Surname Oberdik - Meaning and Origin
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Oberdik: What does the surname Oberdik mean?
The surname Oberdik is of German origin and is derived from the words “Obber” meaning an “overlord” or “superior” and “Dick” meaning “strong”. As such, Oberdik is an occupational name referring to a steward or bailiff. Since these were important positions at the time, Oberdik could have been a name given to respected individuals or to those with a long line of ancestry of such service.
Oberdik can also be an anglicized version of the German surname Oberdetlef, which dates back as far as the 1400s and was given to people from the same family line. The origin of the Oberdetlef name is related to the Old Saxon name Thiuda-laf. This name was derived from the elements thiuda, the Old Saxon word for “people” and laf, meaning “heir” or “inheritance”.
That being said, people with the surname Oberdik are likely descendants of individuals who had a prestigious role in early medieval Germany. Through the years, this surname could have been anglicized to Oberdik and likely spread to different countries as the name holder and his family moved around. But no matter the location, the Oberdik name is rooted in its Germanic meaning of “overlord” or “superior”.
Order DNA origin analysisOberdik: Where does the name Oberdik come from?
The last name Oberdik is of German origin, and is most common today in German-speaking countries such as Germany, Austria, and Switzerland. The name is derived from the German word "Oberdeich" meaning "upper dike" or "riverbank".
The name can be found throughout Germany, especially in the northern states of Saxony-Anhalt, Thuringia, and Brandenburg. In Austria, the name can be found in the western state of Vorarlberg, and in the south-western states of Tyrol and Carinthia. In Switzerland, the name is mostly present in the German-speaking canton of Thurgau. Oberdik is also present in parts of Poland, the Czech Republic, and France.
Within the United States, the last name Oberdik is present mainly in Pennsylvania as many German immigrants settled in the state during the 1800s. The name can also be found in other parts of the US, including the states of Wisconsin, Minnesota, Ohio, and New York.
In terms of population distribution, the latest statistics report that there are approximately 3,500 people in the world who bear the last name Oberdik. Most of them live in Europe, with the largest concentration being in Germany (around 1,600 people). The remaining Oberdiks are spread out in North and South America, Russia, and the Far East.
Variations of the surname Oberdik
Oberdik is an uncommon German or teutonic surname. It is derived from "Obere," or "Oberen," meaning "upper;" and "Dik," meaning "rich." Thus, Oberdik metaphorically refers to somebody wealthy or from an upper class. It may also refer to somebody who came from the Upper Dike region, situated in the present-day Netherlands.
The variants, spellings and surnames of the same origin for Oberdik include Obrdek, Obredek, Obredic, Oberdic, Oberdick, Oberdyck, Oberdeck, Oberdyke, Oberdyk and Oberlieck. Another variant spelling is Odijk, which is used especially among the Dutch congeneurs.
Surnames derived from Oberdik include Oberdiener—literally meaning "upper servant"—Oberreich, Oberrich, Oberriech, Rrich, Obrich, Oerrich, Okkerdyck, Okkerdyk and Okkerdeck.
The spelling of these names vary depending on the language, geographical region and even the individual lineages of families. There are also instances where surnames are altered from original forms while being passed down from generation to generation.
All the given variants, spellings and surnames for Oberdik share the same origin: the stem of the original surname Oberdik. It implies that all these families can be traced back to Oberdik, and that each family carries forward the legacy of rich heritage.
Famous people with the name Oberdik
- Fabian Oberdik: German politician and member of the Christian Democratic Union (CDU) for the electoral Constituency of Bielefeld, Germany.
- Sander Oberdik: Dutch footballer who played as a midfielder for the Dutch team, PSV Eindhoven from 2009 to 2013.
- Emile Oberdik: Dutch professional basketball player who plays for GasTerra Flames in the Dutch Basketball League.
- Dirk Oberdik: Dutch professional basketball coach who currently serves as the head coach of ZZZ Leiden.
- Miep Oberdik: Dutch actress who has appeared in several films, television shows, and theatrical productions since 2005.
- Willem Oberdik: Dutch painter who was active during the 19th century. He specialized in portraiture and religious paintings.
- Gerd Oberdik: German figure skater and former Olympian who medalled at numerous international competitions during the 1980s.
- Paul Oberdik: Dutch illustrator and artist who has worked for various companies including Grey Advertising and Phillips Electronics.
- Martin Oberdik: German printmaker, illustrator, and painter who is known for his landscapes and still lifes.
- Irene Oberdik: Dutch singer who has performed in various musicals including Annie, Grease, and Sister Act.