Surname Obermuller - Meaning and Origin
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Obermuller: What does the surname Obermuller mean?
The surname Obermuller is of German origin and is derived from two words - 'Ober', meaning 'upper' or 'top', and 'Muller' which is an occupational term for 'miller'. Hence, the name can roughly be interpreted as the 'upper miller' or 'chief miller'. The name may refer to someone who worked as a miller in the upper part of a region or a chief miller in charge of several mills. It indicates a strong connection to a family's geographic location or occupation. As with many surnames, the specific meaning can be a little more complicated, and relates to a time and place where mills and milling were integral parts of the community, and 'higher' or 'upper' could have different implications, including status, seniority, or location. It's important to note that exact interpretations can vary and the meaning could have evolved over time.
Order DNA origin analysisObermuller: Where does the name Obermuller come from?
The last name Obermuller is most common in German-speaking countries today, especially in Germany, Austria, Switzerland, and Liechtenstein. The surname is derived from the Middle High German word "ubermöllere," and it was likely a name that was given to millers who lived near rivers or other bodies of water. Records of the surname date back to the 14th century in Germany, where it was most commonly found in the southern regions of the country.
Today scientists have determined that Obermuller families are highly concentrated in certain areas of Germany, including Bavaria, Baden-Wuerttemberg, Hesse, and Saxony. Other countries where the surname is present in higher-than-average frequencies are the Netherlands, France, and Belgium.
Interestingly enough, the surname can also be found in the United States today. Though Obermuller is an uncommon surname in the country, it is mainly found in the state of Wisconsin, where it is likely due to German immigrants who settled there in the 19th century. In fact, Obermuller was the 714th most common surname in Wisconsin in the 2000 US Census.
Variations of the surname Obermuller
The surname Obermuller is a German and Swiss locational surname. It is derived from the German word 'Ober', meaning 'upper' or 'uppermost' and 'Müller' which is an occupational name meaning 'miller'.
Variants of the surname Obermuller include Obermuuller, Omermiller, Obermoller, Obermiller, O'Muller, Oemmller, Obermühle, Obere Mühle, Obermular and Ommüller.
The spelling of the surname Obermuller can also vary, depending on the language in which it is written. These spellings include Omermüller, Oemmüller, Omüller and Ommüller. In some cases, the spelling of the surname Obermuller is changed to a phonetic version due to difficulty pronouncing the German umlaut. This includes a change to Omermulle.
In addition, the Obermuller surname can take on less common variants such as Ombermulle and Ombermuller.
Surnames of the same origin as Obermuller vary in different countries. These include Obermeier in Germany, Umbert and Umberg in Austria, Umberti in Italy, Obermöller in Switzerland and Obermillar in Scotland.
Famous people with the name Obermuller
- Oskar Obermuller: Oskar is a Swiss Olympic rower who won a silver medal in men's quadruple sculls at the 2004 Athens and 2008 Beijing Olympics
- Johann Obermuller: Johann is a prominent figure in 19th century German music, art, and culture. He was an early proponent of Romantic music, especially lieder and was part of the so-called “Group of Vienna.”
- Hans Obermuller: Hans was a German mountaineer and early explorer who set a record for climbing the highest peak in the Change Range of the Swiss Alps. He was the first to summit the Gross Glockner, now the tallest mountain in Austria.
- Judith Obermuller: Judith is a German architect who has created award-winning sustainable designs that incorporate a range of modernist elements.
- Dietrich Obermuller: Dietrich was a German filmmaker who helmed multiple critically acclaimed films. His works spanned from psychological thrillers to romantic comedies.
- Christoph Obermuller: Christoph is a manager of Bayer Leverkusen who led the team to the UEFA Champions League quarterfinals in 2014 and a fourth-place finish in the Bundesliga in 2020.
- Ludwig Obermuller: Ludwig was a Bavarian gothic painter active in the 1520s. He is known for his prominent use of light and shadow, as well as his heavily religious focus.
- Charlotte Obermuller: Charlotte was a German writer and feminist who championed women’s rights and emancipation. She wrote extensively on topics such as the wage gap and education.
- Peter Obermuller: Peter was a Bavarian politician and diplomat who was active in the late 19th century. He was the Bavarian minister of the interior, as well as a member of the German Imperial Diet.