Surname Olbermann - Meaning and Origin
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Olbermann: What does the surname Olbermann mean?
The last name Olbermann is of German origin and is derived from the words ole and bern, which mean “noble” and “bear”, respectively. This makes it a topographic or nickname surname, indicating that the original bearer of the name was someone who lived near a hillock with a bear on it. This might also indicate a bear on a coat of arms or perhaps the blacksmiths who made armour from bearskin in medieval Germany.
The name likely originated from a mixture of German and French influences in the medieval period and was associated with someone of higher status in society. It may also be related to the timing of its origin, as it first appeared around the 12th century, which was a period of increased colonialism and population movements across Europe.
As the name spread, its spelling may have changed through time, especially as areas of German and French influence often caused names to be spelled in various ways. It explains why the last name Olbermann is found in various regions of Germany and is not restricted to any one area. The variants of the name include Olbermann, Olpermann, Olberman, Oelbermann and Albermann.
Order DNA origin analysisOlbermann: Where does the name Olbermann come from?
The last name Olbermann is most common in the United States. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, there are about 1,234 people in the country with this surname. It can be particularly found in the states of Pennsylvania, New York, New Jersey, California, Illinois, and Texas. Outside of the U.S., the name Olbermann can be found in Germany and Argentina to a much lesser extent.
The Olbermann surname originates from Germany, where the family name was first recorded in the 12th century. The name is derived from the German words "olber," which means 'elf' and "man," which stands for 'man.' This could be interpreted as ''elf-man.'' It is believed that the name refers to people with elf-like qualities and magical powers.
The Olbermann name has also become famous in recent years thanks to news commentator Keith Olbermann, who is well-known for his positions on liberal causes. He served as a political commentator for MSNBC and other networks throughout the 2000s and early 2010s. He left cable news in 2012 and now works as an online news announcer with GQ Magazine.
Overall, the last name Olbermann is most common in the United States, though it is not particularly widespread in other countries today. Its most famous bearer is undoubtedly news commentator Keith Olbermann, who continues to make political waves in the media.
Variations of the surname Olbermann
The surname Olbermann is of Germanic origin and has several variants, spellings and surnames of the same origin. These include:
Olberman: This variant is most popular in the United States.
Olbermanns: This spelling is also used in some parts of the United States and is a plural variant of Olbermann
Olbermannn: This variant is more commonly seen in Germany and Austria.
Olbrman: This spelling is predominantly seen in the Netherlands. It is a close variation of Olbermann.
Oleman: Originally derived from the name Olbermann, this variant spelling is popular in the United States.
Olemann: Another variation of Olbermann, Olemann is seen mainly in the United States.
Olbman: This variant is used in Germany and Austria and is a closer variation of the name Olbermann.
Olvman: This variant is popular in the Netherlands and is similar to Olbman.
Olbemann: This variant is more common in Germany and Austria and is similar to Olbermann.
Apart from the variations in spelling, the surnames of the same origin as Olbermann include Albermann, Albersmann, Albrecht, Alpmann, Elbermann, Olpmann, Olm, and Olms. The latter two are variations of the name Olbermann which are more commonly seen in Germany and Austria.
Famous people with the name Olbermann
- Keith Olbermann: He is a television and radio host, political commentator, and writer. He hosted cable news show Countdown with Keith Olbermann from 2003 to 2011. He also hosts a web series called The Resistance Report.
- Klaus Olbermann: He is a former West German track and field athlete who represented East Germany at the 1988 Summer Olympics in Seoul, where he won a silver medal in the Hammer Throw.
- Fritz Olbermann: He was a German physician and radiologist. He is known for being the first to successfully diagnose and treat fused lumbar vertebrae.
- Kurt Olbermann: He is a German sculptor and a professor at the Olsberg Academy for Art and Art History. He is known for his bronze and steel sculptures, and also for his public works such as the City Letterbox of Olsberg, Germany.
- Marc Olbermann: He is a Swiss international footballer who plays for Swiss club FC Basel 1893.
- Hermann Olbermann: He is a former German competitive figure skater. He won the silver medal at the 1954 World Figure Skating Championships and the 1956 European Figure Skating Championships.
- Richard Olbermann: He is a German dermatologist, who researched into the causes of, and treatments for various skin diseases. His major discovery in this field was the antibiotic clofazimine, a medication used to treat leprosy.
- Friedrich Wilhelm Olbermann: He was a German field marshal who fought in the Franco-Prussian War and participated in the Storm Trooper Offensive of 1918.
- August Olbermann: He was a German anatomist, botanist, and doctor, most known for researching the causes of disease. He wrote a medical textbook about the anatomy of plants and animals in 1824.
- Günter Olbermann: He is an opera singer and professor of vocal performance in Leipzig, Germany. He has performed in opera houses around the world and is renowned for his interpretations of Wagnerian roles.