Surname Oberndorf - Meaning and Origin
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Oberndorf: What does the surname Oberndorf mean?
The last name Oberndorf is derived from an ancient Germanic language and means “upper village.” This surname was likely used to refer to villages, estates, farms, and homesteads located on higher land. In German-speaking countries, such as Austria and Germany, the name is far more common than in other areas of the world.
The name could have been given to a person who either owned or lived in a higher village or to someone from a village that was considered higher relative to other nearby villages or settlements. It could also refer to a village located in the hills or mountains, as land at higher elevations is generally more valuable and desirable.
The name Oberndorf may be a variation of a place name that no longer exists, or it could have been adopted by several unrelated families, be derived from a family's home village, or even be indicative of a family's high social standing. In any case, it is likely that the name is rooted in ancient German language and refers to the location of a high village.
Order DNA origin analysisOberndorf: Where does the name Oberndorf come from?
The last name Oberndorf is a German surname, mainly found in the country's southwestern region. It is most common in the state of Baden-Württemberg, particularly in the administrative district of Stuttgart. Here, Oberndorf is the 54th most common surname, with many people bearing the name in the city of Karlsruhe as well as the nearby northern Black Forest region. Outside of Germany, the surname is still found in the priority areas of German-speaking immigration, including countries such as the United States, Brazil, Argentina, and Canada.
The surname is thought to have originated from the German word oberndorf, which directly translates to "upper village" or "upper town". This indicates that the family originated in an area located higher up on a mountainous region. Alternately, it may also come from an old residence or estate known as Oberndorf, a variant of a superordinate settlement name.
Overall, the last name Oberndorf is a fairly common one in Germany and some other parts of the German-speaking world. It is especially prominent in certain regions of the country, such as Baden-Württemberg, and it has also named found in some areas of German immigration in other countries. Many people living and bearing this last name today can trace their roots back to southwestern Germany.
Variations of the surname Oberndorf
The Oberndorf surname is of German origin and is derived from the place name of Oberndorf in the Rhineland state of Baden-Württemberg. The variants, spellings, and surnames of the same origin include Oberndorfer, Onterndorfer, Onnbörfer, Onnerndörfer, Onnerndorfer, Obiendäüfer, Obbiendäüfer, and Obanndäüfer.
Oberndorf, also sometimes spelled Obenndorf, is derived from the Old High German odar, meaning “above,” and durh, meaning “door.” Oberndorf literally means “above the door” and likely referred to a town situated atop a steep hill.
The Oberndorfer surname is generally found in the southern German region, but is also found in other nearby countries, including Austria. Often times, spellings and regional variations will change over time and the spelling might adjust to Oberdorfer or Obendorfer, for example. Further slight variations may include Oendorfer, Oenddorfer, Oenddorf, Onndorf, Onndorff, Oenndorfer, or Oennndoorfer.
Additionally, people with this surname may have abbreviated the name to become Ondorf, Oendorf, Undorf, Obendorff, Endorf, Endorff, Endorfer, Enddorf, Endoorfer, and countless other variations depending on the area of origin. Finally, the surnames Hinndorf, Heindorf, and Hendorf are most likely all derived from the Oberndorf surname.
Famous people with the name Oberndorf
- Margaret Oberndorf: the former president of WEDU PBS in Tampa Bay, Florida.
- Walter R. Oberndorf: a philanthropist and venture capitalist who has been an active civic leader in the San Francisco Bay Area.
- Wolfgang Oberndorf: a German psychologist and philosopher who wrote extensively on the philosophical implications of modern technology and its effect on society.
- Olga Oberndorf: a German biologist who researched marine mammals at the University of Kiel.
- Dave Oberndorf: an American actor known for his roles in films such as The Taking of Pelham One Two Three and The Warriors.
- Michael Oberndorf: an American economist who worked for the Congressional Budget Office and later held positions in the US Treasury and Office of Management and Budget.
- Robert H. Oberndorf: an American financier and philanthropist who founded the Oberndorf Foundation in 1965.
- Richard Oberndorf: a German-born author and the editor of the German-Jewish newspaper Aufbau.
- Werner Oberndorf: a German Army officer who fought in the First World War and later became a General.
- Carl Oberndorf: a German Jewish lawyer who wrote extensively about legal history in the early twentieth century.