Surname Otmar - Meaning and Origin
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Otmar: What does the surname Otmar mean?
The last name Otmar is relatively uncommon, with the majority of people with the surname living in Austria. It is believed to be of German origin and derived from a contraction of the German phrase "auditor marcus", meaning "watchman Marcus".
The original form of the name appears to be Uotmar, and it is thought to have been an occupational name for someone employed as a border or customs officer. The development of this name into Otmar is then likely to have been the result of a phonetic shift, where a guttural sound at the start of the name has changed over time.
The surname Otmar also appears as the personal name Autmarus in an 8th century Bavarian document. It is likely that the name comes from a time when private armies and patrolling watchmen were common to enforce the law. It is likely, then, that the Otmar/Autmarus family was part of an officer class that went to enforce law and look after the borderlands.
Today, many people with the surname Otmar can still be found in Germany, Austria, and Switzerland, and some may even have inherited the name from when their ancestors held important positions within private armies or the empire.
Order DNA origin analysisOtmar: Where does the name Otmar come from?
The last name Otmar is most commonly found in Austria and Germany today. It was originally found in the German regions of Bavaria and Swabia, as well as in the Alsace region of France. The surname could also be found in some locations in Central Europe, particularly in Czech Republic and Slovakia.
The name Otmar is said to have first occurred in Austria in the 13th century, when a monk with the same name was given a fiefdom in what is now Lower Austria. It is believed that the name is derived from “Otto”, which was a popular given name in medieval Germanic countries. Thus, Otmar's descendants became known as the "Otmars".
Over time, the Otmar family spread both outwards and within Austria and Germany, becoming a popular name in many parts of the country. In medieval documents, it sometimes went by different spellings, such as Orthmar and Otto Mar. Today, it is found in a variety of spellings, all reflecting the original German form.
In more recent times, members of the Otmar family have spread even further from their original home. The surname is now seen in countries around the world, including the United States, where the Otmar family produces and imports wine. It is also found in Australia, Canada, and other English-speaking nations.
Variations of the surname Otmar
The surname Otmar has several variants and spellings which include Utmer, Uttmar, Utemar, Utimir, and Udtmar. The surname can also be spelled Oemar, Oetmar, Oetemer, Oetmar, and Oedtmar.
Utmer, Uttmar, Utemar, Utimir, and Udtmar are thought to be the oldest variants of the surname, stemming from the Germanic name Odemer, which is a combination of the words "od," meaning "wealth" and "meri," meaning "fame." The name is believed to have originated in the Holy Roman Empire and reflects the family's wealth and importance.
Oemar, Oetmar, Oetemer, Oetmar, and Oedtmar are thought to be the newer variants of the surname, although they are still found largely in Germany, Austria, and other European countries. Oemar might be an altered spelling of Oetmar, which is derived from "odem," a medieval German word for wealth. Oetemer is considered to be a reference to the family's high standing, derived from "eteri," meaning "highest ranks."
The surname Otmar can also be used as a surname by the people of Israel and Germany, usually given to those whose ancestors immigrated from Europe. In this case, the surname identifies people of Jewish or German ancestry, and the spelling is sometimes adapted to better reflect its origins.
In addition, Otmar can be used as a surname by people of German and Scandinavian descent in the United States, Canada, and other countries. In this case, the surname probably originated in the late 18th century to the early 20th century migration of Germans and Scandinavians to the Americas.
Famous people with the name Otmar
- Thiago Otmar: Brazilian volleyball player.
- Dario Otmar: Former Croatian basketball player.
- Alexander Otmar: Former German luge athlete.
- Xaver Otmar: Former German ice hockey player.
- Francois Otmar: Former French cyclist.
- Ralf Otmar: Austrian football player.
- Walter Otmar: Former Swiss steeplechase runner.
- Hugo Otmar: Former Swiss footballer.
- Arnold Otmar: Retired Swiss cyclist.
- Ernst Otmar: Former Swiss cross-country skier.
- wife of Johannot Otmar: a German choreographer.
- Kopoto Otmar: Former Brazilian footballer.
- Maria Otmar: Former German long-distance runner.
- Alice Otmar: German swimmer.
- Hilton Otmar: Brazilian footballer.
- Edmund Otmar: Former Swiss decathlete.
- Luiz Otmar: Brazilian footballer.
- Josephine Otmar: Former Swiss skier.
- Beat Otmar: Former Swiss footballer.
- Luitpold Otmar: Former German professional football player.