Surname Obering - Meaning and Origin

Obering: What does the surname Obering mean?

Obering is a German surname of aristocratic origin. The name is believed to derive from the German root "Ober," which translates to "upper" or "first." This suggests an upper-level status within the social hierarchy of the Middle Ages, likely implying the head of a family or noble dynasty.

The Obering surname is most commonly associated with the Baumgarten family, an old noble German family that was documented in the 14th century. According to a published genealogy report, the first member of the family to bear the Obering surname was Eberhard Baumgarten, who titled himself "Obering" in 1387.

The surname is still found throughout Germany, particularly in Bavaria. Obering is a particularly common surname in the village of Kranzberg, located in Bavaria. Obering also has a presence in Australia, the United States, Brazil, and other countries.

In various German-speaking countries, Obering is often Anglicized to "Upping," "Opping," or "Oppers." These changes in spelling may reflect the fact that some families moved away from the traditional spelling as they assimilated to a different region or culture, or because of a more phonetic form of pronunciation.

The Obering name has been linked to the medieval Baumgarten family but is no longer tied directly to any aristocratic line. The name is now a symbol of a proud German heritage and a reminder of a family's noble past.

Obering: Where does the name Obering come from?

The last name Obering is most commonly found in the United States today. According to the US Census, there were just over 900 families with the last name Obering living in the United States as of 2019. This makes Obering a relatively rare surname.

The majority of families with the last name Obering live in the Midwest, particularly in Minnesota and Wisconsin, along with small numbers in most other states, including Montana, Oklahoma, and Kansas. However, there is also a significant presence of the Obering surname in New Mexico and Texas.

The Obering surname originated in Germany and became associated with the town of Oberding near Munich. But it is also found in other parts of Europe, particularly Austria and the Netherlands. It is likely that the first Obering settlers in the US came from these countries.

Regardless of where families with the last name Obering are located, it seems that most people who bear it share common traits: a strong bond to family and a great dedication to their work. There is evidence that this might be connected to the Obering surname’s German heritage.

Variations of the surname Obering

Obering is an Old German or Ashkenazic Jewish last name that originated in the ancient region of Prussia (now part of the country of Germany). The surname Obering is derived from the Middle High German word “oberinc” or “oberinck”, which means “high one”.

Variants of the surname Obering include Oberesha, Oberinc, Oberinck, Oberaugh, Oberg, Obrich and Ober. Spellings of the surname Obering include Oebriche, Oebrich, Oebriche, Oberauh, Oberock and Odering.

Surnames of the same origin as Obering include Oberman, Overyang, Oberhausen, Oberhagen, Oberhofer and Oberhoff. Other related surnames are Obermeyer, Oberstrasser, Oberheide, Oberholtzer and Oberholz.

The surname Obering is found mainly in Germany, the Netherlands and the United States. It is a relatively uncommon name and is mainly used in Germany and other German-speaking countries.

In the United States, the surname Obering is most commonly found in Pennsylvania, Ohio, Wisconsin, Kentucky, New York and Texas. It is a common name among German Americans and is found in many family genealogies.

Famous people with the name Obering

• Hans Obering: A former lieutenant general in the United States Air Force, Hans Obering served as the director of the Missile Defense Agency from 2007 to 2009, overseeing the development and testing of the country’s missile defense systems.
• Ivor Obering: Ivor Obering is an actor and producer best known for his work on Tales of Everyday Magic (2016) and Norm of the North: Keys to the Kingdom (2018).
• Hermann Obering: A German diplomat, Hermann Obering was a long-time adviser to Chancellor Konrad Adenauer during the 1950s and '60s and instrumental in establishing diplomatic relations between Germany and Spain.
• Klaus Obering: Klaus Obering is a retired German football player who is best known for playing as a goalkeeper for the German teams Borussia Dortmund and MSV Duisburg.
• Eberhard von Obering: A Deacon at the University of Heidelberg and a professor of Christian doctrine in the 16th century, Eberhard von Obering was an important figure in the early Protestant Reformation.
• Erwin Obering: A German engineer and entrepreneur, Erwin Obering founded regiocom, a telecommunications company, in 1989 and served as the company’s CEO until 2009.
• Helmut Obering: Helmut Obering was a German composer and teacher, and was largely known for his “school compositions” which he wrote for his many students.
• Freddie Obering: Freddie Obering is a former professional baseball player who played as a pitcher for the Cleveland Indians in the 1950s.
• Wolfram Obering: Wolfram Obering was a German World War II general who was a recipient of the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross from Hitler and who later served as a defense attorney in the post-war Nuremberg trials.
• Friedrich Obering: Friedrich Obering was a German botanist and geologist, particularly recognized for his work on dendrology and plant physiology.

Other surnames

Oberist