Surname Oehm - Meaning and Origin
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Oehm: What does the surname Oehm mean?
The last name Oehm is an occupational surname originating from Germany. The name is derived from the German word "öhm," which translates as "warden," indicating an individual responsible for watching over or guarding something. This could refer to someone who worked as a watchman or gamekeeper, or a forester who managed the deer population.
The Oehm family would have likely first used their occupational surname in the Middle Ages, when feudal and manorial systems were in place. This was a time when a family's surname would clearly display the type of work they did, and the Oehm name was no different. The first recorded use of the name was in the late 14th century, when Johannes Oehm was mentioned in the city records of Coburg, Bavaria.
Today, the name Oehm is most common in southeastern and central Germany. Germans with this name likely descend from the same origins, although it is possible that some families adopted the name later. During the 19th century, in particular, many people changed their surnames to create a more professional-sounding title.
The Oehm name is still found throughout Germany today. It is a reminder of the medieval-style surnames and evidence of the importance of certain occupations in past centuries.
Order DNA origin analysisOehm: Where does the name Oehm come from?
The last name Oehm is a very old surname that has been present throughout Europe for centuries. It is believed to have originated in Germany, and is still very common there today. The Oehm name has spread over the years and is now also present in neighboring countries such as Austria, Switzerland and The Netherlands.
In Germany, the population of Oehms is relatively small as the last name is relatively rare. However, in regions such as Bavaria, fear the frequency of the name is still high and is one of the more popular surnames in the area. Similarly, the name is also fairly common in Switzerland, particularly in the cantons of Bern and Freiburg. In The Netherlands, the name is most often found in the province of Zeeland.
Outside of Europe, the last name Oehm is also present in some parts of North and South America and Australia, where many people of German descent settled during the 18th and 19th centuries. In particular, the name is commonly seen in the United States and Canada, as well as in Brazil, Chile, Mexico and Argentina.
Overall, the last name Oehm is quite widespread today, and although it is not especially common anywhere, it can still be found across much of Europe, the Americas and parts of Australia.
Variations of the surname Oehm
The surname Oehm originates from the pre-7th century Germanic name Oheim. It is derived from the word for relative, oheim meaning uncle, and can be described as a patronymic or surname, which is a name derived from a word or phrase associated with an ancestor.
The most common variant spellings of Oehm are Oheim, Oheem, Oehme, Ohm, and Oahm. Other variations include Ohme, Öhme, Ohmme, Oem, Ohlm, Ohmke, Ohmeke, Aheem, ohmh, Oheam, Oham, Oheam, Ohem, Oheimke, Öhme, Öhle, Öhlm, and Öhm.
Surnames derived from the same origin include Ohe, Ohlt, Ohle, Oehl, Öhls, Oehler, Oeckler, and Ohlmacher.
The surname Oehm has many variant spellings and surnames derived from the same origin. Some of these surnames may have become corrupted over time and have resulted in different spelling variations. As such, it is important to be aware of the different spelling variations and related surnames to ensure that any family research is accurate.
Famous people with the name Oehm
- Udo Oehm: songwriter, musician, and producer.
- Holger Oehm: German cyclist who competed in the 1952 Summer Olympics.
- Kenneth Oehm: retired American basketball player.
- David Oehm: retired Canadian baseball pitcher.
- John Oehm: American former Major League Baseball pitcher.
- Richard Oehm: retired German footballer who spent his entire professional career with Schwaben Augsburg.
- Jonathan Oehm: professional skier and Olympic athlete.
- Wilfred Oehm: American former ice hockey player.
- Elisabeth Oehm: German rower who has won multiple medals at the World Rowing Championships.
- Andreas Oehm: former German basketball player.