Surname Kolbert - Meaning and Origin
all surnames with 'K'
Kolbert: What does the surname Kolbert mean?
The surname Kolbert doesn't have a specific meaning tied to it due to its personal nature. It is a surname of German origin but its etymology isn't entirely clear. It could potentially be derived from the given name "Kolbert" which is a variant of the name "Cuthbert". In this context, "Cuthbert" is of Old English origin and translates to "famous" and "bright". However, it's essential to note that the meaning of a surname often differs as per regional and historical usage, thus its actual significance could be different. Moreover, the last name Kolbert is fairly rare, and it may not have a distinct, broadly recognized meaning. Often, last names are associated with the occupation, location, or ancestor's personal characteristics, so it's more relevant in the genealogical context. Among famous figures with this name is Elizabeth Kolbert, an American journalist and author, known for her work on environmental issues.
Order DNA origin analysisKolbert: Where does the name Kolbert come from?
The surname Kolbert is of German origin. It derived from the personal name Kolbrand, which is composed of two elements: "kol", meaning coal, and "brand", meaning sword. The name was common among miners and blacksmiths in medieval Germany. It may have been a professional surname for a smith or a nickname for someone with dark or burnished hair.
Today, the surname Kolbert is not extremely common in any specific region. However, you're more likely to find individuals with this name in Germany, given its origins, and in countries where German immigrants have relocated over generations. This includes countries like the United States, Canada, and parts of South America. Specifically, in the United States, people with the last name Kolbert may be concentrated in states that received higher influxes of German immigrants including Pennslyvania, Ohio, and the Midwest.
Variations of the surname Kolbert
The surname Kolbert is of German origin and can be traced back to regions of Germany and Central Europe. Variants of this surname often differ based on region, language or dialect, and historic spelling practices. Variations might contain single or double letters, different vowel sounds and written forms influenced by local accents.
Alternative spellings and variants for Kolbert may include Kolbart, Kolburt, Kolbirt, Kolberth, Coalbert, Coalbart, and Coalbirt. More distinctly German spellings might be Kohlbert or Kohlbart.
It's necessary to note that similar-looking names aren't necessarily variants of the same name. For example, Colbert, although visually similar, has French roots and is not typically grouped with the German-derived Kolbert.
The surname Kolbert might have originated from professions, as many German surnames did. This one specifically appears to be related to the term "coal miner" or someone who works with coal.
It's also important to consider that, due to umlauts in German, the names could also be spelled with ö as in Kölbert, which might get translated into English as "Koelbert" or "Koelbart" to preserve the pronunciation.
Famous people with the name Kolbert
- Elizabeth Kolbert: Pulitzer Prize winning journalist and New Yorker staff writer.
- Howie Kolbert: Major League Baseball (MLB) pitcher from the 1950s and '60s.
- Rachel Kolbert: American-Australian writer, director, and actress.
- Greg Kolbert: American television news personality, most notably hosting the news in Philadelphia from 1998 to 2008.
- Natan Kolbert: Yiddish language folklore collector and arranger, trained in the Lubavitch Hasidic tradition.
- Aaron Kolbert: 2nd Lieutenant in the United States Army and Bronze Star recipient for his service in Iraq.
- John Kolbert: Federal Judge of the United States District Court for the Western District of Pennsylvania.
- Igal Kolbert: Israeli Olympic freestyle swimmer.
- Avraham Yaakov Kolbert: Rosh Yeshiva of Yeshiva Torah Vodaath in Brooklyn, New York.
- Deborah Kolbert: International political correspondent and producer.