Surname Oberdorfer - Meaning and Origin
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Oberdorfer: What does the surname Oberdorfer mean?
The last name Oberdorfer is a German surname that is derived from two words: "Ober" meaning "upper", and "Dorfer" meaning "village". This name literally translates to "Upper Village", and it was originally used to denote someone who lived in the upper part of a village, such as on a hill or ridge.
The name Oberdorfer has been around for centuries, beginning in the Middle Ages. It eventually spread to different parts of Europe, and eventually to the United States. Today, it is a common surname in the US and many other countries.
People with the last name Oberdorfer are usually distant relatives of the original Oberdorfer family, although there are some cases of unrelated families with this same last name. The majority are usually of German or Swiss descent.
The Oberdorfer family is believed to be the oldest in Germany, and their presence in the country dates back to 1212. During this time, Oberdorfer's ancestor was named "Walther de Obirvorf", and he was given several properties by their local count. This was an early example of power and status for the Oberdorfer family.
The Oberdorfer family has spread across the world, from Europe to the United States, and have a proud history in both countries. The Oberdorfer name has been associated with strong values like loyalty, hard work, and dedication. These same values continue on today for the Oberdorfer family, and they are an important part of this family's history.
Order DNA origin analysisOberdorfer: Where does the name Oberdorfer come from?
Today, the last name Oberdorfer is largely concentrated in Germany, with over 26,000 individuals bearing the name. It is the 123rd most common last name in Germany, and the most clustered region within the country is Bavaria, followed by Baden-Württemberg and North Rhine-Westphalia. The city of Munich is the single largest place in the country to find the surname, but Oberdorfer is also found in several other Bavarian cities such as Stuttgart, Leipzig, Hamburg, Frankfurt, Berlin, and others.
The last name is also present in territories outside of Germany, mainly in Austria, Switzerland, France, and the Czech Republic, but also in countries such as the United Kingdom, the United States and Canada in much smaller numbers.
Furthermore, descendents of Oberdorfer immigrants who left the country in the 19th century, most likely in search of work or a better life, have also established families in the Americas, Australia, and even parts of Africa.
Overall, the last name Oberdorfer is extremely widespread throughout Germany, and is also shared by a number of individuals living abroad in a multitude of countries. While the name is not necessarily a frequent appearance outside of Germany, it certainly is not an uncommon one, and many families have fostered and maintained the name through the generations.
Variations of the surname Oberdorfer
Oberdorfer is a German surname originating from the Upper Palatinate region of Bavaria. Variants of the name include Obendorfer, Oberdörfer, and Oberdörffer, all of which are derived from the Middle High German word “dorfer”, meaning ‘village’ and “ober” meaning ‘upper’ or ‘higher’.
The full surname Oberdorfer typically remains unchanged and contains two separate words. The surname can also appear as Ober Dorfer, where Ober is combined with Dorfer. In some cases, Oberdorfer may also be seen as single-words such as Oberdrf or Oberdrorf, Oberdrff or Oberdorf, and even Oberdoff.
Over time, some people with the surname Oberdorfer have chosen to include the preposition “von” in front of their own name, forming the surname Von Oberdorfer. This practice was more common in Austria and Germany during the 19th and 20th centuries and demonstrated a person’s social standing and wealth.
Various spelling mistakes and mispronunciations of the name have been reported. A common example is Obendorff, which is an incorrect spelling of the surname.
In some cases, people may come across other surnames that derive from Oberdorfer. These include Döffinger, Döffinger-Oberdorfer, Dörfflinger, Oberdorffer-Dörfflinger, Oberdörffinger, and Oberdörffer.
In conclusion, the surname Oberdorfer is relatively common throughout Germany and Austria and there are several variations and spellings of the name, some of which involve the adding of the preposition “von”. As well as variations, there are also other surnames that are derived from Oberdorfer.
Famous people with the name Oberdorfer
- Don Oberdorfer: Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist and professor of communication and politics at Johns Hopkins
- Dona Oberdorfer: American furniture designer and entrepreneur
- Janice Oberdorfer: American singer and songwriter
- Rob Oberdorfer: American actor
- Nicholas Oberdorfer: American astronomer
- Andrew Oberdorfer: American physicist
- Kurt Oberdorfer: American painter and engraver
- Ruth Oberdorfer: American botanist
- Peter Oberdorfer: German architect
- Robert Oberdorfer: American electrical engineer and executive