Surname Oberfranz - Meaning and Origin
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Oberfranz: What does the surname Oberfranz mean?
The last name Oberfranz is of German origin and is an occupational surname. It derives from the German word "ober," meaning "high," and "franz," which has evolved to mean "free, noble, and frank," possibly referring to a powerful person of the time. Though there are numerous variations, including Oberfrank, Oberfrantz, and Oberfram, these all share the same core meaning.
In the Middle Ages, when the Oberfranz surname first began to appear, the family was most likely associated with a nobility or high ranking in the church or government, and were closely associated with the Lords of Oberfranken, a region in Bavaria. This region was not only considered the birthplace of the Oberfranz surname, but was also the ancestral home for many other aristocratic families from the same time period.
The Oberfranz family could have had a variety of social requirements including working at a high level, such as political positions, in the Church, or high-ranking positions in the military. They were likely members of the ruling class and had great power and influence in their territories.
Today, the Oberfranz surname is still common in Germany, and is a reminder of Aristocracy from centuries before. It conjures a strong sense of loyalty to one's homeland, and is a proud representation of a legacy of strength, privilege, and accomplishment.
Order DNA origin analysisOberfranz: Where does the name Oberfranz come from?
The surname Oberfranz is a variant of the surname Oberprantl, which is an Austrian noble family from the village of Hof in Upper Bavaria. The family's roots in Austrian nobility can be traced back to the 17th century. Today, the Oberfranz surname is seen in central Europe and North America.
In the United States, Oberfranz has spread from its original source in European immigrants. Currently the most populated area in the US for the last name is New York, where it is still seen especially in the Albany and Schenectady areas. The number of people with the surname Oberfranz in the US has declined since its peak in the early 1900s, but it is still seen.
In Europe, Oberfranz is commonly found in Austria, its birthplace. This is largely due to the fact that outside of the US, Austria has the largest population of the Oberfranz surname. The Austrian states with the most common occurrence of the name are Lower Austria, Salzburg, and Vienna.
Overall, the surname Oberfranz is still seen today, albeit spread out across various regions of the world and not in the same concentrations that it used to be in the past. As the world gets increasingly connected, it is likely that the last name will start to become more widespread, increasing its presence in North America and Europe.
Variations of the surname Oberfranz
The surname Oberfranz is derived from the Old German language and is derived from the French name "auberfranz" which translates to mean "nobleman of France”. The Oberfranz family name is most commonly found in the German-speaking countries, such as Germany and Austria.
Variants and Spellings of Oberfranz
The variations, spellings and surnames associated with Oberfranz include the following:
Ober-Franz
Oberfrantz
Oberfrans
Oberfranzen
Oberfrances
Oberfrands
Oberfranc
Oberfrance
Oberfrancs
Oberfryans
Ober-Frantz
Surnames of the Same Origin
The surnames of the same origin as Oberfranz include the following:
Aufranz
Aufrance
Aufrans
Aufranzen
Aufrances
Aufranses
Aufrands
Fraunce
Fraunces
Freefrance
Frayance
Frieffranz
Rufrance
Rufrances
Ruffrance
Ruffrances
Taufrance
Taufrances
Taufrantz.
Famous people with the name Oberfranz
- Karl-Heinz Oberfranz, former East German swimmer
- Molly Oberfranz, actress
- Christian Oberfranz, German football player
- Louis Oberfranz, German art collector
- Linda Oberfranz, German singer
- Gerd Oberfranz, German film director
- Christoph Oberfranz, German composer and conductor
- Johann Oberfranz, Bavarian duchess
- Hermann Oberfranz, German painter
- Edgar Oberfranz, German opera director