Holbein is a surname of Germanic origin. It appears to mean "hollow leg" (Hol- + de:Bein); however, it could also have originally meant "hollow bone" or perhaps even have evolved from Holzbein, which could mean "wooden leg" or "wooden bone".

Some notable people who have been surnamed Holbein have been:

• Hans Holbein the Elder (1460–1524), German painter
• Hans Holbein the Younger (c. 1497–1543), son of Hans Holbein the Elder, court artist to King Henry VIII of England
• Ambrosius Holbein (1494–1519), German painter, son of Hans Holbein the Elder
• Sigmund Holbein (died 1540), German painter, brother of Hans Holbein the Elder

See also

• Hohlbein