported having a roughly 400 individuals with the last name living in their respective countries.
The Koebel surname, while still found in Germany and other parts of Europe, has spread significantly across the globe since its origin. Today, there are large concentrations of people with the last name living in the United States, particularly Ohio, as well as in the Netherlands, Canada, and Austria.
Variations of the surname Koebel
The surname Koebel has various variants and spellings around the globe. In Germany, the surname is spelled Köbel, Koeble, Koehle, Köhle and Koebel. In Switzerland, the spelling is Köbbel or Köbele. In Austria, it is generally spelled Köbel whereas in the US it is spelled Kolb.
The surname is derived from the Middle High German word kobel, which means ‘small round tub’. In the past it was a common term for a wagon or cart used to transport goods—the equivalent of today’s delivery van. As such, people who made it their occupation to drive or work with these carts were given the surname Koebel.
In German-speaking countries, it can also be a toponymic name for someone from any of the villages called Köbel, Köbeln, Köbels, or Köbelz as well as from various other locations scattered about Germany.
Other spellings of the surname include Kobel, Kebel, Cobel, Cobbel, Cöbel, Koebel, Koeble, Köbbel, Köbele, Köhle, and Kolb. There is also the French variant Kobele.
Some of the surname variants are derived from other surnames and therefore may have no relation to the Koebel surname. Examples include Kabel, Kabelmann, and Kaber.
Famous people with the name Koebel
- Paul Koebel: an actor/stuntman who has performed stunts in a variety of films, including “Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest” and “Transformers.”
- Curt Koebel: a professional baseball player who was a relief pitcher for the Detroit Tigers in 1965.
- Mark Koebel: an American composer and recording artist who has produced music for films such as “Transformers: The Last Knight” and “Valerian and the City of a Thousand Planets.”
- Tom Koebel: a former professional ice hockey player who had a six year career in the NHL with the Vancouver Canucks, New York Islanders, and Buffalo Sabres.
- Christopher Koebel: an American politician who has served in the Ohio House of Representatives since 2017.
- Karen Koebel: an award-winning architect who has led the design team for numerous civic, cultural, and educational projects in New York City.
- Philip Koebel: a wildlife conservationist and author specializing in the protection of giant pandas and other endangered species.
- Andrew Koebel: a German-born professional dancer who has appeared on numerous television shows and danced in international tours.
- Karl Koebel: an Austrian geologist who has authored numerous books on the geology of Central Europe.
- Hyde Koebel: an American photographer who is renowned for his black and white landscape photographs and has exhibited them in galleries around the world.