Surname Obermeir - Meaning and Origin
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Obermeir: What does the surname Obermeir mean?
The last name Obermeir is of German origin and is derived from the German word "Ober," meaning upper, and "Meier," meaning mayor or head. Most likely, it was initially used as a nickname for someone who held a high official position in the region or a top-ranking military post.
Its first recorded use in German records dates back to 1215, when a man named Walther de Obermayre was mentioned in a Bavarian official document. Over the centuries, the name has morphed into different spellings, but has retained its meaning.
The most common spelling in modern times is Obermeir. It is used throughout Germany, Austria, and Switzerland, as well as other parts of Europe. Today, an Obermeir is most often associated with someone who is a leader in business, government, or academia. It is a name of nobility that represents strength, authority, and will in a community.
The Obermeir family crest generally includes a coronet which represents loyalty and honor. The family motto is "Gutstehrt & Fürchtet Niemanden" which translates to "Endured well and feared no one." This motto reflects the family's strong values, and its desire to maintain these values throughout the generations.
Order DNA origin analysisObermeir: Where does the name Obermeir come from?
The last name Obermeir is most commonly found in the state of Bavaria in Germany. It is a rare name, found only in a few parts of the world such as the United States, Australia, Canada, and several other countries around the world.
In Germany, the name is found primarily in Bavaria, specifically in and around the city of Augsburg. Augsburg is a well-known cultural and historical center for the country, and has been home to many esteemed members of the Obermeir clan such as Hanns-Wolfgang Obermeir, a prominent figure in the world of German music. Obermeir is also a common name in nearby regions such as Upper and Lower Austria.
Outside of Germany, there is a small number of Obermeirs located in the United States, mainly centered in the Midwest and east coast, particularly in Ohio, Pennsylvania, and New Jersey. It is also found in various immigrants-rich hotspots such as Florida and California.
In Australia, Obermeir is found mainly in the western parts and the capital, Sydney. Further afield, in Canada there is a scattering of this name throughout the provinces, although the majority are found in Alberta, Saskatchewan, and Ontario, in cities such as Edmonton and Toronto.
Obermeir is a rare last name, but nonetheless can be found throughout the world in a variety of places.
Variations of the surname Obermeir
The surname Obermeir has a variety of spellings and variants that are used internationally. In German, the name is typically spelled Obermeier or Obermayer, although Obermaier, Obermeyer, and Obermayr are also used occasionally. The surname can also be found in Jewish families where it is usually written as Oberman or Obermann.
In some cases, the French spelling of Obermeir is as Obermeilleur or Obermeilleur, while the Italian variant is Obermeier. In Scandinavian countries, the name is often spelled as Öbermeir, Öberman, or Öbermann. However, the spelling Öbermeier is not common in Scandinavia.
The surname Obermeir also appears with a variety of Dutch and Flemish spellings such as Overmeer, Overmeire, Overmaer, Overmaire, Overlamire, and Overlammer. In Lithuania, the name is spelled Owbermeiras.
In the United States, many families who were originally from Germany, Scandinavia, Eastern Europe, or Austria adopted the Americanized spelling of Obermeier or Obermeyer.
Additionally, families may have adopted additional surnames based on the place they originated from or the occupation they held. For example, a family may have adopted Oberster, Oberflak, Oberburger, Oberbest, Oberstetter, and Obermeister as alternative surnames.
The vast majority of people with the surname Obermeir are likely to be descended from a single family who originally lived in the Rhineland area of Germany, although it is possible for other families to have adopted the surname over time.
Famous people with the name Obermeir
- André Obermayer- former Minister President of the state of Baden-Württemberg
- Bernhard Obermayer- Austrian general and military commander
- Jörg Obermeir- German footballer
- Natascha Obermeyer- German triathlete
- Nikolaus Obermeir- German entrepreneur
- Peter Obermeyer- graphic artist and sculptor
- Rudolf Obermeir- Austrian lawyer and politician
- Sepp Obermayer- former soccer player
- Torsten Obermeyer- former race car driver
- Ulrich Obermayer- German historian