Surname Oberndörffer - Meaning and Origin
all surnames with 'O'
Oberndörffer: What does the surname Oberndörffer mean?
The last name Oberndörffer is a German surname, meaning “upper door maker.” This occupational nickname was bestowed upon an ancestor who was likely a carpenter or blacksmith who fabricated and installed door frames. The name Oberndörffer contains two distinct parts: Obern, meaning “upper,” and Dörffer, meaning “door maker.”
The Oberndörffer surname was likely adopted in the 14th and 15th century as a way to distinguish craftspeople who specialized in particular trades or professions. This naming style was popular amongst artisans, laborers, and guilds. With the emergence of industrialization and changes in social structuring, the use of personal surnames waned in the 19th century and was replaced by inherited family names.
The Oberndörffer family name has endured generational changes, landscaping multiple countries including Germany, Austria, and the United States. The spread of the name is a token of human migration throughout decades. Om these migrations, the Oberndörffer family name has evolved and diversified.
The Oberndörffer family name is a significant symbol of family heritage, history and traditions, all of which originate from an ancestor of the 14th century. It marks generations of progression and determination, and speaks to values of craftsmanship and perseverance.
Order DNA origin analysisOberndörffer: Where does the name Oberndörffer come from?
The last name Oberndörffer is typically found throughout Germany, and more specifically, in the southwest region of the country. It is particularly common in the state of Baden-Württemberg, where it ranks nationally at number 3,495 out of a total of 8,294 family surnames in the region.
Oberndörffer is also seen in small numbers in the United States, thanks to German immigration during the 19th century. It is most common in the northeast, particularly in Pennsylvania and New York, where 1,100 and 800 residents, respectively, shared the surname as of the 2000 census.
The origin of Oberndörffer is most likely derived from the old German word "endorf", which means "village" or "homestead". This suggests that the people it originally referred to were likely villagers or small land-owners. The medical doctor and famous 19th century German chemist Theodor Oberndörffer was the most famous bearer of this name.
Today, the name Oberndörffer is still found throughout Germany, and some areas of the United States. It is most common in the southwest region of Germany, particularly in the state of Baden-Württemberg. The United States is home to a small population of individuals bearing the last name, primarily concentrated in the northeast.
Variations of the surname Oberndörffer
The surname Oberndörffer is a patronymic name derived from a German place called Oberdorfer. The surname is believed to have originated in Bavaria and is now widespread across Germany and other parts of Europe.
The surame Oberndörffer has various variants, spellings and surnames of the same origin. Oberndorfer is the most common variant, which literally translates to "upper village". Other variants include Obrndorfer, Obernderfer, Obertdorfer, Obrntdorfer, Obrnderfer, Oberndorffer, Oberdorfer, Oberdörfer, Oberndörffer, Obrendorfer, Obrondorfer, Oberdörffer, and Oberdorfer.
All of these variants and spellings are believed to have some relation to either Bavaria or the town of Oberdorfer. The surname Oberndörffer can also be commonly found as Obendorfer. Other rare variants or spellings of the surname include Obredorfer, Obrendorf, and Oberdorfer.
The variations of the surname can also be combined with other surnames to create hybrid surnames. Examples of these consist of Oberndorfer-Hinke, Obendorfer-Kraus, Oberndorff-Thiede, and Oberndorfer-Werner.
Thus, there are numerous variants, spellings and surnames of the same origin for the surname Oberndörffer. The variations can range from minor spelling changes to hybrid surnames, all of which have some relation to the original Bavarian village of Oberdorfer.
Famous people with the name Oberndörffer
- Hans Oberndörffer: German geophysicist and geologist
- Jaromír Oberndörffer: Czechoslovakian chess master
- Alex Oberndorffer: American experimental metal musician and producer
- Fritz Oberndorffer: German philosopher
- Adam Oberndorffer: Swiss cross country skier
- Ilse Oberndorffer: German soprano
- Johann Oberndorffer: German nuclear physicist
- Karl Oberndorffer: German politician
- Dieter Oberndorffer: German astrophysicist
- Claus Oberndorffer: German wood sculptor