Surname Rübling - Meaning and Origin

Rübling: What does the surname Rübling mean?

The surname Rübling is a German patronymic name dating back to the medieval period. The name is derived from the given name Rudolph, which is a German form of the personal name Rodolph, or Rudolph of Worms, a German saint in the 9th century. The name is derived from the Germanic words hrod, meaning “fame” and wulf, meaning “wolf” or “wolf-like.” The Old German/Middle High German form of the name is Hrodeulf, and the modern German form is Rudolf.

The Rübling surname was first found in the city of Konstanz, located in the southern German state of Baden-Württemberg. It is likely that the Rübling family originated in this area and spread to other parts of Germany.

The Rüblings are an aristocratic family, with many highly-respected members throughout Germany's history. Notable Rüblings include the famous philosopher and poet Georg Christoph Rübling and the famous mathematician and philosopher Johann Bernhard Rübling. During the 13th century, many Rüblings held positions as military officers, theologians and church officials. These Rüblings fought in battles such as the Battle of Großenfeld (1517), played important religious roles in the Protestant Reformation and in the 16th century, served as stewards and senators in various state governments.

To this day, there are still many Rüblings living in Germany, and the name carries a positive connotation academically and socially. To have the surname Rübling is to have a proud German ancestry, and is a testament to the remarkable achievements of the family's distinguished ancestors.

Rübling: Where does the name Rübling come from?

The last name Rübling is a common name throughout German-speaking regions of Europe and the diaspora. It is most prevalent in Germany, where it ranks as the sixteenth most common surname, and there are approximately 22,000 people in Germany with the last name Rübling. Rübling is also common throughout Austria, Switzerland, and Luxembourg.

Outside of German-speaking regions, Rübling is more difficult to locate. As part of the diaspora originating from Germany, the name Rübling can be found in the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, South Africa, Argentina, Uruguay, Australia, and New Zealand. As with its prevalence in Germany, the surname is relatively uncommon outside of German-speaking countries.

In the United States, it is most common in Wisconsin and Minnesota due to the history of immigrants from German-speaking countries in those areas. The surname can also be found in pockets around the country, notably in the Northeast and West Coast. It is estimated that in the US there are approximately 1000 people with the last name Rübling.

Though Rübling is a relatively uncommon surname outside of German-speaking countries, those with the name are certainly not alone in their shared heritage. The combination of its stint as a common last name in German-speaking countries and its diaspora makes Rübling a name shared and cherished by many.

Variations of the surname Rübling

The variants, spellings, and surnames of the same origin for the surname Rübling are all derived from a root which is generally thought to mean ‘rubble’ or ‘rich soil’ in German.

Common variations of the Rübling surname include Rubling, Rubeling, Rublingen, Rubyling, Rubylingen, Rubingen, Rubel, and Rubell.

Other regional versions of the surname include Rubblin, Rublein, Rubilin, Rubolin, Rubolinen, Rubblo, Rubbel, Rubbell, Rubbem, Rubbeme, Rubbingen, and Rubbeling.

Less common variations include Rubelinge, Rublinge, and Rüblingen, and there are also related surnames such as Röbling, Rüblin, Rüblinger, Ruobell, Rubleson, Rublese, and Rubleish.

The variants Rubling and Rubyling are the most frequently found forms of the surname in America today. The Rübling name also has a presence in the Netherlands, particularly in the southeastern province of Zeeland and the nearby city of Breda.

Most of the spellings and variations mentioned here can be found as a surname across Germany, the Netherlands, and America. It is likely that all these surnames, and any further variations, are of a common origin.

Famous people with the name Rübling

• Johannes Rübling (1864–1945), German painter
• Hans Rübling (1912–2002), German gymnast
• Alexandra Rübling (born 1989), German footballer
• Yvonne Rübling (born 1993), German handball player
• Bertha Rübling (1890-1974), German mathematician
• Erwin Rübling (1893–1971), German World War I fighter ace
• Johann Rübling (1723–1800), German botanist
• Roger Rübling (born 1936), Swiss artistic gymnast
• Max Rübling (1885–1961), German film director
• Manfred Rübling (born 1925), German physicist

Other surnames

Rüblinger