Surname Oberschmid - Meaning and Origin
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Oberschmid: What does the surname Oberschmid mean?
The last name Oberschmid is a German surname originating from the Middle Ages. The literal translation is “high middle” or “upper middle”. This is due to its roots in the feudal structure of society at the time. Oberschmid was an aristocratic title denoting a person of higher economic and social standing than the average citizen.
In its original form, it included the Old German components "Ober" (high) and "Schmid" (craftsman or smith). The name was given to the head of certain craft guilds or feudal lords. It was later adopted by people who had no actual differentiating power, apart from the distinctive name. The frequency of the name increased during the 17th century, when it started to be used across Europe.
As with most surnames, the spelling of the name would change over time based on the local dialects. Common varieties include Oberschmidt and Obergeschmidt. Variants also appear in other countries, such as the United States, where Oberschmidt is more commonly seen.
The last name Oberschmid may still appear in its descendants today. Though the original designation of a higher class of society has somewhat faded away with time, the distinguished name lives on in the form of the many who inherited it from their elders.
Order DNA origin analysisOberschmid: Where does the name Oberschmid come from?
The last name Oberschmid (or Obertschmid) is an uncommon last name today, although it was likely more prominent in the past. It is common in areas of Switzerland such as Zurich, in parts of Austria, and in certain regions of Bavaria, Germany.
In Switzerland, the name is likely of German-Swiss origin, where “Oberschmid” means roughly “highest blacksmith”. In the Bavarian parts of Germany, it appears to be an occupational surname either from Simmons, which was derived from the Medieval Germanic given name “Simunc”, or from the word for blacksmith (Schmied). Additionally, “Ober” is an old-fashioned Bavarian term that was used to denote something ‘upper’ or ‘superior’ – namely a master.
The Oberschmid (or Obertschmid) surname is not particularly prominent today, as it appears as the 837th most common surname in the telephone directories of Switzerland. In Germany, on the other hand, the name is a bit more common and appears as the 590th most popular surname.
Overall, the Oberschmid (or Obertschmid) surname is not overly common, but it does still exist in certain areas of Switzerland, Austria, and Germany. It is likely derived from an occupational title related to blacksmithing or craftsmanship and also linked to the Germanic name “Simunc”.
Variations of the surname Oberschmid
Oberschmid is a German surname with many variants, spellings, and associated surnames. It is derived from the German words "Ober" and "Schmidt", which mean “high” or “upper” and “smith” or “metalworker”, respectively. The variants of this surname are Obertschmid, Oertschmid, Oberschid, Oberchmid, Obritzschmidt, Uberschmid, and Obermuthschmid. It can also be spelled as Ober Schmid, OberSchmidt and Oberschmidt.
Associated surnames include Schmid, Schmidt, Obruschkeit, Schmidner, Uberschmid, Obrutzschid, and Obermose. It is also associated with the German “Rauch” surname.
Surname variants of Oberschmid include Oberstchmid, Obereitschmid, Obereischmid, Obermarchschmid, Obermontschmidt, Obermuthschmid, and Uberschmitt.
In some cases, the surname has been Anglicized to Oschmid, Ochmid, Aschmid, and Atchmid. Other English variants include Obie and Oby.
Most of the variants are found in Germany, while some can also be found in Austria, Czech Republic, France, and other countries in Europe. Aside from Europe, some of the variants are also found in the United States and Canada.
Overall, Oberschmid is a German surname with many associated surnames and variants. It has its roots in the German words “Ober” and “Schmidt”, meaning “high” or “upper” and “smith” or “metalworker”, respectively. Variants, spellings, and related surnames include Obertschmid, Oertschmid, Oberschid, Oberchmid, Obritzschmidt, Uberschmid, Obermuthschmid, Schmid, Schmidt, Obruschkeit, Schmidner, Uberschmid, Obrutzschid, Obermose, Oschmid, Ochmid, Aschmid, Atchmid, Obie, and Oby.
Famous people with the name Oberschmid
- Johann Oberschmid (1836–1909), German painter
- Gustav Oberschmid (1859–1945), Austrian-Standarte Oberst of German Wehrmacht
- Franny Oberschmid (born 1951), member of Swiss music group "Musigburg Arosa", clarinet player
- Sven Oberschmid (born 1975), German football coach
- Hermann Oberschmid (1875–1949), German-Austrian politician
- Keith Oberschmid (born 1983), German ice hockey player
- Richard Oberschmid (1876–1940), German mathematician
- Erika Oberschmid (1921–2014), Austrian botanist
- Siegfried Oberschmid (1917–2003), German amateur astronomer
- Winfried Oberschmid (born 1948), German social scientist