Surname Oberdorf - Meaning and Origin
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Oberdorf: What does the surname Oberdorf mean?
The German surname Oberdorf can be translated as “upper village”. This designation is commonly derived from a geographic feature such as being situated atop a mountain or hilltop, in contrast to the nearby villages or towns at lower elevations. This topographical feature allowed the settlers of Oberdorf to keep an eye out for raiding parties or approaching invaders, and also be able to interact with other surrounding villages easily for trade purposes.
Oberdorf, like many other Germanic surnames, was adopted as a permanent family name in the 19th century when Europe started becoming more unified and regulated. This was a time when fixed vocational surnames were encouraged in order to standardize various identifiers.
Today, ‘Oberdorf’ is used by people all around the world, possibly no longer associated with its geographic origin. It has many variants such as: Oberdorfer, Oberdorfert, Oberdorff, Oberdorffer, Oberdorfel, Oberdörffer, Oberdörffel, or even simply just Dorf.
In conclusion, the surname Oberdorf is linked to a geographic feature, possibly originating in a Germanic culture or area. It has since been adopted by many different people around the world, and while its geographic heritage has been lost, its original meaning remains a strong reminder of its origin.
Order DNA origin analysisOberdorf: Where does the name Oberdorf come from?
The last name Oberdorf is most common in Germany today. It is a German surname of topographic origin denoting someone who hailed from an upper village, from the Old German elements 'ober', meaning ‘upper’ and 'dorf', meaning 'village'. Oberdorf is also found in Switzerland and Austria, were it is used as a hydronym denoting a village located in an upper region.
Oberdorf is the 1,747th most common surname in Germany with about 18,650 people bearing the name. In Austria, Oberdorf is the 816th most popular name with around 4,060 people bearing it. Switzerland ranks Oberdorf among the top 1000 names.
Oberdorf is a small and relatively common surname, but can be found on a global scale. North and South America both have significant populations with the name. In the United States, Oberdorf is particularly concentrated in Pennsylvania as well as in other states throughout the rust belt and Midwest, suggesting the name has its roots in the waves of German immigration to the country in the 19th and early 20th centuries. There are also considerable populations of the Oberdorf name in Australia, South Africa, and Great Britain.
Variations of the surname Oberdorf
The surname Oberdorf is derived from the German word for “upper village” or “upper town.” This surname is found in German-speaking regions of Europe but has spread to other countries over time. Common variants of this surname are Oberdorfer, Oberdorff, Oberdorfen, Oberdore, Oberdorfer, Oberdorfmann, and Oberdorfer.
In some cases, the spelling may have been simplified to Ober, Oer, Ore, and Oder. It may also have been preceded by a given name or location, such as von Oberdorf, van Oberdorf, and von Oberdorff, indicating a family origin or source.
Common surnames of the same origin include Osdorfer, Oberdorfer, Oberdorfmann, Oberdorfe, Oberdorfen, Oberdorffer, and Oberdore.
Additionally, there are many other surnames with similar spellings, but with different roots, such as Obert, Obertal, Obermann, and Oberstadt.
The earliest known formulated Oberdorf dates to 1409 in Bavaria, when a Johannes de Oberdorf was recorded in legal documents. Over time, theuse of the name has spread to other countries, such as Switzerland, The Netherlands, Denmark, Czech Republic, Romania, and North America, where it is now found mainly in the United States and Canada.
Famous people with the name Oberdorf
- Sarah Oberdorf: an American singer and songwriter.
- Gail Oberdorf: a former US ski racer.
- Toby Oberdorf: an American real estate entrepreneur and investor.
- Madeleine Oberdorf: a British actress.
- Myles Oberdorf: an American musician and DJ.
- James Oberdorf: an American professional basketball player.
- Theresa Oberdorf: an American television actress.
- Bob Oberdorf: a professional photographer and cinematographer.
- Jonathan Oberdorf: an American actor and producer.
- David Oberdorf: an American author and illustrator.