Surname Oberschmidt - Meaning and Origin
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Oberschmidt: What does the surname Oberschmidt mean?
The last name Oberschmidt is of German origin and is derived from the German word "Ober," meaning upper or superior. It is likely that this surname was given to people of higher social standing, those that held a high rank in a village or community during medieval times. This could include members of the clergy, local government officials, or wealthy members of the community.
The root of the name suggests that those who bore this name were people of distinction and, for that reason, the name can be interpreted as meaning a person of superiority and leadership. It can also imply strength, determination, and a certain level of respect, which was probably linked to the position of power that those who were given the name held in their communities.
The name was meant to convey a sense of humility and pride, with the emphasis being on respect for authority and for the social order. This could have sparked a sense of loyalty and belonging within a community or family unit, that those bearing this name felt connected to.
Today, the name Oberschmidt is still common in Germany, but is also quite widespread across Europe and North America. It can be seen as a reflection of the many German immigrants who brought their culture and traditions to these countries as they made their homes abroad.
Order DNA origin analysisOberschmidt: Where does the name Oberschmidt come from?
The last name Oberschmidt is most common in Germany today. It is an occupational name derived from the Old German "ober", meaning "higher" or "top" and "schmied", meaning "smith". It was typically given to the head blacksmith, someone who was the foreman or the highest-ranking smith.
The highest concentration of Oberschmidts in Germany today can be found in the states of Baden-Wurttemberg and Bavaria. In the town of Kupferzell in Baden-Wurttemberg, approximately 11% of people have the last name. Bavaria has a slightly lower concentration, with around 7% of the population having the surname.
In the United States, there is a significant presence of Oberschmidts, particularly in the states of Illinois, Missouri, and Florida. The most populous city in the U.S. with Oberschmidts is Buffalo, New York, where the name originates from German immigrants who settled there in the 19th century.
Oberschmidt is also an uncommon but occasionally seen surname in other parts of Europe, including Austria, Switzerland, and the Czech Republic. It is also present in small numbers in the United Kingdom and throughout South and Central America, where German immigrants settled in the early 20th century.
Overall, Oberschmidts can be found all over the world, but the highest concentrations are in Germany, followed closely by the United States.
Variations of the surname Oberschmidt
The surname Oberschmidt is an ancient German surname and is derived from the personal name Ober, meaning "senior" or "elder." Over the centuries, the spelling of this name has been altered many times. Some variants of Oberschmidt include Obertschmidt, Obermeyer, Obermüller, Obermüller, Obermeyer, Obermüllerin, and Obermiller. Additionally, variants and alternate spellings of Oberschmidt can include Obermeyer, Oberschmid, Oberschmitt, Oberschmied, Oberschmeid, Oberschmid, Oberschmidin, Obermeyerin, Obermeierschein, Obermeister, and Oberemschein.
The surname Oberschmidt is also common in other countries and regions, often Anglicized or changed to reflect the local language or spoken dialect. As such, variations found in other countries or regions may include Oberzmijewski (Polish), Obermistrz (Czech), Obermski (Sicilian), Obiama (Japanese), Subersmidt (Dutch), Oberschmidtsch (Swiss-German), and, more rarely, Oberscheldt or Ubertscheldt (German).
Other surnames with the same or similar origins as Oberschmidt might include Meyerschein, Meierschein, Meiers, Fischers, Smiths, Miller, Meyerhoff, Müllerhoff, Millerhoff, Hoffers, Kaisers, and Silberschmidts.
Typically, a surname's origin is based off the location of the earliest ancestor of the name. As such, depending on the ancient location of the very first person to use the Oberschmidt name, the variants and spellings, as well as other surnames of the same root, can differ and may not be found on a global level.
Famous people with the name Oberschmidt
- Christine Oberschmidt, German actress
- Simona Oberschmidt, Italian actress and singer
- Alexander Oberschmidt, Dutch actor
- Matthias Oberschmidt, German photographer
- Chris Oberschmidt, American software developer and entrepreneur
- Dominik Oberschmidt, German actor
- Thomas Oberschmidt, German athlete
- Astrid Oberschmidt, German athlete
- Jean-Nicolas Oberschmidt, French photographer
- Eric Oberschmidt, Canadian hockey player