Surname Korber - Meaning and Origin

Shedding light on a lineage's saga: How the iGENEA DNA test transformed my understanding of the Korber identity

Growing up with a deep-seated connection to my German surname, 'Korber,' I decided to delve deeper into its origins through an iGENEA DNA test. The revelations from this journey not only diversified and enriched my perception of my personal identity and heritage but fostered a newfound understanding of interconnectedness, shared lineage, and common heritage.

B. Korber

Korber: What does the surname Korber mean?

Korber is a surname that can be found mainly in countries such as Germany, Austria, and the Czech Republic. Its origin is uncertain, but many believe it to be derived from the German word "korber" meaning “a basket maker” or “a person who weaves baskets.” As such, the surname could be indicative of a person whose family were basket makers by trade. Alternatively, it has also been suggested that Korber may have originated from the Germanic personal name “Korbar”, which was composed of two elements - “Kor” meaning “bold” and “ber” meaning “bear.” Although the meaning is uncertain, it still serves as an interesting connection to the family name.

Today, Korber is a rather rare surname, but it continues to enjoy popularity among those of German, Austrian, and Czech descent. It is believed to have been first found in the regions of Schleswig Holstein in the 17th century. The earliest record of the surname dates back to one Herbrichus Korber who is recorded as having lived in Silberbeckenbach in 1735.

Overall, the Korber surname is a powerful reminder that families are shaped by our collective history, providing a window into the lives of our ancestors. It can often offer us an insight into their origins and the occupations and trades that our ancestors held. Whether it is indicative of a past craftsman or an ancestral warrior, the Korber name will always remain as an important part of our family histories.

Korber: Where does the name Korber come from?

The surname Korber is most commonly found in German-speaking countries, although it can be found throughout Europe. In particular, it has been concentrated in the regions of Bavaria and Hesse in Germany since the early 1800s. In addition, it can be found in parts of Austria, Switzerland, Poland, Russia and the Czech Republic.

In Germany, many people with the surname Korber live in the city of Munich, as well as in other large cities like Berlin, Stuttgart, Nuremberg and Hamburg. Family members with the surname can also be found in smaller towns and villages throughout the country, although this is less common.

The Korber surname can also be found in the United States. According to the 2010 US Census, there were around 4,000 people with the surname living in the US, with the majority of them living in the states of Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Illinois, Wisconsin, Michigan and New York.

In addition, people with the Korber surname can be found in scattered locations around the globe, from Australia to Canada, the Netherlands to New Zealand and France to Brazil.

Variations of the surname Korber

Korber (also spelled Korper) is a German surname that originates from the Middle High German term korber, meaning “craftsman” or “worker.” There are many variations and spellings of the name—Korper, Korberer, Korperr, Korpp, Korb, Korbner, and Korhn.

In some cases, Korber may also be a short form of the German name Kornberger, a term of uncertain origin. It may come from the Middle High German words korne or karn, meaning “corn” or “grain,” or it may be a topographic name for someone who lived by a grain store near a corn mill. In this case, variants and spellings may include Kornber, Kornberger, Kornbawer, Kornbauer, Kornbeyer, Kornbäuer, and Kornbühler.

Körber is an unrelated German surname of Low German origin. It is derived from a contracted form of the personal name Kerbert, which is itself a combination of the name Kar(l), meaning “free man,” and berht, meaning “light, bright.” People bearing this surname may have variants and spellings such as Köerber, Körbner, and Körberer.

Finally, Korber is sometimes also a Dutch surname derived from a patronymic form of the Middle Dutch personal name Cor, which is itself a short form of Cornelius. Variants and spellings of this surname include Korvers, Korsvers, Korevers, Korfers, and Koorvers.

Famous people with the name Korber

• Werner Korber, German general.
• George Korber, American football player.
• Elisabeth Korber, Austrian Olympic skier.
• Erwin Korber, Austrian former handball player.
• Frauke Korber, German fashion designer.
• Erich Korber, Austrian entrepreneur.
• Ursula Korber, American essence producer.
• Hanno Korber, German former professional tennis player.
• Spencer Korber, American games journalist.
• Heinz Korber, German opera singer.
• Thorsten Korber, German former footballer.
• Iris Korber, German gymnastics judge.
• Gillian Korber, British journalist and broadcaster.
• Gottfried Korber, Austrian conductor and composer.
• Sami Korber, Australian film score composer.
• Ulrich Korber, German logistic director.
• Amelie Korber, Australian–American visual artist.
• Mechthild Korber, German flutist and composer.
• Gabor Korber, Hungarian theatre and film director.
• Freya Korber, Dutch Olympic athlete.

Other surnames

KörbelKörbelinKorbett