Surname Libertus - Meaning and Origin
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Libertus: What does the surname Libertus mean?
The last name Libertus is thought to have its origin in the Latin word for "free person," libertus. This was a name that was typically used to refer to a manumitted slave, freed from servitude by his or her owner. Roman law allowed slaves to be granted "manumission," or full legal freedom. As a result, slaves who had been granted their freedom, or who had been born free, often adopted this surname as a reminder of their privileged status.
The name Libertus is most commonly found in those who have Italian, Portuguese, Spanish, or Greek ancestry. It is commonly thought to be associated with the region of the world where large numbers of slaves were once held in bondage. This could be a sign of those individuals carrying the surname identifying themselves as freed slaves.
Although historically the surname Libertus was used to signify a freed slave, today it is simply a last name. Those who carry it possess the same rights and freedoms as everyone around them, and no longer needs to reference a dark and difficult past. To many, the last name Libertus serves as a reminder of the progress that has been made in terms of racial equality and human rights.
Order DNA origin analysisLibertus: Where does the name Libertus come from?
The last name Libertus is found mainly in Central and Eastern Europe, although some instances can be found elsewhere. It has strong roots in Poland, Germany, and Austria, with smaller instances found in Italy, Hungary, Lithuania, and Russia. In Poland, it is one of the more common surnames, often originating in East Prussia, the former German-speaking territory that is now part of modern-day Poland.
In the United States, Libertus is less common and limited to a few families of European descent. Most of them settled in the Midwest or the East Coast, primarily in Wisconsin, New York, Illinois, and Pennsylvania. It can also be found among descendants of some of the early settlers of the French colony of Quebec. In Canada, the surname is also found in Ontario and British Columbia.
In the United Kingdom, the last name is mostly limited to the descendants of the Commonwealth countries, given the name’s frequent associations with the Polish diaspora. It is also found among some of the descendants of Baltic Germans, who arrived in the 1800s.
Across the globe, Libertus remains a relatively rare surname, but nonetheless, it carries a deep legacy of history, culture, and tradition.
Variations of the surname Libertus
Libertus is a Latinized form of the Germanic name Libert, which has a few variations depending on the location and time period. In other Latinized forms, the name is spelled Libertus, Libertis, Libertinus, and Libertius. The French variant is spelled Liberté and in Italy, Libertelli, Libertini, and Libertucci are popular variants.
In the Netherlands, Libert is spelled Liebhart and in Germany, Liebhardt or Liebhert. Similarly, in Austria, Liebhard and Liebhart are the most common variations. It is also a name found in Scotland, where it is spelled Lebert, Liffert, Livett, Livery and Libberty.
In some parts of the United States, the surname Libertus has come to be used as a surname, usually pronounced 'liver-tus' with a hard 't' sound. Most of the Americanized versions are originated from Dutch and German roots. The Dutch variants include Livernash, Liberty, and Liberatori. The German variations include Leibfried,Leibhart, and Leiby.
In England, the surname Libertus is commonly Anglicized/Americanized as Liberty or Liberatori. In Poland, it is usually spelled Libertowski. In other parts of Europe, this name could be spelled Liberseth, Libertz, Liberdowski, Libertér, Libercczyk, and Libertzonian.
No matter the root word and spelling, Libertus usually translates to mean "free" and suggests a story of a family that started out as a freed serf or peasant.
Famous people with the name Libertus
- Chris Libertus: English footballer
- Alexander Libertus: American singer, guitarist, and songwriter
- Joanna Libertus: Polish astronomer
- Maxim Libertus: Dutch photographer
- Jessica Libertus: American actress
- Edwin Libertus: American rapper
- Dr. Lea Libertus: American neuroscientist
- Mark Libertus: American soccer coach
- Gary Libertus: American golf teacher
- Gregory Libertus: American professional baseball player