Surname Scherb - Meaning and Origin
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Scherb: What does the surname Scherb mean?
The last name Scherb is of German origin and likely began as a nickname for someone with a hook-shaped nose, deriving from the German word “Scherbe” meaning fragment or shard. It was likely used to describe a prominent, bulging, or hooked nose, and may have been granted as a nickname to individuals with such a physical feature.
The ending -b at the end of the name may also have been added or adopted to signify a measure of gentrification of the name, for which it is now commonly found. Today, the name is typically written as Scherb, sometimes Schwartz, though the original spelling is unknown.
Scherb is primarily found in German-speaking countries, as well as parts of Central and Eastern Europe. It is thought to have originated in the Rhineland region of modern-day Germany, though little concrete evidence exists to suggest exactly where.
In the modern day, the surname is relatively rare, but still has many bearers in Germany, Austria, Switzerland, and other parts of Europe. There are also scattered individuals who bear it in the United States, where it likely arrived with German immigrants in the 19th and 20th centuries.
Order DNA origin analysisScherb: Where does the name Scherb come from?
The last name Scherb is most commonly found in Germany and the German-speaking countries of Switzerland and Austria. It is an occupational name derived from the German word “scherben” which means to cut or break. Given its prevalence in german-speaking countries primarily, it is likely that the surname originated somewhere in the region before eventually spreading throughout the German diaspora.
Today, the name Scherb is still common in Germany, where it ranks among the top 500 most common family names according to the Genealogical Associaton of Germany. In particular, the name is concentrated in the Rhineland-Palatinate, Hesse, and Bavaria. It is also common in Switzerland, where it is ranked among the top 750 most prominent family names, and has a presence in the cities of Zurich, Bern, Basel, Ticino, and Lucerne.
Finally, the name is quite rare in Austria, appearing among only the top 1,000 most traditional family names, but is nonetheless present in major cities like Vienna and Graz.
Overall, the last name Scherb is primarily a Germanic name with strong ties to Germany, Austria, and Switzerland, having likely originated in the region in centuries past. It maintains prevalence in many of the same regions today, with spots of lesser concentrations in other parts of the german-speaking world.
Variations of the surname Scherb
The surname Scherb has variants, spellings, and related surnames that are of similar origin. The most common variants and/or spellings of Scherb are Scherbe, Scherb, Scherben, and Scherer. Other related surnames include Scherbauer, Scherbaum, Scherber, Scherberich, Schermann, and Scherrer.
Variants of Scherb are mainly found in Germany, Poland, and Austria. In Germany, it is most common near the border of Poland. The spelling related to Scherer is most common in Bavaria, while Scherber and Schermann can be found in several western German regions. However, these spellings are slowly becoming less frequent in Germany.
The spelling Scherben can be found in several eastern German regions, and can also be found in Austria. In the Czech Republic, it is usually spelled Scherba or Scherbauer, and in the Ukraine, it is spelled Scherbaum.
In the United States, the Scherer spelling has been most commonly found in New Jersey. However, Scherb is also found in the Midwest. The most common related surname in the US is Scherman.
No matter the spelling, the surname Scherb is often connected to the Slavic or Germanic word for “oak-wood” or the German word for “woodcutter”.
Famous people with the name Scherb
- Maureen Scherb: a popular actor in the '90s who appeared in shows such as "Touched by an Angel" and "Columbo," as well as TV movies.
- Edgar Scherb: a German artist who specialized in depictions of pastoral and religious scenes.
- Les Scherb: an American NFL linebacker who played for the San Diego Chargers.
- Clifford J. Scherb: a sunrise man and the chief of the Shoshone-Paiute Tribes of the Duck Valley Indian Reservation in Nevada.
- Charlie Scherb: a stunt technician and second unit director who won the Academy Award for best visual effects for his work on the movie "Blade Runner".
- Wendy Scherb: an American film director and producer, best known for her documentary films such as "The Creek".
- Gary Scherb: an expert on audio engineering who has worked with prominent celebrities including Lionel Richie and Aerosmith.
- Anton Scherb: an Austrian composer and music teacher who wrote a textbook on music theory.
- Bert Scherb: a Russian-American tuba player who performed with the Meyerson Symphony and the Dallas Opera.
- Rudolph Scherb: an Olympic luger who represented Austria at the 1930 Games.