Surname Oberheide - Meaning and Origin
all surnames with 'O'
Oberheide: What does the surname Oberheide mean?
The last name Oberheide is a German word with two parts: "Ober" meaning upper or higher and "heide" meaning heath. Together, they mean “high heath” or “upper heath,” which most likely references the family or person’s origin in a higher, elevated area covered predominantly with heath plants. It’s possible that the family originated in an area with a more rugged and hilly terrain than what was found around it.
The name is believed to come from the Middle Ages, when the surname was given to families who lived in an area with a newer settlement where the heath was found. It’s not clear exactly how old the name is, but the older spellings such as Overeschaid and Oberhschaid give us a hint that it is very old indeed.
The Oberheides of today can be found in countries all over the world, including Germany, the United States, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand. Different branches of the family have created different things with the name, such as a popular ice cream shop in Germany, a historic bridge in Canada, and several Australian companies and organizations.
No matter the spelling that greets you today, the Oberheide name is an ancient one that still holds a place in the hearts of many people around the world.
Order DNA origin analysisOberheide: Where does the name Oberheide come from?
The Oberheide surname is commonly found today in parts of Europe and North America. It is most prevalent in Germany where it originated centuries ago. According to German records, Oberheide is a toponymic name derived from the Old German words ober meaning “upper” and heide meaning “heathland”, referring to someone who lived on higher ground.
In the United States, the Oberheide surname is most common in the midwestern states of Iowa, Nebraska, and Michigan. As indicated by the US Census, there are more than 2,700 Oberheide families living in these states and surrounding areas. The most populated areas for the Oberheide name are Des Moines, Omaha, and Grand Rapids.
Elsewhere, Oberheide is also quite popular in Canada, especially Ontario and Alberta. Recent data from Canada’s 2016 census revealed that approximately 740 families in the country had the Oberheide surname.
In Europe, Oberheide is most concentrated in Flash, a small community of 33,000 inhabitants in northwest Germany, close to the Dutch and Belgian borders. Here, the Oberheides are one of the most populous families in the region and the surname is found in virtually every town and village.
Generally speaking, the Oberheide surname is still quite common today, although it is more heavily dispersed than it once was. With families being located in congregations across Europe and North America, it is likely to remain well established into the future.
Variations of the surname Oberheide
The surname Oberheide is one of the oldest in Germany. It is derived from the German word "Oberheide" which means "upper heath". The variants, spellings, and surnames which derived from "Oberheide" are:
Oberhaid: it is a variant of Oberheide which used to be commonly found in Austria.
Oberheid: another variant of Oberheide, usually found in northern Germany.
Oberhöyd: derived from the word Oberheide, it is found mainly in Switzerland.
Obergheide: this variant originates from the northwestern region of Germany, Boone County.
Aberheide: found in southwestern Germany, it could be a combination of "aber" and "heide".
Aberheid: this spelling is found in Germany as well as the United States.
Abberheide: this spelling is found in Baden-Württemberg, Germany.
Obberheide: this spelling is found in the United States.
Oberyde: this spelling is found in Luxembourg.
Obaheide: this spelling is found in the United States.
Oberhaye: this variant is found mainly in the United States.
Obereyde: this variant is found in Luxembourg.
Ogerheide: this variant is found in the United States.
Oberhida: this spelling is found in Austria.
Oberhiide: this variant is found mostly in the United States.
All of these variants show how the surname Oberheide has evolved over time. Even today, different members of the same family may choose different variants of the surname as the generations pass by.
Famous people with the name Oberheide
- Joe Oberheide: a professional downhill mountain biker
- Ute Oberheide: Member of the German Parliament from 1984-1987
- Jason Oberheide: Software Engineer who has worked for Microsoft
- Kenneth Oberheide: Professor and Cyber Security Expert
- Anne Oberheide: Oncology Nurse Practitioner and LGBTQ Activist
- Jerry Oberheide: Award Winning Musician and Singer-Songwriter
- Arthur Oberheide: German Economist and Strategist
- Jules Oberheide: French Composer and Pianist
- Wayne Oberheide: Former Director of the USF Water Institute
- Amber Oberheide: Professional Cosmetologist and Social Media Influencer