Surname Oberbichler - Meaning and Origin
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Oberbichler: What does the surname Oberbichler mean?
The last name Oberbichler is a very old German-Austrian surname, meaning 'one from the upper birches'. It has its roots in Middle High German, with " Ober" meaning 'upper' and "bichel" or "bichelar" meaning 'birch'. The name likely originated as a toponymic surname, referring to an area or village in either Germany or Austria known as Oberbichelar.
The surname first appears in records dating back to the late 1400s, and was most likely the name of a noble family, as it was common for families of elevated social standings to take surnames from topographical features. It appears especially in records from the Free Imperial City of Augsburg, Bavaria, during this time, making it likely that the Oberbichler name originates from this part of Germanic Europe.
In modern day, the Oberbichler surname is still commonplace in German-speaking countries, especially in southern Germany and Austria. While its meaning and origin remain largely unchanged, it is now often used by non-noble families as well, indicating its versatility in diversifying its use throughout time.
Order DNA origin analysisOberbichler: Where does the name Oberbichler come from?
The last name Oberbichler is of German origin. Today it is most commonly found in Switzerland and Austria, although it is also common in Germany, the Czech Republic, and in parts of Slovakia, Hungary, and Slovenia. The surname is particularly common in the canton of Bern in Switzerland, where it can be found in the cities of Bern, Burgdorf, Thun, and Meiringen.
The surname is still quite rare elsewhere, although there are a few Oberbichlers living in the United States and Canada. Especially in the United States, the surname is often found amongst immigrants who came from German-speaking countries in the 19th and 20th centuries.
The etymology of the surname suggests that it was originally a habitational name for a person from Oberbichl, which is located in Austria. The name literally means "Above the Brook" in reference to its location near a creek or stream.
Given its limited geographical spread, it is likely that the surname Oberbichler is connected to a common ancestor who lived in the region surrounding modern-day Austria and Switzerland centuries ago. Nevertheless, the widespread usage of the surname denotes a significant degree of migration of people with the last name throughout Europe as well as to locations elsewhere in the world, such as the United States and Canada.
Variations of the surname Oberbichler
The surname Oberbichler has two main variants, Oberbichl and Oberbickel, as well as three alternative spellings, Oberbichler, Oberbichel, and Oberbickel. The surname is believed to have originated in Austria, where it is most commonly found among Austrian populations.
In addition to these variants, other surnames with similar origins include Oberebicher, Obereibi, and Oberenbacher. The variants of the surname are variations of the original root words, bichl and bickel, meaning “mountain pass” and “ridge”, respectively. This can be seen in the prefix of the surname, ober, meaning “upper”.
Other related surnames include Oberberger, Oberhauser, Obarella, Obendörfer, Obermüller, Oberena, Oberleitner, Obermeier, Oberegger, Oberkofler, Oberreuter, Obergraf, Oberlander, Oberwinkler, and Oberhofer. All of these surnames have origins in Austria, but are also found in other parts of the world where populations of Austrian descent immigrated.
The Oberbichler surname is an uncommon one, but it is a variation of numerous surnames with Austro-Bavarian roots. It is an excellent example of how common surnames, with similar beginnings, evolved to become the distinct variants we know today.
Famous people with the name Oberbichler
- Ernst Oberbichler: Austrian bobsleigher who won an Olympic gold medal in Calgary in 1988.
- Irene Oberbichler: Former politician from Austria, served on the Carinthian Parliament from 2013-2017.
- Michele Oberbichler: Uruguay-born Italian basketball player who plays for Eczacibasi Vitra in the Turkish Women's Basketball League.
- Bernhard Oberbichler: Austrian luger who competed at the Sochi Olympic Games in 2014.
- Birgit Oberbichler: Austrian alpine skier who competed in the 2006 Winter Olympics.
- Friedrich Oberbichler: Austrian opera singer who debuted at the Salzburg Festival in 1956.
- Annemarie Oberbichler: Austrian skater who won the gold medal at the 1976 World Team Trophy in Stockholm.
- Max Oberbichler: Austrian soccer player who competed in the 1960 Summer Olympics.
- Wolfgang Oberbichler: Austrian ski jumper who competed in the 1964 Winter Olympics.
- Kurt Oberbichler: Austrian former football player who won the Bundesliga title with Bayern Munich in 1985.