Surname Oberst - Meaning and Origin

Oberst: What does the surname Oberst mean?

The last name Oberst is a German surname. It is derived from the German word for "colonel". The surname has its roots in the military, as the rank of Oberst was a high-ranking officer in the German Army. Oberst is an occupational surname, indicating that the original bearer of the name was a Colonel in the German Army.

The surname Oberst is found in many countries across Europe, including Germany, Austria, Switzerland and the Czech Republic. It can sometimes be found spelled as Oberstein, Oberstadt or Oblitz, all of which have the same meaning.

Oberst is a very common name and can also be found in America, where it is often used by people of German descent. In America, the name Oberst still carries its original meaning of "colonel" and is often used as a given name, as well as a surname.

The Oberst family has a long and distinguished history in many martial endeavors. Today, the surname Oberst is seen as a proud name, and a sign of a person's ancestry and connection to their German heritage.

Oberst: Where does the name Oberst come from?

The last name Oberst is most commonly found today in Germany, Austria, and Switzerland. In Germany, the Oberst name is quite common and ranks in the top ten of surnames. Obersts can also be found in parts of mainland Europe and the United States. In the United States, Obersts are most commonly found in Pennsylvania and New York states.

The name Oberst is believed to have originated in 12th century Germany, with the root of the surname being the Old German word "ober" which translates to meaning "higher". As such, Obersts were likely granted this name as a title of nobility or distinction.

Further evidence of the Oberst surname being associated with nobility comes from a Latin proverb which implies that rulers and rulers alone should be called Obersts, indicating that Oberst was not a regularly used name.

The Oberst surname is a unique name, unlikely to be confused with any other, making it fairly easy to trace the lineage of those with this surname. The surname Oberst is likely to remain popular in Germany, Austria, and Switzerland for years to come.

Variations of the surname Oberst

Oberst is a German surname derived from “ober”, meaning “upper” or “high”. It is an occupational surname meaning “chief” or “commander”, and is most commonly found in Germany, Austria, Switzerland, and other parts of Central Europe.

The most common variants for Oberst are Obersts, Obers, Obrist, Obrister, and Oberster. These variants are the result of slight spellings differences due to regional dialects of the German language.

Surnames of closely related origin, or surnames with Oberst as an Anglicized source, include Abrash, Oberhausen, Oberkirsch, Oberlander, Obermeyer, Oberstolz, Oberwetter, Oberweiser, Obristein, Obristerin, Obersteiner, Oberfaller, Oberland, Obermiller, Oberweis, Oberhammer, Oberhofer, Oberjohn, Obermeister, and Oberling.

In addition, since many people emigrated from Europe to the United States during the 19th and early 20th centuries, surnames like Overstreet, Oberstein, Overstreet, Obermiller, Oberstadt, Overholser, and Overshay can be traced back to a German-speaking origin.

Overall, Oberst is an extremely common German surname, and is used throughout parts of Central Europe. It has been Anglicized, evolved, and mutated over time, resulting in a diverse number of different variations and surnames of similar origin. Some of these variation and surnames can even be found in the United States, which serves to illustrate the long history of German emigration to the New World.

Famous people with the name Oberst

• Conor Oberst, a singer-songwriter and musician from the United States
• Bright Eyes, a music project created by Conor Oberst
• Justin Oberst, an American actor
• Ryan Oberst, an American actor
• Ashton Oberst, an American actor
• John Oberst, an American actor
• Christian Oberst, an American artist
• Alison Oberst, a former member of the indie-rock band The Mynabirds
• Elizabeth Oberst, a retired American figure skater
• Roy Oberst, an American Major League Baseball outfield and first baseman

Other surnames

OberscheidOberscheidtOberscheitOberschmidOberschmidtOberschmiedOberste

Comments or additions to the name "Oberst"

27.07.2024
Michael Oberst - Mike Oberst is a well know musician in the Kentucky, Ohio and Indiana region. His band, The Tillers, have traveled and performed nationally and internationally.