Show ContentsNaber History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

The Naber surname is derived from the Middle English word neighbor, which in turn comes from the Old English words "ne-ah," meaning "near," and "gebur," or "a dweller." As a name, Naber most likely evolved from the term of address for someone living nearby. 1

Early Origins of the Naber family

The surname Naber was first found in Hertfordshire where Ralph Neighbour held estates in that shire in 1222. Later in Bedfordshire, William le Neybere was listed in the Subsidy Rolls for 1309 and Bartholomew Neighebour was found in the Subsidy Rolls for Essex in 1327. 2

Early History of the Naber family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Naber research. Another 194 words (14 lines of text) covering the years 1309, 1327, 1450, 1463, 1510, 1585, 1599, 1600, 1694, 1772 and 1779 are included under the topic Early Naber History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Naber Spelling Variations

Before the last few hundred years, the English language had no fast system of spelling rules. For that reason, spelling variations are commonly found in early Anglo-Saxon surnames. Over the years, many variations of the name Naber were recorded, including Neighbour, Naybor, Nabor, Naibor, Neibor, Naybore, Nabors, Naybors, Neighbor, Neybor, Neybour, Naybour, Naybore, Neighbore, Nerboro, Nerborough and many more.

Early Notables of the Naber family

More information is included under the topic Early Naber Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Naber Ranking

In the United States, the name Naber is the 12,561st most popular surname with an estimated 2,487 people with that name. 3


United States Naber migration to the United States +

To escape oppression and starvation at that time, many English families left for the "open frontiers" of the New World with all its perceived opportunities. In droves people migrated to the many British colonies, those in North America in particular, paying high rates for passages in cramped, unsafe ships. Although many of the settlers did not make the long passage alive, those who did see the shores of North America perceived great opportunities before them. Many of the families that came from England went on to make essential contributions to the emerging nations of Canada and the United States. Research into various historical records revealed some of first members of the Naber family emigrate to North America:

Naber Settlers in United States in the 18th Century
  • Josef Naber, who settled in America in 1798
Naber Settlers in United States in the 19th Century
  • Marie Naber, who landed in Galveston, Tex in 1846 4
  • Margaret Naber, aged 15, who arrived in New York, NY in 1847 4
  • Anna Naber, who arrived in New York, NY in 1847 4
  • Bernhard H Naber, aged 23, who arrived in New York, NY in 1847 4
  • Catherine Nienhuis Naber, aged 38, who landed in New York in 1848 4
  • ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Contemporary Notables of the name Naber (post 1700) +

  • Herman Naber (1826-1909), German-born, American farmer, politician, and jurist who served as county judge for Shawano County
  • Brian Naber (b. 1949), former American football head football coach at Doane College from 1981 to 1983 and at Cameron University from 1984 to 1989
  • John Phillips Naber, American swimmer who won four gold medals at the Montreal Olympics in 1976
  • Gijs Naber (b. 1980), Dutch actor


  1. Harrison, Henry, Surnames of the United Kingdom: A Concise Etymological Dictionary Baltimore: Geneological Publishing Company, 2013. Print
  2. Reaney, P.H and R.M. Wilson, A Dictionary of English Surnames. London: Routledge, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-415-05737-X)
  3. "What are the 5,000 Most Common Last Names in the U.S.?". NameCensus.com, https://namecensus.com/last-names/
  4. Filby, P. William, Meyer, Mary K., Passenger and immigration lists index : a guide to published arrival records of about 500,000 passengers who came to the United States and Canada in the seventeenth, eighteenth, and nineteenth centuries. 1982-1985 Cumulated Supplements in Four Volumes Detroit, Mich. : Gale Research Co., 1985, Print (ISBN 0-8103-1795-8)


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