Surname Pribill - Meaning and Origin

Pribill: What does the surname Pribill mean?

The last name Pribill is of German origin. It is derived from a combination of two elements, 'pri' and 'bill', thus making it a locational surname. The term 'pri' likely comes from an older German word meaning ‘near’ or ‘close’, while 'bill' likely derives from a place name. Combined, the name references a location near a certain place.

There is limited history on the name Pribill, however, it is believed that it may have initially derived in Bavaria, then spread to other places in Europe in the Middle Ages. It is thought to have been one of many surnames brought to America by German settlers in the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries.

People with the surname Pribill today are likely descendants of these German settlers. The name is still most closely associated with Germany and German culture, while there is a small presence of Pribills around the world.

The Pribill surname is not especially common, however, it holds a long history with a proud heritage. Those who carry the name should take pride in its German roots and the journey it took to get to them.

Pribill: Where does the name Pribill come from?

Pribill is an uncommon surname found mostly in Germany, Switzerland, and Austria. The name is derived from a German word meaning "brave" or a Swiss-German word meaning "free will". It is found relatively infrequently in other parts of Europe as well. The surname is rather rare, with estimates of fewer than 300 people worldwide bearing the name.

The majority of Pribills living today are located in Germany, Austria, and Switzerland. The largest concentration of Pribill families is in the region of southwest Germany, in the state of Baden-Wurttemberg. Here, records exist of Pribill families living in small towns since at least the 1750s.

In the United States, the Pribill surname is largely concentrated in Pennsylvania, New York, Illinois, and Ohio. A few families are also located in Texas and California. Many of these families are descendants of German immigrants, and came to the US in the 1800s and 1900s.

The Pribill name is rare, but those who bear it have a long, proud history. From German small towns to the wilds of the American West, the Pribill name can be found in surprising places.

Variations of the surname Pribill

The surname Pribill can have a variety of spellings and variants, depending on the region it originated from and the language used. Common variants of the Pribill surname include Pribble, Probell, Prebil, Pruvell, Pravell, Preble, and Prebill.

The base name Pribill is believed to originate from the Old English language and is thought to have originally been spelled as Prybull. This version of the surname can be found in records dating back as far as the twelfth century. Over time, the spelling has been altered frequently due to clerical errors and changes in the language.

It is thought that the early forms of the word might have been adapted from the Old English words “Pry” which meant hill or mound, and “Bull” which meant a tall or large person. This could possibly mean the surname was originally a nickname for someone who was tall and heavy, a description which could have led to people with a great stature becoming known as Pribill.

Within Germany, the phonetic spelling of the surname has been seen as Pröbel or Pröbling. Meanwhile, further east in the Slavic countries of Poland and the Czech Republic it has been used as Prible, Pribil and Prybl.

The Pribill surname is generally believed to have originated in the United Kingdom and has been spread across Europe by people emigrating from the British Isles. Today, it is found in many countries across the globe including the United States, Canada, Australia and parts of South America.

Famous people with the name Pribill

• Rachel Pribill: singer-songwriter and Hawaiian artist
• Richard Pribill: former NHL professional ice hockey player
• Alexander Pribill: American bodybuilding champion
• Thomas Pribill: American racing driver
• Karl Pribill: German landscape painter
• Christian Pribill: political activist and businessman
• Dave Pribill: sportscaster for the Cleveland Indians
• Austin Pribill: American college baseball coach
• Steve Pribill: American track & field athlete
• Kern Pribill: artist and professor of visual arts
• Renée Pribill: Olympic-level water polo player, coach and referee
• John Pribill: CEO of restaurant franchise Culver’s
• Chris Pribill: American cinematographer
• Gary Pribill: producer and graphic artist.

Other surnames

Pribil