Last Name Ebling

Learn more about the origin of the last name Ebling

The meaning and origin of the last name Ebling

The surname Ebling is of German origin, derived from the Old High German name "Ebelung", which means "little beaver" or "little eel". This name was originally a byname for someone thought to have characteristics resembling a beaver or eel, such as tenacity and adaptability. Over time, it became a hereditary surname in Germany, Switzerland, and other German-speaking regions. The spelling variations of the name include Ebeling, Eblinger, Ebeling, and Ebel. It is most commonly found today in regions with significant German ancestry.

Geographical distribution of the last name Ebling

The surname Ebling is predominantly found in Germany and Switzerland, with significant concentrations in these two countries. In Germany, it is most common in the regions of Baden-Württemberg, Rhineland-Palatinate, and Hesse, particularly in cities like Stuttgart, Mannheim, and Mainz. In Switzerland, it is more prevalent in the German-speaking cantons, such as Aargau, Thurgau, and Schaffhausen. The name also has smaller representations in other European countries due to migration waves, including Austria, France, and Belgium. Beyond Europe, there are some occurrences of the Ebling surname in the United States and Canada, primarily as a result of German immigration during the 19th and early 20th centuries.

Variants and spellings of the last name Ebling

The surname Ebling has several variations and spellings across different regions and time periods. Here are some of the known versions:

1. Ebling - This is the most common form of the surname, which originated from Germany, Switzerland, and Austria. It is a variant of names like Ebeling, Ebinger, and Aebli, all of which mean "bee keeper" or "bee farmer."
2. Eblyng - An Old English spelling of the name, though it's less commonly used today.
3. Aebling - A variant spelling found among German-American families.
4. Eblin, Eblen, and Ebeln - These are minor variations that may have developed due to phonetic changes or transcription errors over time.
5. Aeblie, Aebley, Eabley - Older spellings of the name that can be found in some historical records.
6. Aebl, Aebel, and Ebel - Shortened or simplified versions of the surname.
7. Aebli-Staehlin, Staehlin-Ebling, and Ebinger-Staehlin - Compound surnames that combine Ebling with other family names through marriage or patronymic tradition.

Famous people with the last name Ebling

Notable individuals sharing the last name Ebling include:

1. James C. Ebling (1930-2018), an American physician and medical researcher who made significant contributions to the field of pulmonary medicine, particularly in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). He served as the president of the American Thoracic Society and was awarded the Distinguished Service Award from the society.

2. Doris Ebling (1903-1974), an American actress who appeared in various films during Hollywood's Golden Age, including "The Maltese Falcon" (1941) and "The Mummy's Tomb" (1942). She was also a prominent radio actress, notably on the popular series "Suspense."

3. Kurt Ebling (born 1956), a German former professional footballer who played as a defender. He won the Bundesliga with FC Köln in 1978 and represented West Germany at the 1980 European Championship.

4. Richard J. Ebling (1932-1993), an American chemist and pharmacologist who made significant contributions to the understanding of drug metabolism, particularly cytochrome P450 enzymes. He received numerous awards for his work, including the Distinguished Scientific Award in Pharmaceutical Sciences from the American Pharmacists Association.

These individuals demonstrate a diverse range of accomplishments across various fields such as medicine, acting, and sports.

Genealogical research on the last name Ebling

The Ebling surname is of German origin, derived from various places named Ebeling or Eibling, found primarily in the Rhineland-Palatinate and North Rhine-Westphalia regions. The earliest recorded instance of this surname dates back to the mid-14th century when Konrad Ebling was mentioned in documents from Cologne, Germany.

As German immigrants ventured across the Atlantic, the Ebling name appeared in America during the 1800s. The largest number of Ebling settlers arrived between 1835 and 1865, largely in states like Ohio, Indiana, Wisconsin, Illinois, and Minnesota. Notable individuals with the surname include Carl Otto Ebling, a German-born American botanist who published numerous works on plant physiology, and Mary Ebling, an American librarian known for her work in library science education.

Today, the Ebling family can be found worldwide, maintaining connections through various genealogical societies and ancestry websites that allow researchers to trace their roots back to their European origins.

Last name distribution maps

Sources & References

• INSEE statistics on the surname "Ebling"
• Global distribution of the surname on Forebears.io
• Wikipedia Article

About the author :

NomOrigine Team
Passionate about genealogy, name history, and linguistics, we have been analyzing the origins of names for over 3 years. Our content is based on verified historical, etymological, and statistical data.
Last updated : 23 July 2025