Surname Obergefell - Meaning and Origin
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Obergefell: What does the surname Obergefell mean?
The last name Obergefell is of German origin. It is derived from the German word "obergefäll" which means "top of the hill". This was likely referring to a physical geographic feature near the Obergefell family's home. It is a fairly uncommon name, but it has gained some significance in recent years.
In 2015, the surname became known worldwide when an Ohio man named Jim Obergefell filed a lawsuit against the state. At the time, same-sex marriage was illegal in the United States. He argued that the law denying him the right to be recognized as the surviving spouse on his late husband's death certificate violated his constitutional rights. The Supreme Court eventually ruled in Obergefell's favor, starting a nationwide legal push to recognize marriage equality.
Since then, the last name Obergefell has become associated with an important human rights victory for the LGBTQ+ community and has been a powerful symbol of support for people of all sexual orientations. Even though it is not a common name, it holds a special place in the hearts of many, and the legacy of its namesake will live on.
Order DNA origin analysisObergefell: Where does the name Obergefell come from?
The last name Obergefell can be found in many countries around the world today. According to Forebears, a genealogical database, the surname Obergefell is most common in the United States and Germany. In the US, the states of Ohio, Pennsylvania, and Indiana have the highest concentration of people with the surname.
In addition to the US, the surname Obergefell is also found in Germany, France, the Netherlands, Austria, Sweden, and Russia. In Germany, the surname is most commonly found in the states of Hesse, Bavaria, and Saxony. In France, the surname is most common in the Rhône-Alpes region and in the Netherlands it is most commonly found in Gelderland.
While the name Obergefell is found in many different countries, its origin is traced to a small village near Leipzig, Germany around the 17th century when the family first settled there. The name has since spread throughout the world, particularly to North America with many of the descendants living in the United States because of immigration in the 19th century.
Today, the name Obergefell is commonly associated with the Supreme Court case of Obergefell v. Hodges, in which the US Supreme Court ruled that same-sex couples had a fundamental right to marry. However, the surname predates this legal decision and it is interesting to look at its history and origins.
Variations of the surname Obergefell
Obergefell is an uncommon German surname. Its spelling, variants, and surnames of the same origin include Obergefelli, Obergefel, Obergefellen, Obergefel, Oberegefell, Obergfell, Obergefelle, Obergeffell, Obergeffel, Obergoefel, Oberkofel, Oberkeffel, Oberkefell, Oberkefel, Oberkofell, Öberköfel, Öberkoefel, Ölbrököfel, Oellbrököfel, Ollbroköfel, Oellbrökoefel, Ollbrokoefel, Oelbrököfel, Oberköfel, Oberkoefel, and Oberköfelle.
The core meaning of Obergefell is "upper village well," where ober stands for upper and gefell stands for village well. The surname was likely given to those whose origin was in an area known for its well. Historically, the well would have served as an important source of water, helping to nurture the surrounding villages.
Another explanation is that Obergefell is derived from "Oberes," which is a version of the Old High German "Ubaraz," meaning someone who was noble and esteemed. With time, this took on the meaning of respected and then finally became the last name Obergefell. This is most likely derived from the upper class of individuals who held lands and homes, as opposed to common people who were just tenants or villagers in the area.
Finally, Obergefell may also be related to another German word "gera," which means an open area used for mowing. This could relate to a village in the area named after its mowing fields or meadows.
In any case, all of these variants and spellings can be traced back to Obergefell, an uncommon German surname that has many origins, meanings, and spellings.
Famous people with the name Obergefell
- Jim Obergefell: Jim Obergefell is a civil rights activist who was a plaintiff in the landmark US Supreme Court case Obergefell v. Hodges. The Supreme Court ruled in his favor, legalizing same-sex marriage in all 50 states in the US.
- Florence S. Obergefell: Florence Was an American musician, music teacher, and adjunct professor. She was the daughter of the famous civil rights attorney James Obergefell, and was an accomplished musician whose works were published in Europe.
- Michael Obergefell: Michael Obergefell is a LGBTQ advocate and public speaker, known for his role in galvanizing the movement for marriage equality and for his work in the fight against HIV/AIDS and cancer. He also served as the spokesperson for the Obergefell v. Hodges case.
- John Obergefell: John Obergefell is a US Navy veteran who has been actively engaged in advocating for equality rights for gay, lesbian, and transgender veterans in the United States. He also served as the lead plaintiff in the legal challenge to the Defense of Marriage Act.
- James Obergefell: James Obergefell was a prominent civil rights attorney and champion of the LGBT community. He was the father of Jim Obergefell, the lead plaintiff in the case Obergefell v. Hodges, which legalized same-sex marriage in all 50 states. He was inducted into the Ohio Civil Rights Hall of Fame in 2017.
- Jane Obergefell: Jane Obergefell is a film and television actress known for her roles in films and television shows such as Our Boys (1992–94), Regis (1994), and Days of Our Lives (1999). Jane is married to Michael Obergefell, the spokesperson for Obergefell v. Hodges.
- Julian Obergefell: Julian Obergefell is an American legal scholar, focusing primarily on constitutional law and civil rights. He is a professor at the University of Houston Law Center and is the son of James Obergefell, who is known for his work in the Obergefell v. Hodges case.