Verble Name History

A surname (from the Latin "super-nomen" – "over the name") is an additional name added to the proper name, for the sake of distinction, and so called because it was originally written over the other name, instead of after it. It is impossible to state at what precise period names became stationary, or began to descend hereditarily but it is believed to have been during the early Middle Ages. Of German surnames, Verble would appear to be of German origin, it has been said that family names did not come into general use until late in the Middle ages. First of all, the nobility in the twelfth century called themselves after ancestral seats; then among the citizens they were adopted in the fourteenth century, but did not become general until the sixteenth century.

In the case of the surname Verble this name appears to be an anglicized form of the German name Wirbel which is pronounced Verble or Virble; the "W" being pronounced as a "V" in the German language. According to etymologist, the name Wirbel/Verble is of nickname origin deriving from one called "sparrow". It is also possible that "Verble" may be of local origin indicating that the original bearer lived near a place frequented by sparrows. There are many surnames derived from "vrobl" including Wrobel, Robel, Wrobbel, Wrubel and Wurbel.

Source: Historical Research Center