Surname Oesterlin - Meaning and Origin
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Oesterlin: What does the surname Oesterlin mean?
The last name Oesterlin is an influential and respected German name that has a very strong presence in the German language. It is derived from the German word ‘Oster’ which means ‘eastern’ and the German suffix ‘-lin’ which is used as an indicator of place and tribe. Essentially, the name Oesterlin is derived from a region or a group of people from the east.
The name Oesterlin is believed to date as far back as the 12th century and is one of the oldest German surnames out there. Over the years, it has spread and is now a common last name in Germany, although it has also become popular to some extent in other parts of Europe, too.
Throughout history, the Oesterlin family has been renowned for being the embodiment of traditional German values including hard work, resourcefulness, loyalty, and dedication. It stands as a symbol for the gemeinschaft, the highly valued old German form of community.
Today, the Oesterlin name is still viewed with great respect. Although modern values have come to replace old German values, the Oesterlin legacy has stood the test of time and represents a classic example of the unity that comes from embracing old German values.
Order DNA origin analysisOesterlin: Where does the name Oesterlin come from?
The last name Oesterlin is primarily found in Germany today. This surname is derived from the personal name "Oester", itself deriving from the Germanic "Osto", meaning "East". This could refer to someone from an East German state, or who was from an eastern region, such as Bavaria or Austria.
The Oesterlin surname is most common in the state of Bavaria. Records show that many Oesterlins have been living in and around the city of Munich since the early 17th century. The family also spread to the nearby cities of Nuremberg, Würzburg, Augsburg, and Ulm. Records also show the presence of Oesterlin families in the cities of Berlin, Dresden, Hamburg, and Heidelberg.
The Oesterlin surname is also found in the United States. It has been well documented that Johann Oesterlin from Miltenberg, Germany, settled in Pennsylvania in 1838. Since then, many of his descendants have spread all over the US and are now found in almost every state.
Today, as of the most recent US census, there are around 4,500 Americans with the surname Oesterlin, making it a fairly rare name.
Variations of the surname Oesterlin
The surname Oesterlin has several different spellings and surnames with the same origin. The most common ones include Oesterle, Oestrele, Ostrolin, Osterlein, Osterlin, Oesterling, Oesterlingh, Oesterly, Osterloh, Ostermann, Ostermeyer and Ostermann. It is believed to be of German origin, derived from a combination of two elements: ostra, meaning 'eastern' or 'origin in the east', and lind, meaning 'gentleness, tenderness'.
The spelling of the name Oesterlin is found mainly in American records, where it is quite common. It is believed to have began as a variant of the German surname Oesterlein. Records of this name can be found in Germany as far back as the 17th century.
In Switzerland, variations of the name Oesterlin include Oesterle, Oestrele, and Ostrolin. The same variations can also be found in Austria and Bavaria. It is not uncommon to find the surnames Osterlein, Osterlin, Oesterling, Oesterlingh, and Oesterly in Germany.
Similarly, the name Osterloh can be found in both Germany and Austria. In Holland, the name Ostermann is fairly common. The surname Ostermeyer also shows up in both Holland and Germany.
No matter what variation, each of these variations respect the same origin from the prefix 'Oester', signifying an eastern origin, and the suffix 'lin' or 'lein', signifying a meaning of 'gentleness' and 'tenderness'. It's quite possible that someone may have a surname with the similar origin, but a completely different spelling.
Famous people with the name Oesterlin
- John Oesterlin: a former professional American Football player, playing for the New England Patriots.
- Erika Oesterlin: a German athlete who achieved success in the shot put, discus, and hammer throw events.
- William Oesterlin: an American professional golfer who won multiple tournaments in the PGA Tour.
- Juliette Oesterlin: an American speed skater who competed in the 1976 Winter Olympics.
- Robert Oesterlin: a German politician who is a member of the Bundestag representing the Left Party.
- Frank Oesterlin: an American lawyer who served as a judge for the United States District Court for the District of Arizona.
- Henry Oesterlin: a German clergyman and educator.
- Stephanie Oesterlin: a Swiss synchronized swimmer who competed in the 2000 and 2004 Summer Olympics.
- Brian Oesterlin: an American music producer, composer and multi-instrumentalist who has composed and produced music for films and television.
- Carl Oesterlin: a German-born American pinball and video game entrepreneur and designer, who is best known for creating the game Tapper.