Surname Ohnesorg - Meaning and Origin

Ohnesorg: What does the surname Ohnesorg mean?

The last name Ohnesorg is a German surname. It is composed of two words; “Ohne” which means “without” and “sorg” which translates to “care”. Therefore Ohnesorg can be translated as “without care”, possibly suggesting that the original bearer of the name was an independent spirited person who was unconcerned with the opinions of others.

The amount of times the name Ohnesorg is seen has varied over the centuries, with records showing it first appeared in German regions during the late 16th century. More recently, it gained greater notoriety as the last name of a student of the Berlin Free University, Benno Ohnesorg. Tragically, he was killed during a demonstration in 1967 when the police fired shots into the crowd. This event quickly became a symbol of the fight against the oppressive East German government, and his name became a part of contemporary history.

In modern times, the name Ohnesorg continues to be popular in Germany, especially in the former East German regions. As such, it can be seen as a reminder of a tumultuous period in German history, and the fragility of freedom. It can also be seen as a reminder of the importance of caring – for oneself, and for extraordinary circumstances.

Ohnesorg: Where does the name Ohnesorg come from?

The last name Ohnesorg is a German surname with a long history of popularity in the country. According to the Neustadt-based genealogical research company, the Ohnesorgs descend from medieval times, when they were a family of the Oldberg knight in Southern Germany who were initially known as the "Ohensorgen". While this name has been mostly associated with Germany, records do show that it has spread to various countries across the world.

The United States Census Bureau data from 2017 shows over 600 people with the last name Ohnesorg living in the US. This includes people with family roots in Germany, as well as people from other countries who have adopted the last name. Apart from the US, the name can be found in various other countries throughout Europe. It is especially common in Germany, Poland, Austria, Switzerland, and the Czech Republic.

In recent years, the name has also gained prominence in countries outside of Europe. Ohnesorg has even been registered as a last name in places such as Brazil, Canada, India, and even Japan.

Overall, it is clear that the last name Ohnesorg has a presence in many places today. From its humble beginnings in medieval Germany, it has spread across the globe, assessed a new life in different parts of the world. Today, the name is living proof of the amazing opportunities opened up by globalization.

Variations of the surname Ohnesorg

The surname Ohnesorg is of German and Dutch origin, with variants, spellings, and other surnames in many languages.

In German, the name is spelled Ohnesorge or Ohnesorgen and can also be written as Ohnensorge, Ohnensorgen, Ohenesorge, Ohenesorgen, Ohenterg, Ohenzorg, Ohensterg, and Ontersorg. In Dutch, the name is spelled Onnesorg, Onnesort, Onsorg, or Oonzorg.

In English, the surname may be spelled Oanesorg, Oanesort, Ohnesorg, Onasort, Onesort, Onsorg, or Onzorger. In French, one variant is spelled Onzoirge. In Spanish, a variant may be spelled Oonesorge.

Other surnames with the same origin include Ohnekalb, Ohner, Ohnheiser, Ohnhaus, Ohnisch, Ahner, Ahnesorg, and Aknesorg.

The surname has many variations in addition to those listed above, and some variants may be found in other languages or different countries. It is important to note that these numerous variations can make it difficult to trace the origin of a particular variant of the Ohnesorg surname.

Famous people with the name Ohnesorg

• Peter Ohnesorg: Peter Ohnesorg was a West German student who was shot and killed by police during a demonstration in 1967. His death is widely seen as one of the catalysts of the student movement of the late 1960s and '70s, and his death was used to fuel support for the Red Army Faction, a militant German organization.
• Hans Ohnesorg: Hans Ohnesorg was Peter Ohnesorg's father who was an anti-Nazi activist and a professor in German language and literature in Berlin. He became politically active after Peter's death and was a member of the student movement that arose in response to Peter's death.
• Anna Ohnesorg: Anna Ohnesorg was Peter Ohnesorg's mother who was an active member of the student movement and an advocate for social justice and democracy in Germany. She even joined the "Peaceful Revolution" in 1989, which lead to the fall of the Berlin Wall and the reunification of Germany.
• Marion Ohnesorg: Marion Ohnesorg is Peter Ohnesorg's sister who has written and spoken about her brother's death to help raise awareness of the lasting effects of his death and the importance of social justice and democracy in Germany. She has also authored an autobiography entitled, "My Brother Peter: Remembering Peter Ohnesorg" and has been involved in numerous social justice projects.
• Dieter Ohnesorg: Dieter Ohnesorg was Peter Ohnesorg's brother who was a professor of applied mathematics at the University of Stuttgart. He was also a member of the student movement in the late 1960s and wrote a piece called, "Reflections from the Grave of My Brother Peter". This work is seen as a critical source of inspiration for the student movement in Germany at the time.

Other surnames

Ohnesorge