Show ContentsIben History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

The German surname Iben has several possible origins. Firstly, the surname may be of patronymic origin, derived from the name of the father of the original bearer. In this instance, the surname Iben comes from the Frisian personal name Ibo, which stem from either the Old High German "iwa" meaning "yew" tree, or from the Old High German "hiltja" meaning "battle, handle of a sword." Or the name could come from the Frisian personal name Eybe, a short from of Eilbert. Also Ibing, which is documented in the sources, can be a short form of Ibbers or Ibbeken. The name Iben, also appears in sources as a female personal name, as in Yba in Hamburg in the 13th century, and Ybika in Westphalia in 1275. Thus the surname can also be matronymic, derived from the personal name of the mother. Alternatively, the surname Iben can be of locative origin, from a geographical feature near which the original bearer of the name once lived or held land. Here, we find the surname Iben again deriving from the Old High German "iwa" meaning "yew" tree, suggesting that the bearer lived nest to such a tree. Also, the surname Iben may be of toponymic origin, derived from the name of the place where the original bearer of the name once lived or held land. There are many towns with the element "Ibe" in Germany, such as Ibach, Ibendahl, Eiba, Eibau, and Ibendorf. In Hamburg and Flensburg, the "b" often appears as a "p," creating names like Ipsen.

Early Origins of the Iben family

The surname Iben was first found in Lower Saxony, where the name is connected to Bremen and Hamburg. The name also appears often in Röstock, in Mecklenburg. However, the surname Iben can be traced back to 13th century Carinthia, where one named Ivo was the archbishop in 1254. Jacob Ybing resided in Hamburg in 1266, and Godeke Yben filius Ybonis in Stralsund in 1300. Ybo de Frisia was recorded in 1301. Konrad von der Ybe was a resident of Freiberg in Saxony in the year 1412, and Franz Yban was the archpriest of that city in 1425.

Early History of the Iben family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Iben research. Another 56 words (4 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Iben History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Iben Spelling Variations

Spelling variations of this family name include: Iben, Ibe, Iber, Ibsen, Ipsen, Ibing, Iba, Iva, Ihbe, Eibe and many more.

Early Notables of the Iben family

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


United States Iben migration to the United States +

Some of the first settlers of this family name were:

Iben Settlers in United States in the 19th Century
  • Julius Iben immigrated to California in 1868
  • John Iben was naturalized in Scott County, Iowa in 1874
  • Carsten Iben also in Scott County Iowa in 1876
  • Ulfert Iben in Madison County, Illinois in 1890
Iben Settlers in United States in the 20th Century
  • Frerich Iben in New York in 1923


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