Surname Rab - Meaning and Origin
all surnames with 'R'
Rab: What does the surname Rab mean?
The last name Rab is believed to be of Jewish origin, derived from a shortened form of Abraham. This name can also be spelled as “Rabbe”, “Rabe” and “Rabbi”, and is typically found among those descended from the Ashkenazi Jewish community of Eastern Europe.
The legacy of the name “Rab” is embedded in Jewish culture. It is a shortened form of the Hebrew word for “Rabbonim”, which translates to “Rabbi” or “Master”, and was used to refer to a leader in the Jewish community. This name would have been given to an esteemed leader in the family lineage, someone worthy of such honor. Thus, to carry such a name is to be associated with strength, wisdom, and holiness.
The name “Rab” can still be found among Ashkenazi Jewish communities today, and is often associated with technical rabbinic training. Those bearing the Rab surname often find themselves in positions of religious leadership, and are held in exceptionally high regard for their spiritual guidance and wisdom.
Ultimately, the name “Rab” is deeply rooted in Ashkenazi Jewish culture. It is often tied to reverence and holiness, without which the Jewish community as we know it would not exist. As such, it carries a special meaning and a sense of history that should not be forgotten.
Order DNA origin analysisRab: Where does the name Rab come from?
The Rab surname is most common in Croatia today. This surname is derived from the noun rab meaning wolf in South Slavic languages.
It has also been recorded in the Bács-Kiskun region of Hungary and in Serbia where it is known in various forms, such as Ráb, Rába, Rábey, and Rabey. The Rab surname is quite popular throughout the region and also in parts of Romania and Bulgaria.
In Croatia, the Rab surname is found mainly in the Northern Adriatic region, Elafiti Islands, Istria, Boka Kotorska, and Kvarner Coast. It is also found in the cities of Split, Zagreb, and Rijeka as well as in rural areas of eastern Croatia and eastern and southern Dalmatia.
The Rab surname is deeply rooted in Croatian culture, tradition and history. For example, both Roman Catholic and Orthodox churches in Croatia have records of the Rab surname. In the Church of St. Lawrence at Sveti Marku (Trsteno), there is a memorial plaque to a local ecclesiastical council meeting in 1288 that lists the name of Franič ibn Rabey.
Given its strong connection to Croatia, it is highly likely that the Rab surname would continue to be popular in Croatia and neighboring regions in the coming years.
Variations of the surname Rab
The surname Rab is a patronymic form of the name Rabbe, a Jewish occupational name that means rabbinic official. The surname is most commonly found in Norway, where it is the 422nd most common surname. The variants of Rab include Rabb, Rabe, Rabeh, Rabey, Rabi, and Rabbin. The variants are likely derived from various languages, including Hebrew and German.
The Hebrew variant, Rabi, is derived from the Hebrew word "rabi," which means master, teacher, or spiritual leader. Rabe is the German form of Rab, which means one who is famous and of noble bearing. Rabbin is derived from the Hebrew "rav," a title given to a religious leader in the Jewish faith.
Rabeh is an alternate version of the Arabic form of Rab, in which the letter ‘h’ is added as a suffix. The suffix is used to denote a sense of highness or royalty.
Rabey is the English variant of Rab, which is derived from the Old English pre-7th century word "rab," meaning a multipurpose worker, such as a farmer, herdsman, and gardener.
Spellings of the surname Rab include Rabe, Rabb, Rabeh, Rabey, Rabi, and Rabbin. These spellings are also the most common surnames of the same origin for Rab.
Overall, Rab is a common surname with various variants, spellings, and surnames of the same origin. The variants of the surname Rab derive from various languages, including Hebrew, German, and Old English.
Famous people with the name Rab
- Louis Boyle Rab, a Scottish-born cartoonist and illustrator.
- Dean Rab, an American actor known for his appearances in Creed, Grey's Anatomy, and Shameless.
- Windows Rab, an Indian film and television composer and actor.
- Iain Rab, a Scottish-born former professional football player, who played in the Scottish Premiership.
- Charles D. Rab, an American politician who was a member of the Alabama House of Representatives from 1941 to 1943.
- Janice Rab, a South African-born artist and sculptor.
- Anne Rab, an Australian politician, former member of the New South Wales Legislative Assembly, and former Deputy Speaker.
- Dwayne Rab, an American painter and sculptor.
- Richard Rab, an American professional physicist and Nobel Prize-winning scientist.
- Matthew Rab, an Australian musician, singer, and songwriter.