Jacobs

Jacobs is a surname and place name. It derives from the given name Jacob, from the Hebrew Ya'akov, traditionally interpreted as “supplanter” or “holder of the heel.” The surname spread across Europe and to Jewish diasporas, with variants including Jacob, Jakobs, and Jacobi.

Geographically, Jacobs appears in the names of towns, neighborhoods, and other localities in North America and Europe, and it is carried by many individuals across a range of professions in modern times. As a patronymic form, it has become common in several languages and cultures, contributing to its wide distribution.

Several organizations and institutions use the name. Jacobs University Bremen in Germany is a private research university named after the Jacobs Foundation and donors. Jacobs Engineering Group is a multinational engineering and professional services firm based in the United States. The Jacobs Foundation is a Swiss philanthropic organization focused on education, youth, and development.

Jacobs is also a well-known consumer brand for coffee and related products in Europe, produced by Jacobs Douwe Egberts and marketed as a mass-market coffee brand in multiple countries. The name appears in various commercial and cultural contexts, reflecting its broad recognition across decades.