Surname Prybil - Meaning and Origin

Prybil: What does the surname Prybil mean?

The last name Prybil is derived from the Germanic personal name “Briso”, of the same root as the word “brazen”. The name likely evolved to a version that eventually became our modern variant “Prybil”.

It’s an interesting name, because it speaks to both a strong and bold character (due to the “brazen” element), but also to a sense of protection and a practical nature (as the “Briso” origin implies). In this way, it echoes the characteristics of other toponyms based on animals and plants – such as Fox, Wolf, Field, Oak, and so on.

In modern times, the Prybil surname does not crop up often, but when it does it’s usually in its Germanic form, or in the British Isles being used as a given or middle name.

The Prybil surname is a great way to express both strength and practicality, and to bring some of the personality of our ancestors into our lives. It’s a wonderful reminder of the power and strength we can manifest by becoming our unique selves.

Prybil: Where does the name Prybil come from?

The last name Prybil is most commonly found in the United States and Canada. It is a surname of German origin derived from the personal name Prezcebil, which means ‘powerful in rule’ or ‘chief’. According to the 1990 US census, the surname was most prevalent in Pennsylvania, with the highest concentration of Prybils living in the state. In the 2000 US census, the top three states with the most Prybil inhabitants were Pennsylvania, Wisconsin, and Ohio.

Today, the surname Prybil can be found in almost every state in the US, as well as in parts of Canada. For example, people with the surname Prybil can be found living in Texas, Massachusetts, and Virginia. Canada also has a large number of people with the surname, with the highest concentration of Prybils living in Manitoba and Ontario.

In addition to North America, there are also people with the last name Prybil living in Germany, as well as in countries like Switzerland, the United Kingdom, Belgium, France, the Netherlands, Austria, and Italy.

Overall, the last name Prybil is highly popular in the US, Canada, and several other countries in Europe. It has remained a surname throughout the years, suggesting that the ancestors of those with the surname Prybil were deeply rooted in their culture.

Variations of the surname Prybil

Prybil is a surname of Czech and Czechoslovak origin. It is derived from the Czech word 'pry' meaning 'rare'. It is also believed to be derived from the Germanic word 'Prügel', meaning 'club', as the name was usually given to those with such a weapon.

The variants, spellings and surnames of Prybil include Pribyl, Prybyl, Pribill, Probyl, Priebel, Prebel, Prebill, Prebble, Praebel, Prübel, Prüble, Prewbel and Praübel. The alternate spellings are attributed to the name's high emigration rate throughout continental Europe, especially to Germany, where the spelling was often changed to align with local dialects.

The surnames Pridigal and Prydal are believed to be derived from the same root as Prybil. Pridigal is thought to be a misspelling of Prydal, while Prydal is a Germanized form of Prybil. Other surnames believed to share the same root are Prügel, Progel, Pruegel and Prigel, all of which are German in origin.

The Prybil surname remains relatively uncommon, though is believed to be gaining popularity among the descendents of Ukrainian immigrants to North America. Despite the limited geographical area in which the name remains prominent, its variants and alternate spellings indicate the family's Czech, Slovak and German origin.

Famous people with the name Prybil

• George Prybil: an American attorney and technology executive who currently serves as Deputy Assistant Secretary of Health and Human Services for Policy.
• Janice Prybil: an American former professional golfer.
• Jonathan Prybil: a cultural historian of Jewish life in Eastern Europe and a Holocaust scholar.
• Art Prybil: an American college basketball coach for the College of Wooster.
• Michael Prybil: an American college basketball coach and the founder of MP Basketball, a basketball camp focused on teaching the fundamentals of the game.
• Anne Marie Prybil: a radio host and award-winning media professional and entrepreneur.
• Maureen Prybil: an American Democratic politician who served in the Oklahoma Senate.
• Andrew Prybil: an American Democratic politician who served in the Oklahoma House of Representatives.
• Virginia Prybil: an American Democratic politician who served in the Oklahoma House of Representatives from 1981 to 1985.
• Wendy Prybil: an American Democratic politician who served in the Oklahoma Senate from 2001 to 2005.

Other surnames

PrybillPrybilski