Surname Oberdick - Meaning and Origin
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Oberdick: What does the surname Oberdick mean?
The last name Oberdick is of German origin, with the word “Ober” meaning “upper” or “higher” and “dick” typically deriving from the Middle High German word “dicke” meaning “thick” or “strong”. As such, the name Oberdick can be interpreted to mean a person who is considered to be of higher rank, someone well respected and regarded for their strength, reliability, and dependability.
The Oberdicks of present day trace their lineage back to the mid-17th century in Germany, where an Oberdick family is known to have lived in the area of Heidelberg. The Skeleton, or Register of the Nobles and Inhabitants in Heidelberg documents mention a merchant of Heidelberg with the surname Oberdick dated 1677.
By the 19th century, the Oberdicks had fanned out across Germany and into the Czech Republic and the Netherlands. Immigration records from this time point to a number of Oberdicks journeying to the United States to begin a new life. Throughout the 20th century, Oberdicks continued to move and settle in many other countries around the world.
Today, a great many Oberdicks can be found in Germany, the United States, and the United Kingdom. It is believed that there are somewhere in the region of 2,000 people who can currently trace their ancestry back to the original Oberdick family in Germany.
Order DNA origin analysisOberdick: Where does the name Oberdick come from?
The last name Oberdick is most commonly found among Amish and Mennonite populations living in Pennsylvania, as well as in Ohio and Indiana. It is also found in Germany, as well as in parts of Canada. This surname is believed to have originated in Germany around the 13th century.
The meaning of the name Oberdick is thought to be an occupation or a person in a high-ranking or noble position. This is supported by the fact that in the German language, the prefix Ober- translates as "over" or "upper." This could refer to a person in a high position of leadership, such as a knight or a lord.
In the United States, the Oberdick name is most commonly seen in Amish and Mennonite populations. The Oberdick name is typically found in the Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, area, but it can also be seen in Ohio and Indiana, where a large number of Amish and Mennonites live.
Oberdick is still a common last name today in both the United States and Germany. In the United States, it is mostly found among Amish and Mennonite communities throughout the Midwest and Eastern United States, particularly in Pennsylvania, Ohio, and Indiana. Meanwhile, in Germany, it is still a commonly found last name in several regions.
Variations of the surname Oberdick
The surname Oberdick is an occupational surname of Germanic origin. It is derived from the personal name “Oda”, which means “wealth, fortune, or prosperity.” Variants of Oberdick include Oberdieck, Oberdicke, Oberdeck, Oberdecke, Oberdik, Oberdich, and Oberduc. In German, the eck or ecke endings denote a state of smallness: a small, humble valet, or a small shopkeeper. It is possible that this was the trade of the original bearer of the name. Spellings of Oberdick can be found in German records in the form of “Obergerdick”, “Obergießer Dick”, “Obergürds Dick”, “Oberiel Dick”, and “Obersalz Dick”. The surname’s popularity increased after the Thirty Years’ War when people fled to more hospitable places in Europe. As many people journeyed away from their homeland, names were changed, sometimes in order to fit more easily into the new language. Due to this, many different derivatives of the Oberdick surname exist in various countries. In the United States, there are several spellings of the name, such as: Oberdik, Obertdicks, Overdick, Overdeck, and many more. In the Netherlands, some of the variants of Oberdick found are Overdijk, Overdieck, Overdick, Overdeck, Obertdik, and Obertdeck. In France, the name is spelled Overdick. In England, Oberdick’s variants include Oberdik, Overdick, Overdeck, and Obertdick. In Poland, some of the variants are: Obertdik, Oberdeck, Overdeck, Overdick, and Odarck. Surnames of the same origin as Oberdick, include: Ozerdick, Oeridk, Obendorf, Odenstern, Odel, Otten, Ocker, and Ohlman.
In conclusion, there are many variants and different spellings of the surname Oberdick. This is due to the migratory movements of Germanic people, as well as the simple change of spellings due to the different languages and countries traveled to.
Famous people with the name Oberdick
- Amber Oberdick: American artist and creator of Madd Bunny Art whose work focuses on conservation and environmental awareness
- Chris Oberdick: former professional baseball pitcher who played one season in the MLB in 1988
- E. J. Oberdick: professional golfer who has won two professional tournaments
- Frauke Oberdick: German actress, who is best known for her supporting roles in movies such as "Bright Nights" and "Goodbye Berlin"
- John Oberdick: American computer scientist and Professor Emeritus at the University of Pittsburgh
- Jüvi Oberdick: Estonian photographer and musician who has had his work featured in Nordic film festivals
- Kevin Oberdick: American artist best known for his distinctive multi-layered abstract paintings
- Paul Oberdick: German illustrator and comic book artist whose work includes "The Nine Worlds" and "Timebeast"
- Philip Oberdick: Hollywood producer and executive producer of animated films, including three Academy Award-winning films
- Steve Oberdick: American professional soccer player who has played for several teams in the United Soccer League