Zober History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
Germany

Etymology of Zober

What does the name Zober mean?

The surname Zober has several possible origins, both Germanic and Slavic. Firstly, the name Zober may have originated with a nickname. It would stem from the Low German term "sobbe" meaning "drinker" or "alcoholic," indicating a heavy drinker. The surname Zober may also be of toponymic origins, referring to a place where the original bearer may once have lived or held land. In this case the name is connected to Saxony, where Zobersdorf is located in the Elster region and a Grosse-Zöbern in the Plauen region. The name may also have patronymic origins, indicating the son of Zober. The surname Zober may then be derived from the old Germanic personal name Zobbo, whose origins are unknown, but was widespread in the Lower Rhine Valley. Or the surname Zober could be derived from the diminutive of the Germanic personal name Sigiwin, from the Old High German "sigu" and "wini" meaning "victory" and "friend." Zober could also be Slavic in origin, possibly a patronymic form of the Slavic personal name Sobieslaw, which is represented in German as Sobisch or Zobisch. The personal name is derived from the Old Slavic "sobe" meaning "take for oneself" or "sob" meaning "combat cooperative" and "slav" meaning "fame." Or the surname could be a short form or diminutive of the surname Sobotta, which is of Slavic origin meaning "Saturday" or "sabbath." The word usually referred to weekly markets which were held on Saturdays. Someone who attended that market on a regular basis may have been given this name.

Early Origins of the Zober family

The surname Zober was first found in Saxony, where the name contributed greatly to the development of an emerging nation which would later play a large role in the tribal and national conflicts of the area. In later years the name branched into many houses, each playing a significant role in the local social and political affairs. The name dates back to the 12th century when the name Sobisch was a Slavic ducal name in Bohemia. Germanic forms of the name were recorded later. Werner Sobbe was recorded in Rostock in 1300, Sobeslaus Wacker in Breslau in 1319, Goswin Sobbe in the Ruhr region of Westfalia in 1401, and Sigemunt Czober in Freiberg in 1467.

Early History of the Zober family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Zober research. The years 1382, 1411, 1552, 1553 and 1571 are included under the topic Early Zober History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Zober Spelling Variations

Spelling variations of this family name include: Sobbe, Söbbe, Subbe, Zober, Zoberer, Sobotta, Soberg, Zobisch and many more.

Early Notables of the Zober family

Heine Sobbe was a gold smith in 1411 and Veit Zoberer in 1552...
Jakob Zober practiced medicine between 1553-1571...

Migration of the Zober family

Some of the first settlers of this family name or some of its variants were: Christian Sobbe, who came to New York in 1776; and another Christian Sobbe, who arrived in Halifax, Nova Scotia in 1780. Both were probably mercenary soldiers who fought with the British in the American War of Independence, and settled in North America after the war. Sophia Sobbe and her relatives Wilhelm, Carl, and Ernst arrived in New York in 1852.