Surname Oberscheit - Meaning and Origin
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Oberscheit: What does the surname Oberscheit mean?
The last name Oberscheit is derived from the Old German language. Its literal translation means “above the Scheit”, referring to an area or piece of land. It is thought to have been used to describe someone who owned or lived near a section of land or meadow, or a property that was larger than an average piece of land in the same area.
The exact origin of the name is uncertain. However, some believe that it is derived from the word 'Schied', which originated during the Middle Ages and was used to refer to two families that divided the ownership of land. Oberscheit could have been used to indicate a piece of land that was bigger than the two families together owned.
The name most likely originated in the Middle Ages and became popular in the 17th century in Central Europe, especially in Prussia. Today, the name is often found in many European countries, including Germany, Austria, Slovenia, and the Czech Republic.
The spelling of the name has also changed over time and can be found in different variations, such as Oeborschiedt, Oberseheid, Obritzsched, and Oberscheidt. However, the pronunciation of Oberscheit remains similar in all forms.
Overall, the last name Oberscheit has a very strong historical background and is steeped in centuries of tradition. Its meaning can be traced back to the Middle Ages and still holds significance today.
Order DNA origin analysisOberscheit: Where does the name Oberscheit come from?
The last name Oberscheit is found primarily in the United States and Germany. In the U.S., the surname is most commonly found in the Midwest, with a concentration in the states of Minnesota, Wisconsin, and Iowa. The name is also found in some eastern states such as Ohio, Pennsylvania, and New York. In Germany, the surname is most prolific in the southwest states of Rhineland-Palatinate, Hesse, and Baden-Württemberg.
The earliest records of the Oberscheit surname can be traced back to Germany in the 1500s. During this period, the family was largely concentrated in the area of Preußen, Brandenburg, and Germany which is now known as Poland. Records from this time period indicate that the family were nobility and landowners, though the most notable branch of the family originated from the village of Wiedenbrück. As the family grew, some branches spread to other parts of Germany and eventually became settlers in the United States.
The surname is still common today in the same regions as it was historically. It is most common in the Midwest United States, especially Minnesota, Wisconsin, and Iowa. It is also found in the eastern states such as Pennsylvania, Ohio, and New York. In Germany, the surname is still most common in the states of Rhineland-Palatinate, Hesse, and Baden-Württemberg.
Variations of the surname Oberscheit
The surname Oberscheit is a German/Yiddish name that originated in the region around the city of Mechelen in the modern day Belgian province of Flanders. It is derived from the High German words ‘ober’ meaning ‘upper’ and ‘scheit’ meaning ‘shield’ or ‘coat of arms’, so the name could be translated to ‘upper shield’ or ‘upper coat of arms’.
The most common variant of the surname is the German spelling Obberscheit which has been documented in several European countries. In addition to this, there are other spellings such as Oberschait, Obershein, Obershien, Overscheit, Oberster, and Oberschein.
The surname Oberscheit is most frequently encountered as a Jewish name, probably because of its Germanic origins. In this context, the many different variants of the name are all ultimately derived from the same root. The surnames Oberstein, Oppenheim, Orbach, Oberman, Obermark and Oberkirch are all variants of Oberscheit.
Although the surname has its origins in Germany, it can be found in many different national contexts. In Poland, the surname is commonly found as Oborszczyk, while in the Czech Republic and Slovakia it is found as Oberschtejnl, Oberschtejs or Obecny. In France, the name is found as Oberson, and in Italy it is found as Oberscaglione or Obersteiner.
In the United States and Canada, both variants of Oberscheit and Obberscheit have been documented in multiple states and provinces.
Thus, the surname Oberscheit has many different spellings and variants, both in terms of national contexts and religious background. It can be found all over the world, in many different forms and contexts.
Famous people with the name Oberscheit
- Hans Oberscheit: An Austrian ski jumper who competed from 1940 until 1957 in various events and tournaments.
- Jędrzej Oberscheit: A Polish ski jumper who has competed at the FIS Nordic World Ski Championships 2017, FIS Alpine World Ski Championships 2013 and has won multiple national championships.
- Florian Oberscheit: An Austrian athlete who has competed in combined events at the IAAF World Indoor Championship in 2013.
- Albert Oberscheit: A former East German handball player who represented the East German national handball team.
- Rudi Oberscheit: An Austrian ice hockey defenseman who represented the Austrian national ice hockey team in five World Championships.
- Teresa Oberscheit: An American short story writer and playwright who has written for numerous magazines, newspapers, and theater companies across the United States.
- Tony Oberscheit: An American jazz musician, composer, and arranger who plays a variety of instruments and has performed with a number of renowned artists.
- Kevin Oberscheit: An American politician and former member of the Wisconsin State Assembly who was elected as a Democratic member in 2006.