Surname Oberholtzer - Meaning and Origin
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Oberholtzer: What does the surname Oberholtzer mean?
The surname Oberholtzer is German in origin and is derived from the German words “ober” meaning upper or high and “holz” meaning woods or forest. Together these two words roughly translate to “high in the woods” or “high forest”, likely referring to the geographic area where someone with the Oberholtzer surname originated.
This type of surname is known as a toponymic, which generally denotes a location or feature from which the surname was derived. In some cases, it could also be a surname that was used to indicate a profession, such as a farmer or a woodsman. In other cases, it could be a nickname given to someone who lived or worked in the area, being based on some characteristic of the person or their profession.
Other German variations of the Oberholtzer surname include Oberhölzer, Oberholzer, Oberholzer, Oberholder, Hilbert, Hilberger, Hilpert, Hylbert, Hylpert, and Hülbert.
Oberholtzer is quite a common surname, and today many people can be found with this surname in Germany, as well as the United States, Canada, Australia, and other countries.
Order DNA origin analysisOberholtzer: Where does the name Oberholtzer come from?
The last name Oberholtzer is a German surname, and today it is most commonly found in Germany and throughout Central Europe. It is also fairly common in the United States, mainly in the Northeast and Midwest regions. Pennsylvania has the highest concentration of individuals with the surname Oberholtzer, with the other states with the most individuals being Ohio, Indiana, and Illinois. Furthermore, it is also common in Canada in the provinces of Manitoba, Ontario, and Alberta.
In Britain, the surname is predominantly located in the Sorento region. The most common spelling variations of the Oberholtzer surname are Oberholzer, Oherholtzer, Oberhalter, Oberholtz, Obergoltz, and Oberholz.
The etymology of the last name Oberholtzer is derived from the German words 'Ober' meaning 'upper', 'ahl' meaning 'noble', and 'holz' meaning 'wood'. Thus, the surname translates to 'nobleman of the upper wood'.
The Oberholtzer family line has traditionally been associated with farming. Today Oberholtzers are employed in a variety of professions, but many continue to work in the agricultural sector.
Thus, the last name Oberholtzer is most commonly associated with Germany and Central Europe, though individuals with this last name can be found throughout much of the world.
Variations of the surname Oberholtzer
The Oberholtzer surname is a German-language surname derived from the Middle High German word holtz, meaning 'wood.' Variants of this surname include Oberholtz, Oberholtzer, Oberholtzers, Oberholzer, Oberholzers, and Oberholz.
The Oberholtzer spelling is most common in Pennsylvania, the United States and Canada, as well as in South Africa. In Germany and other German-speaking countries, however, the Oberholtz variant is most common.
In the United States, Oberholtzer is also seen spelled Ohltzer, Oholtzer, Olzer, and Ohrholtzer. In the United Kingdom and Ireland, it is represented by Ohltzer, Oltz, Opitz, Opitzer, and Opz.
In Switzerland, Oberholtzer is spelled Oberh', Oberhö' or Obhö'' and variants appearing in records include Ohltz, Oltz, Ohlzzer, Olser, and Ölzer.
The Oberholtzer surname is thought to have been brought to North America by German immigrants in the 1700s and 1800s. Over time, it has gone through many spelling variations as it has been passed down through generations. As such, there is no single definitive spelling of this surname and many different spellings can be found in records.
Famous people with the name Oberholtzer
- Jamaar Oberholtzer: Jamaar Oberholtzer is an American-born Jewish entrepreneur, philanthropist, and entrepreneur. He is the founder of Marriage Equality USA and is an openly gay man active in the fight for LGBTQ rights.
- Mallory Oberholtzer: Mallory Oberholtzer is a TV personality and media consultant. She previously served as head of marketing for Quizlet and was recently featured on Bravo's show "Ladies of London".
- Ryan Oberholtzer: Ryan Oberholtzer is an actor and producer who's appeared in such films as "Star Trek Into Darkness", "Monsters vs. Aliens", and "Oblivion".
- Jane Oberholtzer: Jane Oberholtzer is a photographer and visual artist. Her work has been featured in numerous exhibitions and the New York Times.
- Andre Oberholtzer: Andre Oberholtzer is an American abstract impressionist and cubist painter. He exhibited at the famed Armory Show in 1914 and has had his works sold to such illustrious organizations as the Museum of Modern Art and the Art Institute of Chicago.
- Kyle Oberholtzer: Kyle Oberholtzer is a professional wakeboarder, competing in both national and international competitions. He also serves as clinician and motivational speaker.
- Paul Oberholtzer: Paul Oberholtzer is an attorney specializing in mediation and litigation. He has argued cases in local, state, and federal courts.
- Rachel Oberholtzer: Rachel Oberholtzer is a multi-media artist who works in a variety of mediums from painting and photography to sculpture and installation.
- Lynda Oberholtzer: Lynda Oberholtzer is a nationally recognized midwife and nursing instructor. She has been practicing and teaching health care professionals since the 1970s and is a senior lecturer at the University of Washington's School of Nursing.