Surname Oberberg - Meaning and Origin
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Oberberg: What does the surname Oberberg mean?
The surname Oberberg is of German origin and is derived from the German word “Ober,” meaning “upper,” and “berg,” meaning “mountain.” The literal meaning of the name therefore is “over the mountain” or “above the mountain.”
The surname is likely derived from an area of Germany, such as a mountain range or valley, that was known as Oberberg or Over the Mountain. This implies that members of the family were associated with this area, either residing there or travelling through it.
Oberberg is an uncommon surname, with few recorded occurrences being found in records. However, those members of the Oberberg family that can be identified have been found in several regions of Germany, including Bavaria, Baden-Württemberg, and Saxony-Anhalt.
Oberberg may also be an occupational surname, referring to someone who worked in a particular type of profession in an upper area. An example could potentially be an apothecary on a mountain road.
By combining both the literal meaning and potential origins of the surname Oberberg, one can surmise that the Oberberg family were a small group with strong ties to a mountainous area in Germany, whether as immigrants, travellers, or workers.
Order DNA origin analysisOberberg: Where does the name Oberberg come from?
Oberberg is an uncommon German surname. It is most commonly found in southern Germany, especially in Baden-Württemberg. The small town of Oberberg, located at the southern edge of the country, is believed to be the origin of the name.
The overwhelming majority of people with the last name Oberberg are of German descent. A small number of people may also be found in the United States, primarily in immigration records from the late 19th and early 20th centuries.
Though families with the last name Oberberg are sparsely spread throughout Europe, many with the last name still reside in Germany today. If searching for someone with this name, checking records from southern districts and villages may prove successful.
Following World War II, some Oberbergs who had immigrated to the United States may have changed their surname, making them harder to trace. Thus, some people who had this name in Germany may have adapted and go by different names today.
Variations of the surname Oberberg
The variants, spellings, and surnames of the same origin as Oberberg are Oberburger, Oberberge, Obreberger, Obraberg, Oeborberger, Oepenberger, Opperberg, Oppenberger, Opdenger, Opperburger, Oppermann, and Obbring.
Oberberg is an ancient German surname originating from the early 1200s. The etymological breakdown of the surname helps to explain its many variants. Ober meaning above or over, and Berg meaning mountain, hill, or mountain range. The patterns in the various spellings and surnames are a direct result of the regional dialects as the Oberberg surname spread across Germany.
The Oberberg surname can be found in records dating back to 1228 in Berlin, Germany. A record of two brothers named Eckhard von Oberberge and Carl von Oberberge are mentioned in Mecklenburg in 1283. The Oberbergs spread throughout the German region and beyond into the surrounding states and countries.
In 1564, the Oberburgers of Thuringen first showed up in records. In 1584, the Obburger family from Strasburg touched down in France. During the 16th and 17th centuries, two families of Oberbergs - the Oberberger family of Bavaria, and the Oberburgers from Coblenz -immigrated to the American colonies.
The numerous variants of the Oberberg surname are a result of the variety of regional dialects that occurred as the surname moved and spread throughout Germany and beyond. As the Oberbergs moved and settled in different countries, the surname adapted to the dialects in their new home, creating the many versions of this ancient Germanic surname.
Famous people with the name Oberberg
- Dr. Stephan Oberberg: German medical researcher and professor of Preventative Medicine and Health Promotion, at the Medical Faculty of the Charité in Berlin.
- Bernd Oberberg: International lawyer based in Germany, specializes in corporate law.
- Stephen Oberberg: Professional ice hockey player who played in the German professional Ice Hockey League for Eisbären Berlin.
- Johann Wilhelm Oberberg: German organ builder and builder of cathedral organs in Wiesbaden, Frankfurt, and Mayen.
- W.H. Oberberg: 19th century German engraver who worked in Berlin.
- Dick Oberberg: American photographer and filmmaker.
- Arnim von Oberberg: German court photographer and member of the Prussian Academy of Arts.
- George O. Oberberg: American politician in Wisconsin.
- Johannes Oberberg: German subpost master and pioneer of telecommunication services in Münster, Germany. 10.Georg Oberberger: Austrian composer and Kapellmeister from Nuremberg.