Surname Drbal - Meaning and Origin
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Drbal: What does the surname Drbal mean?
The last name Drbal originates from the Czech Republic and is derived from the Slavic word “drbala”, which means tease or knavery. It was most commonly used as a nickname for someone who was known to be mischievous or up to no good.
Historically, the name is believed to have been first used by a northern Bohemian family in the 14th century. The Drbal family were originally a noble line of farmers and landowners and often held land near the towns of Olomouc, Príbram and Třebíč.
The most prominent member of the Drbal family is Vladimír Drbal, who was the former president of the Czech Republic from 2003-2013. During his time in office, he helped to rebuild the country's industry, particularly the food and manufacturing sectors, as well as making efforts to promote civil liberties and human rights.
Today, some of the most prevalent regions in which members of the Drbal family live in are kraj of Vysočina, Czech Silesia and other parts of Bohemia. There are also members of the surname living all over Europe, North and South America, Australia, Asia and Africa.
The Drbal surname is a reminder of past generations who helped to shape the world in which we live in today. It stands as a symbol of tenacity, resilience and strength, and perhaps a bit of mischief as well.
Order DNA origin analysisDrbal: Where does the name Drbal come from?
The last name Drbal is most commonly found in central Europe, where it is believed to have originated. It is mainly concentrated in the Czech Republic, Germany, Poland, Austria, and Slovakia. In the Czech Republic, Drbal is the 193rd most common surname, making it more common than almost every other surname in the country. Additionally, it is also prevalent in smaller numbers in other nearby countries such as Hungary, Romania, Bulgaria, and Croatia.
The origin of the Drbal surname has been debated, with some suggesting it may have originated from the Old Slavic word “dver”, meaning door. This could indicate the family were the keepers of a door or gate in a large estate. Alternatively, the surname may alternatively have come from the old Czech word “drbel”, meaning “darling”.
Today, the Drbal surname is most commonly found amongst the families of Central and Eastern Europe. It is not a particularly popular name in the United States but there are a small number of Drbal families living in the country. These are mainly descendants of immigrants who came to the US from Central and Eastern Europe in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, seeking better economic opportunity.
Variations of the surname Drbal
The surname Drbal is an ethnic Czech surname and has many variants, spellings, and surnames stemming from its original source. Drbal is a habitation name, which is a type of surname derived from a place where the original bearers of the name resided or once held land. The Czech diminutive of Drbal is Drbala. Other variants, spellings, and surnames which derive from the origin of Drbal include Drbalek, Drbalova, Drbalowsky, Drbalik, Drbalová, Drbalt, and Drbalsky.
Drbal is derived from a personal name which is a diminutive of the name Adolf. Some variant spellings of the name Adolf are Adalbehrt, Adelbert, Adalbrecht, Alban, Albert, and Adolphe. Additionally, the Czech spelling Adalbert is also a variant form of the autocthonous Czech name.
Surnames with similar origins and derived from the Czech diminutive of Drbal include Drobilek, Droblik, Drobalski, Drobulski, Drobala, Drobalskiy, and Drobbels. Other surnames stemming from the origin and original spelling of the Czech surname Drbal include Draebel, Drablau, Draebel, and Draeblin. Surnames originating from Drbal-based names can also be found in Poland with the spelling Drabalska, and in Slovakia with the spelling Drabek.
Over time surnames stemming from the origin of Drbal have become quite common across different European countries; some more so than others. This demonstrates how the rapid expansion of populations and cultures has changed surnames and other forms of identity.
Famous people with the name Drbal
- Jiří Drbal, a Czech football defender
- Jiří Drbal, a Czech composer and music theorist
- Rudolf Drbal, a Czech chess master
- Milan Drbal, a Czech sports shooter
- Karel Drbal, a Czech sculptor
- František Drbal, a Czech actor
- Jirí Drbal, a Czech football midfielder
- Jan Drbal, a Czech chess master
- Antonín Drbal, a Czech sculptor
- Zdeněk Drbal, a Czech luger