Surname Obermeier - Meaning and Origin

Revelations from The Past: iGENEA DNA Test Insights into the Obermeier Lineage

Always intrigued with roots and familial kinship, the DNA test at iGENEA provided unexpected insights delving deep into the Obermeier lineage, showing surprising origins and connections, and fundamentally altering my understanding of self.

U. Obermeier

Obermeier: What does the surname Obermeier mean?

The surname Obermeier is a German name derived from the word 'Ober', meaning 'upper', and 'Meier', meaning 'a steward of the manor'. This indicates that the original bearer of the name was likely in some elevated position of authority, similar to an estate manager and overseer of a large farm, manor or estate.

Obermeier is a widely used surname throughout much of Europe, especially in countries where German heritage and culture is more predominant, such as Germany, Austria, and Switzerland.

By the early 1700s, the Obermeier family had settled in Pennsylvania, immigrating from Germany. Nearly one hundred years later, the Obermeier name made it to Nebraska, when Anton and Stephan Obermeier purchased land in Dawson Country in 1881.

The spelling of the Obermeier surname has changed over the generations. For example, Obermaier and Obermayer are sometimes used. The same is true of the pronunciation, with both Obermyer and Obermier being heard.

Regardless of the spelling or pronunciation, the Obermeier name continues to be an important part of many family genealogies, evoking memories of those pioneering German immigrants to America and the powerful place the Obermeier name holds in that history.

Obermeier: Where does the name Obermeier come from?

The last name Obermeier is most commonly found in Germany, with most of the individuals bearing the name originating there. It would appear that the name has remained localized to that area, with research showing the largest clusters of the name in Bavaria, Baden-Württemberg, Thuringia, Saxony, and North Rhine-Westphalia.

The source of the name can be traced back to the original usage of the word ‘meier’ meaning ‘steward’ or ‘administrator’ in the Middle Ages. This word was combined with other elements, such as chaufeur, bauer, and berger, to form a patronymic name. However, the ‘Ober’ prefix added to the front of the name is what distinguishes it from the others. Ober is a German word meaning ‘upper’ or ‘supreme’, and would have been used to designate someone of higher authority or rank in the area at the time.

The areas mentioned earlier then became the center for use of the name, and up until today that has remained largely true. Research shows large clusters of Obermeiers still in those same areas as well as the surrounding regions, pointing to the name not having gained the popularity of other surnames in other parts of the country or beyond. In fact, data suggests that there may be fewer than 10,000 people worldwide using the name today.

Variations of the surname Obermeier

The surname Obermeier is most likely of German origin. Variations on how this name can be spelled or pronounced include Obermeir/Obermeyer, Obermayer, Obermair/Obermauer, and Obermayr.

Surnames of similar origin may include variants like Obermaier/Obermeier/Obermaier, Obermair/Obermeyer/Obermayer, Obermeierh/Obermeiern/Obermaiern, Obermohl/Obermoel/Obermoll, Obermühl/Obermühl/Obermohl, Obernberger/Obernberger/Obergner and Oberne/Oberner/Obernau.

In Germany, the mischevious goblin-like creature known as a Klabautermann is a mythical creature that is associated with the Obermeier/Obermeir surname. This creature is thought to inhabit the ships of seafarers, to protect them against storms and bad luck. It is also thought to be mischievous, playing pranks on the crew and stealing things from the captain's cabin.

Obermeier can also be found in the Netherlands, or German-speaking areas in the Netherlands such as Friesland. Variations in the Netherlands include Obermeir/Obermair, Obermayer, Obermeierh/Obermeiern, Obermohl/Obermoll, Obermühl/Obermühl/Obermohl and Oberne/Oberner/Obernau.

The surname Obermeier is also found in some parts of America, it has been shortened to Obermeir, Obermair, Obermoll, Obermayer, or Obermühl. It is also found in parts of France and Switzerland. In France, variants include Obermayr, Obermayer, Obermeierh/Obermeiern/Obermaiern and Obermühl. In Switzerland, the variant Obermair is particularly common.

Overall, the surname Obermeier is found in many countries around the world, most often with a variation of spelling or pronunciation.

Famous people with the name Obermeier

• Ann Obermeier: Ann Obermeier is a German entrepreneur, with multiple international investments and business ventures, including the founding of multiple tech start-ups and investments.
• John Obermeier: John Obermeier is an American broadcast journalist, working for WLWT Cincinnati’s NBC affiliate and recently earned an Emmy for investigative reporting on a pharmaceutical drug smuggling case.
• Max Obermeier: Max Obermeier is a German professional soccer player, currently playing in the 2. Bundesliga with FC Erzgebirge Aue.
• Achim Obermeier: Achim Obermeier is a German professor, holding a double position at both Freie Universität Berlin and the Technical University of Berlin, researching the fields of medical engineering and industrial automation.
• Synje Obermeier: Synje Obermeier is a German wildlife photographer, recently exhibiting her work capturing the plight of different species’ on her photography expeditions to Kalimantan, Borneo.
• Jeffrey Obermeier: Jeffrey Obermeier is an American umpire, officiating Minor League Baseball games for more than 25 years and having reached the US Major League Baseball level earlier in his career.
• Franz Obermeier: Franz Obermeier is a German Catholic priest and author, having written a number of novels, several based upon his memoirs.
• Martin Fritz Obermeier: Martin Fritz Obermeier is a German composer, living in Munich and having written musical compositions for many renowned works, including the Lord of the Rings films.

Other surnames

ObermeirObermeit