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| Origins Available: |
| | Germany |
The ancestral home of the Biber family is in the German province of Bavaria. Biber is a German nickname surname. Such names came from eke-names, or added names, that described their initial bearer through reference to a physical characteristic or other attribute. It is a name for a person who was known as hard-working or industrious. The distinguished name Biber is derived from the Old German word beber, which meant beaver. In the Middle Ages, anthropomorphic ideas, which attributed human qualities and form to gods or animals were popular. These associations were reflected in folk tales, mythology, and legends that portrayed animals behaving as humans. Biber is also a local type of surname and there are numerous places named Bieber and Bieberach in several localities in Germany.
The surname Biber was first found in Bavaria, where the name Bieber was closely identified in early mediaeval times with the feudal society of early European history. The name would later emerge as a noble family with great influence, having many distinguished branches, and become noted for its involvement in social, economic and political affairs.
This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Biber research. Another 104 words (7 lines of text) covering the years 1644, 1681, 1704, 1714 and 1824 are included under the topic Early Biber History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.
One can encounter great variation in the spelling of surnames: in early times, spelling in general, and thus the spelling of names was not yet standardized; and later, spellings would change with branching and movement of families. Variations of the name Biber include Bieber, Biber, Bieben, Biebel, Biebele, Bieble, Biebber, Biebben, Biebbel, Biebele, Biebble, Beiber, Beiben, Beibel, Beibele, Beible, Beibber, Beibben, Beibbel, Beibbele, Beibble, Byber, Byben, Bybel, Bybele, Byble, Bybber, Bybben, Bybbel, Bybbele, Bybble, Beyber, Beyben, Beybel, Beybele, Beyble, Beybber, Beybben, Beybbel, Beybbele, Beybble and many more.
Prominent among members of the name Biber in this period include
European migration to North America began in the mid-17th century and continued unabated until the mid-20th. Many Bavarians made the long trip to escape poverty or persecution based on their religious beliefs. The chance for tenant farmers to own their own land was also a major drawing card. They settled all across the United States in Pennsylvania, Texas, New York, Illinois, and California. Many came to Canada also, settling in Ontario and the prairie provinces. Analysis of immigration records has shown some of the first Bibers to arrive in North America, and among them were: