Surname Umbreit - Meaning and Origin
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Umbreit: What does the surname Umbreit mean?
The last name Umbreit is of German origin and has several possible meanings. One of the most commonly accepted meanings is ‘ploughman’, which indicates that the originator of the name may have been a farmer. In addition, the name Umbreit may have come from the German word ‘umbrei’ meaning ‘he who shines’, possibly referring to a particularly bright or capable individual. It may also come from a place name, specifically Tailau, which is a municipality in Bavaria.
The earliest record of the Umbreit surname was in 1320, when a Paterats Umbreyte, a craftsman in Zurich, was noted in the Rotuli Latinorum. By 1400, the name had spread across Europe with mentions in records from Germany, France and Belgium. In the late 1700s, some members of the Umbreit family emigrated to the United States, specifically Pennsylvania and Wisconsin.
Today, the name Umbreit is relatively rare and can be found mainly in Germany and the United States. There are still some modern-day farmers bearing the surname, particularly in Germany, indicating that the farming connection is still strong.
Order DNA origin analysisUmbreit: Where does the name Umbreit come from?
The surname Umbreit is thought to be a German occupational name derived from the Wendish and Sorbian terms "Ume" or "umbro" meaning "shadow" or "protection" and "Ried" meaning "clearing". It is likely that the earliest bearer of this name lived in a place surrounded by forests which provided 'umbra' or 'shadow.'
Today, the surname Umbreit can be found all over Europe, including countries like Germany, Austria, Switzerland, and Denmark. It is also common in some areas of the United States such as Minnesota, Iowa, and Wisconsin, where many German immigrants settled in the 19th century.
In Germany, the surname is fairly common and can be found primarily in the region along the border with Poland and Czech Republic. This area has historically been the home of many German speakers, who are believed to be the early ancestors of people with the surname Umbreit.
In the United States, people with the surname Umbreit or Umbrecht can be found mostly in the Midwest, particularly in Minnesota and Iowa, but also in Wisconsin, Illinois, and Nebraska. They are believed to be descendants of German immigrants who left Europe in search of a better life in the United States in the 19th century.
The Umbreit surname is still fairly common and can be found in many areas in Europe and the United States. Although many people may have changed their surnames over the years, the surname continues to be a meaningful part of family history and identity for many.
Variations of the surname Umbreit
Umbreit is a German surname with various variants. The most commonly found spelling variant of the name is Umbert. However, there are additional variations such as Umberti, Ombert, Umbertus, Ombri, Ummbert, Ombreit, Umbrecht, Umberto, Umberta, Umbrites, Umbrit, Umbreiten, Unbrecht, Unbrites, Umbertini, Umbertine, Umbertee, Umbertino, Umbertoon, Umbertan, Umbertt, Umbrecht, Unbreit, Umbricht, Umbrich, Ombritz, Ombrecht, Umbertine, Umbertin, Umberton, Unbrecht, and Omberties.
The variant spellings Umberti and Umberto are mainly derived from the Italian language. Umbert is the most common spelling, but it also has additional variants in some local German dialects such as Ummbert and Unbrecht. Ombert is another variant, which is especially common in areas of Germany where the locals still use the old German language forms. Umbertus and Umbertoon are also dialect variants of the Umbreit surname.
The variant Unbreit is only seen in some areas of Germany where the dialect adds an extra n to the original spelling. Omberg is an additional surname variant, which is mainly found among those of Jewish descent. Umbertini, Umbertine, and Umbertee are all variant spellings of Umbreit and are seen most often among those with Italian heritage. Umbrit and Unbrites are also rare variants of the surname.
Overall, there are many different variants, spellings, and surnames of Umbreit origin. Some of the variant spellings stem from local dialects, while others are adopted from other languages, especially Italian.
Famous people with the name Umbreit
- Thomas Umbreit: Social scientist and author of over 20 books on mediation, conflict resolution and peacemaking.
- Lola Umbreit: Professional ice dancer, who won the U.S. National Pairs gold medal in 1942.
- Chris Umbreit: Two-time Olympic wrestler and member of the National Wrestling Hall of Fame.
- Melvin Umbreit: Former member of the Wisconsin State Assembly, who served nine terms between 1958 and 1974.
- Peter Umbreit: German historian and book author, who specialized in the history of the House of Hohenzollern.
- Shawn Umbreit: Husband of Lola Umbreit and pairs ice dancer in the 1940s and 1950s.
- Julia Umbreit: Contralto singer, who has recorded albums for Hyperion Records.
- Charlie Umbreit: American football player, who was part of the 1938 Alabama Crimson Tide football team.
- Kurt Umbreit: German percussionist, who became the principal timpanist of the Wiener Philharmoniker in 1991.
- William Umbreit: American actor, best known for playing the role of Voldemort in the first three Harry Potter films.