Here are a couple descriptions: Hans Bahlow's Dictionary of German Names (English translation): Riebe (frequently in Hamburg) is Low German-Frisian short form of Rik-bern, Rik-bert, Rik-bod, see Riebold for Rikbold. Nic.(olas?) Ribe, Greifswald 1371, Ribo, Lübeck 1275. See also Ribbe. Ribbe (fairly frequent in Hamburg) beside Rippe is Frisian-Dutch short form of Rippert, Rippert (Rikbert 'glorious ruler') or of Ribbern (Rik-bern0 and Rik-bod, Rik-bild. In Bremen 1339-42 a councillor Riebernus campsor = Rippe campsor. Also in Bremen 1421 Ribbeke 1353 as short form of Richurgis 1301. In Lüneburg 1369 Rippe von Soltwedele. In Frisia 1422 patronymic Rippert Ripperda. See also Rippen, Ripping, Riepen, Riepena. (Listen to the sounds - B and P are interchangeable in German) In Hanks & Hodges' Dictionary of Surnames: Riebe - Ryba - Polish, Czech, and Jewish (E Ashkenazic)- metonymic occupational name, nickname, or ornamental name from the Slavic term ryba - fish. As an occupational name it may have denoted a fisherman or a seller of fish. As a nickname it may have been bestowed on account of some fancied physical resemblance to a fish. among the languages stated, for German (of Slavic origin) Riebe, Reibe; also Reibke, Riebisch, Reibisch There is a Joh. Friedr. Riebe, Schneidermeistr. (Master tailor) holl. Waaren, auch Commiss. u. Nachweisungs-Compt. Venusberg No. 97 (Hamburg 1826 Address-Buch) Maureen ************************************** AOL now offers free email to everyone. Find out more about what's free from AOL at http://www.aol.com.