Surname Oberwörder - Meaning and Origin
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Oberwörder: What does the surname Oberwörder mean?
The last name Oberwörder is a German surname, derived from the Old German words "oben" and "warter", which roughly translates to “on top” and “guardian”. As such, this surname likely originated among families of land-owning nobility who were responsible for protecting local areas. The name is a reference to a place of vantage where they could monitor and protect the lands under their control.
Over the centuries, this surname has been found throughout Germany, especially in the areas of Bavaria, Baden Baden, and the Rhine. Oberwörder could even be used as an appellation or honorific appellation of someone in a powerful or leading position in a family or community.
Today, the family name is known across the world, as people who have emigrated to different countries have continued to carry the surname. Oberwörder families have played and continue to play an important role in the German and international cultures. With a strong sense of family identity, they serve as a reminder of the importance of tradition and legacy. This name offers its bearer a profound sense of respect and identity, carrying a strong sense of pride and heritage.
Order DNA origin analysisOberwörder: Where does the name Oberwörder come from?
The surname Oberwörder is most commonly found in Germany today. This family name has spread to various countries around the world including the United States and Australia.
It is thought that the name was first found in southern Germany and originated from the Middle Ages. For example, one record names a particular member of the Oberwörder family from the 12th Century from Maulbronn monastery, a Benedictine monastery in the state of Baden-Württemberg, Germany.
The name Oberwörder is derived from German and old German origins, meaning of the over marshland, and from old German roots meaning an upper waterway or marsh.
The surname was most likely held by people who lived near a body of water in regions of Bavaria, Baden-Württemberg, Hesse, Thuringia, Saxony-Anhalt, and Mecklenburg Vorpommern, in Germany.
Today the surname still resides in Germany, but also in many other countries around the world. There are records of Oberwörder lineages in America, Wales, England, Canada, Australia and South-West Africa, which date back to before the 19th century.
So, while the surname Oberwörder is more common in Germany today, it is certainly not just a one-country surname. It has made its way around the world through records of its bearers and is still alive and well today.
Variations of the surname Oberwörder
The variants, spellings and surnames of the same origin for the surname Oberwörder include Oberwöder, Oberwörden, Oberwerder, Oberwerden, Oberweyden, and Oberweirden. All these surnames are from the Old German word oberwörden, meaning "above (on top) of the mountain."
The Oberwörder surname is mainly found in Germany and Austria. It is primarily a former German aristocratic name, and was famously borne by Johann Wilhelm Oberwörder in the 16th and 17th centuries. Lovingly called the "Apostle of Lower Bavaria," Johann was a well-known doctor whose travels and medical care greatly improved the quality of life in this rural area.
In some cases, Oberwörder may also be found in France, where it has occasionally been assimilated as the French surnames Audouard and Obreard. In regions where the French influence is prominent, such as the former Prussian Rhineland, some Oberwörder families may have adopted the name Wörder.
In Netherlands, a variant of the Oberwerder surname is found as Everard. This could have come about as a result of Early Modern language changes involving the consonants “v” and “b”, or because of the adoption of the French name Audouard.
The Oberwörder surname is thus widely present in many places across Europe. It is interesting to note how families have generally retained the root of the name while also adapting to their local language and culture, creating a range of surnames which are all related to one another.
Famous people with the name Oberwörder
- Jürgen Oberwörder: German actor, writer, director, and comedian who is known for his work in films such as “Der Schuh des Manitu” and “Fack ju Göhte”.
- Ludwig Oberwörder: German Painter who was a leading figure in the Expressionist movement.
- Nicholaus Oberwörder: German sculptor and painter.
- Heinrich Oberwörder: German engineer, physicist and technical director.
- Klaus Oberwörder: German sociologist and professor at the University of Mannheim.
- Wolfram Oberwörder: German professor of business studies at Technical University Braunschweig.
- Otto Oberwörder: German businessman and entrepreneur best known as the founder of the Oberwörder Group.
- Hermann Oberwörder: German politician and member of the Social Democratic Party of Germany.
- Udo Oberwörder: German television presenter, best known for hosting the popular music show “ZDF Hitparade”.
- Kurt Oberwörder: German Olympian weightlifting bronze medalist from Munich in the 1952 Summer Olympics.
- Tobias Oberwörder: German footballer who plays for 1. FC Union Berlin in the Bundesliga.
- Julian Oberwörder: German-Austrian musician and composer, best known for his work in the electronic music genre.
- Thomas Oberwörder: German lawyer and entrepreneur, one of the founding members of the research agency Sapience.