Message: "Subilla?" - Behind the Name

Subilla?

by Cati (cati15)

4/2/2008, 2:18 PM

I found this name recently and thought it really interesting. Last name is Smith, and I can only assume it's female. The area in which I live is eastern Pennsylvania, with many people of German descent, if that helps. The person bearing the name was born in 1853, if that helps at all. Thanks in advance!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
I'm staying here and I'm not buying a gun
I'll just take my trouble as it comes
I know you've got it in for me
But I don't give a damn
I'd rather die while trying
Than to give up who I am

#Subilla

Replies

- Cati (cati15)

4/3/2008, 8:13 AM

Thanks Everyone!

- Melissa (telfalathiel) +4

4/2/2008, 4:45 PM

It looks like a spelling variation of Sybilla. Maybe a mistranslation. I've also seen it spelled Sebille. Anyway, Sybilla is a Latinate form of Sibyl, which itself appears to be a form of the Greek Sibylla meaning prophetess.

Edited to add more info.

This message was edited 4/2/2008, 4:49 PM

- Loxandra (E.K.)

4/3/2008, 7:12 AM

I like the "original" Sibylla - a genus of mantis (Sivila)

- Chrisell +2

4/3/2008, 4:10 AM

Agree . . .

I'd say it's either a variation of Sybilla, or a mis-transcription of Sybilla (a handwritten cursive 'y' would look like a 'u' if the tail were cut off).

- Camilla

4/3/2008, 8:41 AM

Yes, or in the case of Germans, the y makes the same sound as a u with an umlaut over it - so maybe it was an u-umlaut that was transcribed onto the document without the umlaut.

- Melissa (telfalathiel)

4/3/2008, 7:24 AM

Yes...

That would make a lot of sense, especially for the 1800s.

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