Surname Obstfeld - Meaning and Origin

Obstfeld: What does the surname Obstfeld mean?

The last name Obstfeld is indicative of a German ancestry, first appearing in records during the early 19th century. It is derived from German words meaning “orchard field”; a field covered with fruit trees. During the late 1800s and early 1900s, many individuals with the surname Obstfeld emigrated from Germany to the United States, seeking new opportunities and a better future.

In the United States, the Obstfeld family has a strong presence in the Midwest, particularly in Illinois and Wisconsin. To this day, many Obstfelds still retain their German heritage, maintaining traditions such as celebrating important holidays and speaking the native language.

The name Obstfeld is a reminder of the hard-working individuals who formed the foundation of the Obstfeld family. The Obstfelds of the past had a strong work ethic, having set out to build a new life for themselves and their families. Through their dedication and bravery, the Obstfelds have been able to carve their very own place in the history of America. This legacy is one that the present-day Obstfelds will forever be proud to be associated with.

Obstfeld: Where does the name Obstfeld come from?

The surname Obstfeld is of German or Ashkenazi Jewish origin. It is thought to have derived from the Yiddish word “obst”, which means “fruit”, and “feld”, which means “field”. Today, the surname is particularly common in Germany, Austria, and Israel. It is also found in varying numbers in Italy, France, the UK, the USA, Canada, Russian, Ukraine, Argentina, Chile, Mexico, and Brazil.

The surname Obstfeld is often associated with the Jewish culture. For example, in 1938, German-born economist and Nobel Laureate, Professor Maurice Obstfeld, along with his parents, fled Germany to escape Nazi persecution. Since then, it has become a well-known Jewish surname globally.

In Germany, the number of people with this surname continues to grow. In fact, according to the 2006 German telephone directory, more than 1500 people in Germany are registered under “Obstfeld”. This number is likely to have increased since then. The surname is one of the most popular surnames in Germany, and is particularly common in the states of Bavaria and Lower Saxony.

In Israel, the surname is also popular, having been adopted by Jews from Eastern Europe or Germany. Roughly 2,000 people in Israel are registered with the surname, suggesting that it is moderately widespread in the country.

Although the surname originated in Germany, today it can be found across the world. This clearly demonstrates how far the name has travelled and how successful its holders have been in emigrating and making a living elsewhere.

Variations of the surname Obstfeld

The surname Obstfeld is a German name and is derived from the German word for ‘orchard’. It is a topographic surname for someone who lived or worked near an orchard. This surname has many different variants and spellings that are found throughout Europe. These variants and spellings are often derived from the language of the regions they are associated with.

In Germany the variants and spellings include Obstfelder, Obstfeller, Obsthäller, Obstheller, Obsthaler, Obsthoffer and Obsthoffer. In Austria the variants and spellings are Obstfelfer, Obstfeller, Obsthöfer and Obsthoffer. In Poland the variants and spellings are Obsthöfer, Obstfal and Obstfalen. In the Czech Republic the variants and spellings are Obstejnsky, Obstatni, Obosel and Obstatný.

There are also several surnames of the same origin. In Germany the surnames are Ober, Öber, Öbert, Oberst and Oberstädt. In Switzerland the surnames are Oberle, Oberlin, Oberli, Öbeli and Öbelin. In the Netherlands the surnames are Obertje, Oberts, Overman, Overeinder and Oostveen.

In the USA the surnames have been Anglicized and vary from region to region. The most common surnames are Ober, Oberst, Oberly, Oberle, Obersten and Oberley. The surname Obstfeld is also found in Australia, Canada and South Africa but is no longer in common use.

Famous people with the name Obstfeld

• Maurice Obstfeld: Maurice Michael Obstfeld is an American economist, currently the Class of 1958 Professor of Economics at the University of California, Berkeley and a Research Associate at the National Bureau of Economic Research.
• Josh Obstfeld: Josh Obstfeld is an American film, theater and television producer. He is known for his collaborations with director Jason Reitman, having produced many of Reitman's films such as Up in the Air, Juno, Young Adult, Tully, and Labor Day.
• John Obstfeld: John Obstfeld is a professor of economics at the University of California, Berkeley and a co-director of the National Bureau of Economic Research's International Finance and Macroeconomics Program. He is well known for his work on international economics, the study of how countries interact in the process of global interdependence.
• Lydia Obstfeld: Lydia Obstfeld is a German politician of the Social Democratic Party. She serves as a member of the Bundestag since 1998 and Chairwoman of the Committee on Education, Research and Technology Assessment in the 18th legislative period.
• Fouad Obstfeld: Fouad Obstfeld is an American poet, essayist, translator, and educator. He is the author of the bilingual poetry collection World of Riches, as well as a book of essays entitled The Authenticity of Fire. He has taught literature and creative writing at Brown University, Johns Hopkins University, Smith College, and other institutions.

Other surnames

Obstfelder