Find out how popular the last name Gebreab is in the United States and learn more about the meaning, history, and race and ethnic origin of people in America who are named Gebreab.

Gebreab, like all of the last names we have data for, is identified by the U.S. Census Bureau as a surname which has more than 100 occurrences in the United States in the Decennial Census survey. The most recent statistics we have for the Gebreab surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Gebreab in America

Gebreab is the 153769th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Gebreab surname appeared 106 times in the 2010 census and if you were to sample 100,000 people in the United States, approximately 0 people would have the surname Gebreab.

The history of the last name Gebreab

The surname GEBREAB has its origins in Eritrea, a country located in the Horn of Africa. It is believed to have emerged during the medieval period, around the 13th or 14th century.

The name GEBREAB is derived from two distinct Tigrinya words: "Gebre," meaning "servant" or "slave," and "Ab," which is a reference to "God" or the "Almighty." Together, the name can be interpreted as "servant of God" or "slave of God," reflecting a deep connection to religious beliefs and practices.

Historical records from Eritrea and Ethiopia suggest that individuals bearing the surname GEBREAB were often associated with religious institutions or served as servants within monasteries or churches. The name's roots can be traced back to the era of the Axumite Kingdom, a powerful empire that existed in the region from approximately 100 AD to 940 AD.

One of the earliest known references to the name GEBREAB can be found in a manuscript dating back to the 16th century, which documented the names of individuals involved in the construction of a church in the highlands of Eritrea. It is believed that some of the workers or artisans carried this surname.

Throughout history, several notable individuals have borne the surname GEBREAB. One such figure was Gebreab Woldeselassie (1885-1953), a prominent Eritrean educator and writer who played a significant role in promoting education and literacy in the region during the Italian colonial period.

Another prominent individual was Gebreab Desta (1908-1988), an Eritrean politician and diplomat who served as the first ambassador of Eritrea to the United Nations after the country gained independence in 1993.

In the realm of sports, Gebreab Ghebremeskel (born 1993) is a well-known Eritrean long-distance runner who has represented his country in various international competitions, including the Olympic Games.

Additionally, Gebreab Habtemichael (born 1975) is an Eritrean-American filmmaker and writer known for his work in exploring themes of identity, migration, and cultural heritage.

Lastly, Gebreab Zewengel (1929-2008) was an influential Eritrean artist and sculptor whose works captured the spirit and traditions of Eritrean culture and society.

While the surname GEBREAB has its roots in Eritrea, it has spread to other parts of the world through migration and diaspora communities, carrying with it a rich cultural and historical significance.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Gebreab

We also have some data on the ancestry of people with the surname Gebreab.

The below race categories are the modified race categories used in the Census Bureau's population estimates program. All people were categorized into six mutually exclusive racial and Hispanic origin groups:

1. White only
2. Black only
3. American Indian and Alaskan Native only
4. Asian and Pacific Islander only
5. Hispanic
6. Two or More Races

For the most recent 2010 census data, the race/ethnic origin breakdown for Gebreab was:

Note: Any fields showing (S) means the data was suppressed for privacy so that the data does not in any way identify any specific individuals.

Data source

The last name data and ethnic breakdown of last names is sourced directly from the Decennial Census survey, conducted every 10 years by the United States Census Bureau.

The history and meaning of the name Gebreab was researched and written by our team of onomatology and genealogy experts.

If you have a correction or suggestion to improve the history of Gebreab, please contact us.

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