Surname Stober - Meaning and Origin
all surnames with 'S'
Stober: What does the surname Stober mean?
The surname Stober is derived from the Middle High German word ‘Stober’, which means ‘stallion,’ or 'horseman’ – suggesting that the original bearers of this last name may have been involved in the raising and breeding of horses. The family name is found predominantly throughout Germany, Austria, and Switzerland, and is rarely found elsewhere.
In Germany, the name Stober is found mainly in the regions of Lower Saxony, North Rhine-Westphalia, Rhineland-Palatinate, Bavaria, Thuringia, Saxony, Schleswig-Holstein, and Hamburg.
In terms of its etymology, the name Stober likely goes back to the Middle High German word ‘stob’, which means ‘influence’ or ‘power’ – suggesting that the original bearers of the name may have been powerful men. It could also be derived from the Middle High German word ‘stoebere’ or ‘stirper’, both meaning ‘horseman.’ This is supported by the fact that in some regions, the name is thought to be derived from the German word for ‘stallion’, ‘stubler’ or ‘stubhr.’
The name is also thought to be a variant of the surname Stör, which is also derived from the Middle High German word for ‘horse’. Over time, various dialects of the German language have led to the development of variant spellings of the original name, including Staeber, Stoebel, and Stoiber.
Thus, the name Stober is associated with great power or strength, possibly hinting at the occupation of the original bearers of the name. It could also connect to the breeding and raising of horses – and in some cases, symbolize great wealth, indicating people of a higher social class.
Order DNA origin analysisStober: Where does the name Stober come from?
The last name Stober is most commonly found in Austria, Germany, and Switzerland today. The exact origin of the name is unknown, but it is believed to have been derived from the Germanic personal name "Stobatr" which means "stubborn." It was likely primarily used in Northern Germany, and it quickly spread to other regions.
Today, Stober is a very common German-language surname. In Austria, it appears among the top 500 surnames. In Germany, it is the 320th most common last name. In Switzerland, it is the 4th most frequent name for the Swiss zone of Alsace.
Due to the German origin of the Stober name, it is most heavily concentrated in German-speaking areas of the world. In addition to Austria, Germany, and Switzerland, there are small pockets of Stober families in France, the United Kingdom, the United States, and Canada. The vast majority of the individuals with this last name are descended from Germans who immigrated to these new countries in the 19th and early 20th centuries.
Given its German roots, Stober remains a rather common surname, primarily in German-speaking areas of the world.
Variations of the surname Stober
The surname Stober, also known as Stöber, is an Ashkenazi Jewish name, derived from the German word “Stob”, meaning “staff”. It is thought to have originated in the area of present-day Chemnitz, and that it was adopted by Jews during the Middle Ages as a signifier of their occupation as merchants.
Variants and spellings of the surname Stober include Stöber, Stoeber, Stoberl, Stöberl, and Stöberle. It is also common for the surname to be translated into other languages, such as Polish (Stobierski) or Yiddish (Stoberer). Additionally, alternative surnames derived from Stober include Stobart, Stobbe, Stobbie, Stobey, and Stobieski.
The surname Stober is believed to have been in use for centuries, but the modern name itself is thought to have originated in the eighteenth century. During this time, widespread migration and intermarriage between Ashkenazi Jews and their neighbours led to the surname being adopted by many non-Jews. In addition, the surname spread widely as many Jews migrated to other parts of Europe and North America to escape religious persecution. As a result, Stober is now a relatively common surname in many parts of the world.
Famous people with the name Stober
- Djimon Stober: French footballer
- Hans-Friedrich Stober: German painter
- Dirk Stober: German entrepreneur and founder of Stober International GmbH
- Albrecht Stöber: German sculptor and painter
- Christian Stöber: German actor
- Ignaz Stöber: Austrian actor
- Richard Stöber: German actor
- Thomas Stöber: German Film director
- Nils Stober: Swiss cinematographer
- Dörte Stöber: German politician