We are asked about the origin of the name "Unglaub" so often, we decided to devote a page to explain our understanding of its origin. Please understand that I do not speak German and am relying on what I have been told by others more knowledgeable than myself.

The word "unglaub" in German means to "not think", to "disbelieve", "disbelief", "nonbelief" or "unbelief". My father, who grew up speaking dialectic Bavarian as  a boy in Louisville, Kentucky, was taught by his father that the name meant 'Heretic."

 According to oral history handed down from father to son, my family originally came from Augsburg, Bavaria, Germany. The family's original family name was "von Münchburg". The legend was that the von Münchburgs were followers of Martin Luther during the Reformation and converted to Protestantism. Unfortunately for them Bavaria was, and is to this day, deeply Roman Catholic and as a result their lands were confiscated, their title stripped, their name changed to "Unglaub" (for "unbeliever" or"heretic") and several were burned at the stake as witches.

I don't know much more after that until my ancestors immigrated to the United States and my Great-greatgrandfather John Unglaub naturalized in 1854 in Hamilton County, Ohio, foreswearing allegiance to the King of Bavaria.

Walter Unglaub