The Villages Ibach  

Ibach, Schwyz, Switzerland

Ibach near Oberkirch

  Ibach near St. Blasien, Germany has become a most popular snow skiing recreational area. Ibach, near Oberkirch, is now within the jurisdictional boundaries of the town, Oppenau. I'm told it looks as picturesque as ever.

Please feel free to contact the Webmeister, Art Ibach to contribute photographs of anything with the family name on it!  We will find a place to show it somewhere on this website.

By: Art Ibach

There are numerous villages throughout Switzerland and Germany named Ibach, Eybach and Eibach. Initially this author will discuss the three main villages named Ibach; because of their topographic and historic similarities. As information becomes available, we will add details to include the villages Eybach, Eibach and lesser known villages Ibach.  

Typically the small villages Ibach are located in a picturesque valley surrounded by mountains; with a stream named Ibach that cascades from one of the nearby mountains where the prized yew tree grew (grow). Coincident with the Crusades during the 11th, 12th, and 13th centuries, Benedictine Celtic monks from the island of Iona came to spread Christianity among the "pagan" natives of Germany and Switzerland. Iona is an island in the Hebrides off the west coast of Scotland; often abbreviated "I"! This Christian movement established at least three monasteries; one at Schwyz, Switzerland, another at St. Blasien, Germany and a third near Oberkirch, Germany.  

Each of these locations have certain similarities that can't be denied. Nearby, within five miles, is a village Ibach. The original village settlements were probably encampments for serfs working for the Church and/or a Prince or a Duke who had jurisdiction over that territory. These serfs were charged with the duties of yew harvesters, gatherers, processors and yew craftsmen; those who actually fashioned the bows into a finished product. During this period in history the demand was high for quality bows by Crusaders, professional archers and hunters.   Historically it is not clear why these people were no longer needed for these activities. Was the natural resource, the yew tree, depleted? With diminished interest in the Crusades was the demand for new archery equipment lessened? With the advent of the musket and other firearms during the 16th century, was the bow no longer a weapon of choice? Any or all of these factors could have caused a "downsizing" of the people from the villages Ibach.  

Once these people left their village Ibach and became "landed gentry" subject to taxation, they were given the surname Ibach to identify them from whence they came. When finding your 16th and 17th century Ibach roots and wondering from which village Ibach your people came; it's quite reasonable to assume they came from the village Ibach nearest to where your surname was first used. For example my early roots have been traced to Leiberstung, Baden, Germany. The nearest village Ibach is the one near Oberkirch.  

Today, Ibach, Schwyz, Switzerland is best known as the headquarters for Victorinox; the Swiss Army Knife Company.