Show ContentsLeibowitz History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

The German surname Leibowitz emerged in the lands that form the modern state of Lower Saxony, which is presently bordered by the North Sea, the Hartz mountains and the Elbe and Ems rivers. Lower Saxony was previously a medieval dukedom. In the Middle Ages, many of the Saxon lands were a part of the Holy Roman Empire, which was characterized by the Feudal System. Before this era, people were known only by a single name. However, as the population increased and travelers set out on their journeys, it became necessary for people to adopt a second name to identify themselves. Many people, such as the Leibowitz family, adopted the name of their feudal occupation as their surname. However, an occupational name did not become a hereditary surname until the office or type of employment became hereditary. The surname Leibowitz was an occupational name for a baker. The root of this distinguished surname is the word laib, which in the Middle Ages referred to a baker.

Early Origins of the Leibowitz family

The surname Leibowitz was first found in Brunswick, where the name was closely identified in early mediaeval times with the feudal society which would become prominent throughout European history. Chronicles first mention Hans Laybel in Nickolsberg in 1414, and Peter Loeublin of Reutlingen in 1390.

Early History of the Leibowitz family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Leibowitz research. Another 162 words (12 lines of text) covering the years 1646, 1711, 1716, 1844 and 1900 are included under the topic Early Leibowitz History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Leibowitz Spelling Variations

Spelling variations of this family name include: Leib, Leibe, Leibner, Leiber, Leibnitz, Leipnitz, Leibler, Leible, Leibl, Leiblin, Leibesman, Leiblein, Laib, Laible and many more.

Early Notables of the Leibowitz family

Notables of the time included Gottfried Wilhelm von Leibniz (1646-1716), a philosopher, mathematician, and polymath, who entered the service of the Electoral Archbishop of Mainz. He was one of the most important thinkers...
Another 32 words (2 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Leibowitz Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Leibowitz Ranking

In the United States, the name Leibowitz is the 7,476th most popular surname with an estimated 4,974 people with that name. 1

Migration of the Leibowitz family

Some of the first settlers of this family name or some of its variants were: John Leib, who emigrated to England and/or America in 1709 with his wife and three children. Ulrich Leib and Johannes Leib came to Philadelphia in 1727. Wilhelmine Leib came to Texas in 1850. August Leiberman came to Philadelphia in 1854. Simon Leible came to Philadelphia in 1754.


Contemporary Notables of the name Leibowitz (post 1700) +

  • Jon Leibowitz, American Democratic Party politician, Member, Federal Trade Commission, 2004-
  • David McQuade Leibowitz, American Democratic Party politician, Candidate in primary for Texas State Senate 26th District, 2000; Member of Texas State House of Representatives 117th District; Elected 2004, 2006, 2008; Defeated, 2010
  • Sidney Leibowitz (b. 1935), birth name of Steve Lawrence, American singer and actor, best known as a member of a duo with his wife Eydie Gormé, billed as Steve and Eydie
  • Samuel Simon Leibowitz, American criminal defense attorney
  • René Leibowitz (1913-1972), French composer of Polish-Latvian origin


  1. "What are the 5,000 Most Common Last Names in the U.S.?". NameCensus.com, https://namecensus.com/last-names/


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