In the late middle ages, the surname Priebe starts to appear in what is now NW Poland and NE Germany. One early Priebe was a Lutheran cattle herder named Kersten who was born around 1600 in the area and ultimately settled in Marienwerder, Prussia (NW Poland). This project is to help determine which Priebe lines are related and how. Additional information will be posted as tests and genealogy becomes clear. The name appears to be a derivative of the Slavic name "Pribislav" which means either "pierced-glory" or "much more glory." It's possible the name honored one of several West Slavic princes with the name dating back to Pribislav of Serbia who ruled as prince of the Serbs for one year in 891-892. It's also possible that the name comes from the area - one small town being "Alt-Priebkow." So Priebe meant - people from Priebkow. However the town is still very small and it's not yet been determined if the town was named for the Priebes or the Priebes were named for the town.