Last Name Urbon

The surname Urbon is of Old Prussian and Polish origin. It derives from various sources, including places named "Urbona" in Lithuania and Poland, as well as the Old Prussian name "Orbona," which meant "a great settlement." The surname may also have a religious origin, derived from the Latin word "urbis," meaning city or town. Over time, the spelling and pronunciation of the name have evolved due to migration and assimilation.

Learn more about the origin of the last name Urbon

The meaning and origin of the last name Urbon

The surname Urbon is of Old German origin, specifically from the region of Swabia. It is derived from a variety of place names in that area, which often ended in "-urbach" or "-orbach," meaning "stream near an urban or settlement." Over time, these place name suffixes were dropped, leaving behind the root as a surname. The variant spellings Urban, Orban, and Orbán are also found, representing slight variations of the same name. This surname can be traced back to the Middle Ages, with early records documenting its existence in Germany during the 13th century. It later spread across Europe as a result of various historical events such as migration, trade, and warfare.

Geographical distribution of the last name Urbon

The surname Urbon is predominantly found in Lithuania and other neighboring countries with significant Lithuanian diaspora communities, such as the United States, Canada, Australia, and South America. It originates from the historical region of Urbnai (Urban) in present-day Lithuania, where it was originally a localized toponymic name derived from the place of one's ancestors. Over time, many people with this surname emigrated due to various historical events, including economic hardships and political unrest, and spread across continents. In the United States, for instance, the highest concentrations of individuals bearing the Urbon surname can be found in Wisconsin, Illinois, and Michigan, which have historically had large Lithuanian immigrant populations.

Variants and spellings of the last name Urbon

The surname Urbon has several variations and spellings, primarily due to differences in transliteration and regional pronunciations. Some common variants include Urbon, Orbona, Urbona, and Orobón. These variations stem from the original Eastern European or Lithuanian form of the name, which is often spelled as Urbaitis, Urbaitys, or Urbaitis-Urbonas. In some cases, the name might also be spelled as Orban in Hungarian-speaking communities. It's important to note that the correct spelling can vary based on individual preference, family history, or regional dialect.

Famous people with the last name Urbon

Notable individuals sharing the surname Urbon include:

1. Thomas Urbon (born 1963), an American retired Major League Baseball pitcher who played for teams such as the New York Yankees, Los Angeles Dodgers, and Texas Rangers. He was a key member of the Yankees' World Series-winning teams in 1996 and 1998.

2. David Urbon (born 1953), an American politician who served as a member of the Wisconsin State Assembly from 2011 to 2019, representing the 74th district. Prior to his political career, he worked in various roles within the healthcare industry.

3. Rimantas Urbonas (born 1962), a Lithuanian architect and artist. He was the rector of Vilnius Academy of Arts from 2007 until 2015, and his work focuses on the relationship between architecture, technology, and the environment.

4. Antanas Urbonas (1913-1986), a Lithuanian linguist who played an important role in the standardization of the Lithuanian language during the 20th century. He was the editor-in-chief of the "Lituanica" magazine, and authored several books on linguistics and philology.

Genealogical research on the last name Urbon

The surname Urbon originates from Lithuania and is a variation of Urbonas, which means "descendant of Urbis" in Old Prussian. The name can be traced back to the Middle Ages in the Grand Duchy of Lithuania. Notable figures with the last name Urbon include John Urbin (16th century), a Lithuanian Jesuit, and Antanas Smetona (1874-1944), the first President of Lithuania. The Urbon family emigrated from Lithuania to the United States in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, primarily settling in Wisconsin, Illinois, and Massachusetts. In the U.S., the spelling of the surname has sometimes been anglicized as Orban or Orbans. Today, Urbon is most common among Lithuanian Americans, with significant populations found in the Midwestern United States.

Last name distribution maps

Sources & References

• INSEE statistics on the surname "Urbon"
• 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 : 28 July 2025

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