Surname Roebling - Meaning and Origin
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Roebling: What does the surname Roebling mean?
Roebling is a German surname derived from the place-name and river-name Röblingen, which is near Leipzig in Saxony. It derives from a German compound of "Rōde," which was the Germanic personal name, and "binge," which means valley. The family name was first associated with a family of bankers who operated in the town of Röblingen in the late 17th century.
The family later moved to Germany and eventually made its way to America, where the most famous member of the family was John Roebling (1806-1869). He was a revolutionary engineer and entrepreneur who created revolutionary suspension bridges, cable railroads, and aqueducts using a newly devised steel cable process. He is most famously known for the Brooklyn Bridge, which was the first of its kind in the nation. John's sons Washington and Charles (both civil engineers) continued the family business with several of their own public works.
Today, the Roebling name is mostly associated with John and the legacy he left behind in the form of bridges. His innovations were pioneering and truly changed the landscape of engineering and construction. The family's story is rooted in adventure, resilience and determination – qualities that many in the Roebling family still embody today.
Order DNA origin analysisRoebling: Where does the name Roebling come from?
The last name Roebling is primarily found in the US, where the family was originally settled in the 1800s. They are known for their involvement in the building of the Brooklyn Bridge in New York City, and the Roebling name has gone on to be featured on bridges, monuments, and other structures all around the country.
The Roebling family was of German origin, and the name can be traced back to the Ruhr River Valley in Germany. The first members of the family to arrive in the US were John Augustus Roebling and his two sons, Washington and Charles. Their engineering expertise and hard work in America eventually led to the building of the Brooklyn Bridge.
Today, many descendants of the Roebling family are still living in the US. This can especially be seen in Pennsylvania and the states surrounding it. According to the US Census, the name is most commonly found in the state of Pennsylvania and surrounding areas such as New Jersey, Delaware, Maryland, West Virginia, and New York. Other areas where the Roebling name is common include California, Florida, Texas, Illinois, and Ohio.
The impact of the Roebling family is still evident today, with their name being associated with works of engineering and progress. The Brooklyn Bridge, in particular, has gone on to symbolize the best of American engineering and ingenuity, and is a reminder of the legacy of the Roebling family.
Variations of the surname Roebling
The Roebling surname has many variants, spellings, and connected surnames. Roebling is an Anglo-Saxon name first used in what is now Germany. It comes from the personal name Robert, which is derived from the old Germanic Hrodberht, meaning “fame and glory.”
Common variants of Roebling include Röbling, Röbblin, Roepelling, Rublin, and Rubbling. Other spellings may also be seen, such as Robblin, Roeplen, Rubbling, Rublin, and Ripbling.
Surnames that are related include Roebelen, Roebeln, Roebel, Rubelen, Röbbelen, Röbbeln, Röbeling, Röbbeling, Rubbelen, and Rubbeln. In addition, the surname Rubbel may sometimes be connected with the Roebling line.
Many of these surnames may be found in the U.S., the UK, and western Europe. Some may also be found in South America, where many of the German-speaking settlers in the 1800s had surnames that were similar to Roebling.
Today, there are likely many other variants, spellings, and surnames connected with Roebling. DNA tests and other genealogical research can often help to ascertain whether a surname is connected with this same line.
Famous people with the name Roebling
- John Augustus Roebling: John Augustus Roebling was a German-born American civil engineer best known for the design of the Brooklyn Bridge, stretching across the East River connecting New York and Brooklyn. He was also an influential advocate for suspension bridges.
- Mary Roebling: Mary Roebling was an American aviator and Federal Aviation Administration aviation safety inspector. She held a Commercial Pilot Certificate and Insturctor’s Rating. She was the daughter of the famous civil engineer, John Augustus Roebling.
- Tierra Roebling: Tierra Roebling is an American attorney and real estate broker. She was the first African-American woman to lead Roebling Development Corporation, the real estate development firm that her great-grandfather John Augustus Roebling founded in 1920.
- Henry Roebling: Henry Roebling was an American businessman who made significant contributions to the development of steel and wire rope. He was president of the Roebling Construction Company and the Union Bridge Co.
- Catharine Roebling: Catharine Roebling is an American novelist and activist. She is the founder of the John Roebling Memorial, a nonprofit organization in Pennsylvania dedicated to the memory and legacy of the Roebling family.
- Washington A. Roebling: Washington A. Roebling was an American civil engineer who worked with his father, John Augustus Roebling, to continue and complete the construction of the Brooklyn Bridge. He went on to become president of the Roebling Construction Company in 1876.
- Emily Warren Roebling: Emily Warren Roebling was an American civil engineer and the first woman to have a significant role in a major engineering project. She worked alongside her husband, Washington A. Roebling, to oversee the completion of the Brooklyn Bridge following the debilitating illness of her husband.
- Frederick W. Roebling: Frederick W. Roebling was an American manufacturer best known as the founder of the Roebling Steel Company. He was appointed president of the company in 1893 and developed a number of innovative steel production practices.