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

Ribe, 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 Ribe surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Ribe in America

Ribe is the 137327th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Ribe surname appeared 122 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 Ribe.

We can also compare 2010 data for Ribe to data from the previous census in 2000. The table below contains all of the statistics for both years in a side-by-side comparison.

The history of the last name Ribe

The surname RIBE has its origins in Denmark, where it first appeared as early as the 13th century. It is believed to derive from the Old Danish word 'rib', meaning a small watercourse or stream. This suggests that the name may have originated from a particular locality or settlement situated near a stream or river.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name is found in the Danish Census Records of 1265, where a person named Thorkel Ribe is mentioned as a resident of the town of Ribe, located in southwestern Denmark. The town itself takes its name from the same Old Danish word, further strengthening the connection between the surname and its geographical origins.

During the Middle Ages, the name Ribe was primarily concentrated in the regions of Jutland and Funen, where it was associated with families involved in agriculture and fishing. In the 15th century, a notable figure bearing this surname was Hans Ribe, a merchant and ship-owner from the town of Ribe, who played a significant role in the local trade and economy.

As the centuries progressed, the name RIBE spread to other parts of Denmark and occasionally appeared in historical records and documents. In the 17th century, a scholar and theologian named Jens Ribe (1589-1655) gained recognition for his contributions to the Danish Reformation and his writings on religious matters.

Another notable individual with this surname was Peter Ribe (1703-1780), a Danish naval officer and explorer who led several expeditions to the Arctic regions in the mid-18th century. His voyages contributed to the mapping and exploration of the northern coasts of Greenland and the Canadian Arctic Archipelago.

The 19th century saw the emergence of Niels Ribe (1821-1892), a prominent Danish politician and statesman who served as the Minister of the Interior and later as the Minister of Foreign Affairs. His political career and influence played a significant role in shaping Denmark's domestic and international policies during that period.

While the surname RIBE has its roots in Denmark, it has also been carried by individuals of Danish descent to other parts of the world, particularly during periods of migration and emigration. Nevertheless, the name remains closely linked to its original Danish heritage and the geographical associations with the town of Ribe and the surrounding regions.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Ribe

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

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 Ribe 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.

Since we have data from the previous census in 2000, we can also compare the values to see how the popularity of Ribe has changed in the 10 years between the two census surveys.

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 Ribe was researched and written by our team of onomatology and genealogy experts.

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

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