Surname Obenhuber - Meaning and Origin
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Obenhuber: What does the surname Obenhuber mean?
The last name Obenhuber is of German origin, derived from the words ‘oben’, meaning ‘above’, and ‘huber’, meaning ‘farms’ or ‘references’. Together, the words create the literal translation of ‘above farms’ or ‘above references’.
This could be an occupational surname, referring to a person who farmed or owned land on the hilly areas of Germany. During feudal times, the hills were owned by noble families who had large, productive farms. The people who owned farms in the lower fields, or with less prestigious land, would be known as ‘Obenhuber’, or ‘above farms’.
It’s also possible that the name has a more abstract meaning, with ‘oben’ referring to a high standard or quality of something. This could mean that the name ‘Obenhuber’ was given to someone who was considered to be an expert in their field, or someone who held a high social status.
The spelling of the name can vary, as it can often be spelt ‘O-b-e-n-h-u-b-e-r’ or ‘Ö-b-e-n-h-u-b-e-r’. The ‘O’ can sometimes be substituted for an ‘ö’ as both are pronounced similarly. As a result, there are several variations of the name in modern records.
Today, the surname is found throughout Germany, as well as some other countries where Germanic people have settled. The name remains relatively uncommon, but those who bear the name are proud of its history and origin.
Order DNA origin analysisObenhuber: Where does the name Obenhuber come from?
The last name Obenhuber is primarily found in countries of Central, Southern, and Eastern Europe, particularly in the Czech Republic, Austria, Germany, Hungary, Romania, and Slovakia. It is a relatively uncommon surname today, but there are records of its usage in each of these countries at least as far back as the 16th century.
In modern times, the surname Obenhuber is most common in the Czech Republic, where records show that as of 2018, approximately 6,570 people held it. In Austria, the surname is held by approximately 3,590 people, making it the 252nd most common name there. It is also found in Germany but is only held by about 845 people, making it a rare surname there. According to records from 2017, it is the 4,683rd most common name in Hungary, the 2,146th most common name in Romania, and the 4,728th most common name in Slovakia.
Records indicate that the surname Obenhuber was quite widely used in Czech-speaking regions up until about 1950, when its usage began to decline substantially. This coincides with the occupation of Czechoslovakia by Nazi Germany, as many non-Germanic names were actively discouraged and changed to Germanic-sounding ones during that time. In the decades that have since passed, the surname continued to be passed down to future generations through those that did not opt to “de-Czechify” it during the occupation, maintaining its legacy in the countries of Central, Southern, and Eastern Europe.
Variations of the surname Obenhuber
The surname Obenhuber has various variants, spellings, and surnames of the same origin. The most common variants are Ubenhoffer and Oberhoffer, but many others exist.
The spelling variants of Obenhuber are Oberhuber, Oberhauber, Ubenhauber, Oehnhuber, Oenhuber, Owenhuber, Ubhenhuber, Unhuber, and Ounhuber. The double-e variants of the surname, like Oeenhuber, exist as well.
The surnames of the same origin include Ubenhofer, Ubinhofer, Oberhofer, Ubinhoffer, Ubhofen, Obinhofer, Ubinhufener, and Ubhoven. Additionally, there are many other spellings that are similar to the Obenhuber surname, such as Obenhofer, Ubenhoffer, Obenhofen, Ebinhofer, Ubenhofner, Upenhaver, Ubenhaves, and Obenhaver.
The surnames with similar origins, such as Ubinhofen, Ubinhoffer, and Ubhofen are all derived from the Germanic words for upper and house. The ‘Uben’ root of the surname suggests that the original bearer of the name had a property that was on the higher ground or on an elevated level.
The name Obenhuber originates in the northern German and Bavarian regions and is mostly associated with the Lower Saxony area. It is also found in other German regions, such as Silesia and Prussia, as well as Austria.
In most cases, the surname has kept its original spelling. However, it has also been modified in different parts of Germany due to regional dialects and traditions. Thus, it is important to research the various variants of the Obenhuber name to trace its full history.
Famous people with the name Obenhuber
- Monica Obenhuber: Monica is a Colombian artist who explores ways of perceiving and representing images both in painting and video.
- Gerhard Obenhuber: Gerhard is a German politician and former deputy leader of the Christian Social Union (CSU) party.
- Antonin Obenhuber: Antonin is an Austrian sculptor and painter who has produced many public and private sculptures and monumental works.
- Timothy Obenhuber: Timothy is an American film producer who has worked on many popular films, such as the Fast and Furious franchise and the upcoming Godzilla vs. Kong.
- Mira Obenhuber: Mira is a German fashion designer who has been featured in major fashion magazines, including Vogue, Elle, and Marie Claire.
- Meike Obenhuber: Meike is a German actress who has appeared in films such as Zeit der Freundinnen and Frenemies and TV shows, such as Unter Uns and Good Times Bad Times.
- Johanna Obenhuber: Johanna is an Austrian legal scholar and professor at the University of Vienna who specializes in criminal law, European law, and human rights law.
- Alexander Obenhuber: Alexander is a German businessman and the co-founder of a medical device company. He currently works with startups and invests in early-stage companies.
- Peter Obenhuber: Peter is a Swiss sports journalist and former editor for Tages-Anzeiger, one of Switzerland’s leading newspapers.
- Friederike Obenhuber: Friederike is a German sociologist and professor at the Technical University of Munich. Her research focuses on technology, healthcare, and the changing dynamics of families.