Show ContentsGruebel History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

The Gruebel family name first began to be used in the German state of Bavaria. After the 12th century, as hereditary surnames began to be adopted, names that were derived from locations became particularly common. The family name Gruebel is a local surname. Originally denoting the proprietorship of an estate or influence within a village, the German preposition von, which means from or of, used with local names, was taken as a mark of aristocracy. The surname Gruebel was given to someone who lived in Bavaria, where the name Gruber came from humble beginnings but gained a significant reputation for its contribution to the region's medieval society.

Early Origins of the Gruebel family

The surname Gruebel was first found in Bavaria, where the name was anciently associated with the tribal conflicts of the area. They declared allegiances to many nobles and princes of early history, lending their influence in struggles for power and status within the region. They branched into several houses, and their contributions were sought by many leaders in their search for power. Otto Gruober, a Knight, lived in Austria around 1183.

Early History of the Gruebel family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Gruebel research. Another 120 words (9 lines of text) covering the years 1623, 1680 and 1835 are included under the topic Early Gruebel History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Gruebel Spelling Variations

Many cultural groups lived in the German states in medieval times. Each had its own dialect and traditions, and unique variations of popular names. Low German, which is similar to contemporary Dutch, was spoken in Westphalia. German names are characterized by additions such as regional suffixes and phrases that tell something about the origin or background of its original bearer. Further contributing to the variation in German names was the fact that there were no spelling rules in medieval times: scribes recorded names according to their sound. The recorded spelling variations of Gruebel include Gruber, Grueber, Gruebel, Gruebe, Grube, Grubar, Gruberer and many more.

Early Notables of the Gruebel family

Prominent among members of the name Gruebel in this period include Johann Grueber (1623-1680), an Austrian Jesuit missionary and astronomer in China; Andreas Grueber, who fought with bravery against the Turks at...
Another 31 words (2 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Gruebel Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Gruebel family

The great European flow of migration to North America, which began in the middle of the 17th century and continued into the 20th century, was particularly attractive to those from Bavaria who wished to escape either poverty or religious persecution. For many Bavarian tenant farmers, the chance to own their own land was a major incentive. So the widespread colonization of the United States began in 1650, when many immigrants from Germany settled in pockets in Pennsylvania, Texas, New York, Illinois, and California. In Canada, German settlement centered in Ontario and the prairie provinces. Among those of this surname listed in various historical records were: Hans Henrich Gruber, he arrived in Pennsylvania in September 1732 on the ship Dragon.


Contemporary Notables of the name Gruebel (post 1700) +

  • Albert Gruebel (b. 1918), Swiss lawyer and trade official


Houseofnames.com on Facebook