Surname Lorber - Meaning and Origin

Lorber: What does the surname Lorber mean?

The last name Lorber is thought to be of German and Ashkenazi Jewish origin. It is believed to have derived from the Hebrew word "Lober" or "Lover," which has been translated as "one who is beloved" or "God is beloved." This surname was likely originally a nickname for someone who was endearing or had a special place in the hearts of others.

The earliest recorded instance of this name is from 1665 in Bamberg, Bavaria, Germany. It is also found in other countries in Europe, most notably in the form "De Lauer" or "Lauer," as well as variations such as "Laurhan" or "Lorinth." By the 19th century, the Lorbers had spread to other countries, such as Austria, Hungary, Poland, and the United States.

The Lorbers have a proud ancestry and were often leading figures in business and education. They were often teachers, scholars, and professionals in fields such as medicine, accounting, and finance. Some of the more well-known Lorbers were authors, linguists, and philosophers who sought to promote peace and justice.

Today, the Lorber surname is still a popular one, representing a family of versatile, talented, and passionate people. It is a sign of pride and accomplishment, holding the legacy of a people with the ambition and tenacity to realize their dreams and leave their mark on the world.

Lorber: Where does the name Lorber come from?

The last name Lorber is found mainly in Germany and Israel today. In Germany, it is particularly common in the region of Hamburg as well as in the former Eastern Bloc countries, especially Poland and Russia. In Israel, the name is prominent amongst the Jewish population.

As with many European surnames, the origin of the name Lorber is a combination of two words, ‘Lor’ and ‘Ber.’ The German word ‘Lor’ translates to laurel or bay tree, while ‘Ber’ is derived from the Germanic word for bear, and it has been suggested that early bearers of the name had a connection to bears. This may suggest a connection with a particular family line that had a prominent member who was a hunter, or people who lived near bear dens. However, the true origin of the surname is uncertain.

The name Lorber appears to have been particularly popular in the 19th century, as records show that in 1811 there were more than 1,600 people bearing the last name. In more recent years, the name has become much less common. According to a census conducted in 1980, the Lorber family's population in Germany had decreased to 550 and in Israel, the name had dwindled to just five people that year.

Despite its declining popularity today, the Lorber name still has a rich and interesting history that is tied to the many cultures it originated from. The origins of the name and the prominent families that once bore it will surely remain a mystery and a source of intrigue for many future generations.

Variations of the surname Lorber

The surname Lorber has several variants, spellings and surnames of the same origin. These include Laarber, Lorbaer, Larbere, Laerber, Laber, Laubre, Lagarber, Labber, Laubere, Lauffer, Laschober, Leuber, Laiber, Lohrber, Lohber, Lohrber, Lueber, Laub-Berger, Lober, Lorberer, Luebber, Laschober, Lagarber, Lohr, Laaub, Lurber, Lurber, Lacomber, Lauerberg, Laibritz and Lerper.

The variants of the surname Lorber come from a variety of cultures ranging from Bohemian to West-Central German. It is believed that the surname originated from a middle-high German personal name, Liutbere or Lieutbert. The name may have meant ‘shining fame’ or ‘bright fame’, stemming from the element ‘liut’, translated as ‘fame’, coupled with the suffix ‘bert’ for ‘bright’.

The spelling of the surname Lorber changed through the years as people moved to different countries and countries altered their language and spelling. This resulted in many variants of the same name, such as ‘Larberger’, ‘Laarberger’, and ‘Luerberger’. The surname also took on a number of different spellings in the English language, such as Laub and Lawber.

The surname Lorber can be found in many countries around the world, including the United States, Germany, United Kingdom, France, Canada, Belgium, and Austria, among others.

Famous people with the name Lorber

• Jeff Lorber: jazz fusion and smooth jazz keyboardist, composer and record producer.
• Andrew Lorber: co-founder and managing partner of Urban-X, an accelerator and venture capital fund for urban tech start-ups.
• Ken Lorber: film producer, most notably for the films “The Addams Family” and “Fletch Lives”.
• Benno Lorber: Austrian composer, arranger, lyricist, and jazz trumpeter.
• Alison Lorber: American actress, best known for her appearances in the films “Play Dead” (2006) and “Northern Borders” (2013).
• Paul Lorber: film composer best known for his collaborations with producer and director Joe Dante on films such as “Gremlins” and “The Howling”.
• Fritz Lorber: Austrian composer, pianist and conductor.
• Jon Lorber: American composer, jazz musician and musical director of the International Music Festival for Young People in Vienna.
• Hilary Lorber: American actress, best known for her appearance in the Broadway production “Rebecca”.
• Edwin Lorber: American businessman, former CEO of Schlumberger, an oilfield services company.

Other surnames

Lorbeer