Surname Oberwinter - Meaning and Origin
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Oberwinter: What does the surname Oberwinter mean?
Oberwinter is a surname of German origin, derived from the combination of two words: ober and winter. The surname is believed to have originated in the Rhineland of northwest Germany and could have derived from either a geographical location or a residence or occupation.
The word ober is derived from the Old German word “uobor” which meant “above” or to be “higher than.” It could refer to either a location on a hill or a noble rank. The word winter is derived from the Old German word “wintar” meaning “winter.” It could refer to a winter-like residence, or the occupation of someone associated with winter, such as a herder who helped to move sheep in the difficult climate of the winter.
The surname Oberwinter is most commonly found in regions of Germany and Austria and is rare in other parts of the world. It serves as one reminder of the strong ties between Central Europe and the Northeastern United States, as many German immigrants brought the name with them as they settled in the early days of the United States. People with the last name Oberwinter and its variations likely trace their family roots to the Rhineland, and may have some connection to the winter season.
Order DNA origin analysisOberwinter: Where does the name Oberwinter come from?
The last name Oberwinter is commonly found in Europe today, specifically in Germany, Switzerland, Austria, France, and the Netherlands. Germany has the highest concentration of the name, with more than 11,500 people who share it. The name is uncommon in any other countries around the world.
The meaning of the name is thought to originate from the German language. The literal translation is a winter of nobility or nobility of winter, and the name likely refers to a noble family that had held the winter season as a festive celebration similar to Christmas or New Year.
The Oberwinter family is mostly found in the western German states, including North Rhine-Westphalia, Bavaria, Baden-Wurttemberg, and Hesse. It is also found in the eastern states of Saxony, Thuringia, and Brandenburg.
The Oberwinter name is associated with several small towns and cities in Germany, such as Oberwinterbach, Oberwinterthur, Oberwintergarten, and Oberschmon. It is also commonly found among families in Austria, Switzerland, and the Netherlands; however, in each of these countries it is a relatively uncommon name.
Finally, the name can also be found among German-American families in areas of the US such as Pennsylvania, New York, Ohio, Michigan, and Illinois. It is usually spelled "Oberwinter; however, it can also appear as "Oberwinterer" or "Oberwinterth".
Variations of the surname Oberwinter
Oberwinter is a surname of German origin. It has numerous other variants, spellings, and surnames of the same origin. Some variations of Oberwinter include Oberwinterer, Oberwintor, Obring, Obringer, Obringht, Overwinder, Uebberwinter, Ueberwinder, Uebberwinder, and Ueberwinter. Many of these surnames are derived from places located in Germany and Austria.
Oberwinterer is derived from Oberwinterets, which is a small town located in the northernmost district of Rhineland-Palatinate in Germany. Oberwintor is derived from Oberwinterthur, which is a suburb of Zurich located in the Canton of Zurich in Switzerland. Obring and Obringer are derived from Oberberg, a region located south of Dusseldorf in the German state of North Rhine–Westphalia. Obringht is derived from Obering, which is a small village located in Bavaria, Germany.
Overwinder is a variant of Oberwinterer and is a Dutch variation of the surname. Uebberwinter and Ueberwinder are German variations derived from the Oberwinter; Uebberwinder is variation of the German Oberwinder. Ueberwinter is derived from the German word Winter, which means "Winter", and is thought to be derived from a place associated with the Winter season.
Overall, Oberwinter and its variants and spellings are derived from places located in Germany, Austria, and Switzerland. It has mainly been used as a surname in these countries for centuries and has been used to identify individuals who originate or are associated with these areas.
Famous people with the name Oberwinter
- Bill Oberwinter: a renowned ice hockey player who had a successful professional career in the 1970s and 1980s.
- Elke Oberwinter: the first female professor of economics in Germany.
- Hans Oberwinter: the first German to travel to Antarctica in 1928.
- Robert Oberwinter: Medieval German philosopher and theologian.
- Ute Oberwinter: renown German stage and film actress.
- Carola Oberwinter: German classical violinist and educator.
- Sonja Oberwinter: an internationally acclaimed dance artist.
- Friedrich Oberwinter: Nazi-era military commander during WWII, who was ultimately tried and convicted for war crimes.
- Louis Oberwinter: celebrated American politician and businessman from Wisconsin.
- Anthony Oberwinter: American sculptor and painter.