Surname Obermeyr - Meaning and Origin
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Obermeyr: What does the surname Obermeyr mean?
The last name Obermeyr is of German origin and has evolved over time and geography. It is thought to have derived from the Old German word “omer”, meaning “over.” This root could point to a family’s ancient dwelling place, such as a hill or mountain.
In the Middle Ages, German families used the Obermeyr surname as a sign of distinction alongside their existing surname. This was common in certain regions of Germany when families that shared a similar surname wished to differentiate themselves from one another and distinguish their branches from each other.
Today, the Obermeyr surname carries a sense of pride for its bearer, and anyone with the surname may be honored to have descended from a line of distinguished ancestors. The Obermeyr surname also underscores German culture and tradition, pointing to a heritage that spans centuries.
Order DNA origin analysisObermeyr: Where does the name Obermeyr come from?
The last name Obermeyr is a German name with Swiss-German roots, translating to mean "as high as the meadow." Nowadays, it is most commonly found in Germany, Austria, and Switzerland, with smaller numbers present in parts of the United States, the United Kingdom, France, Canada, and Brazil.
Although the last name Obermeyr has been around since the 12th century, records show that in the 1500s, many members of the Obermeyr family relocated to fertile lands in Bavaria, the Northern Alps, and later Southern Germany. This would be the beginning of the diaspora which spread the name across different parts of the world.
In the United States, the largest concentration of people with the last name Obermeyr is in the states of Wisconsin and Pennsylvania. Records indicate that the earliest Obermeyrs arrived in Wisconsin in the late 1840s, mostly settling in Wisconsin's rural Deerfield Township. Other smaller clusters of Obermeyrs are found in other states and cities in the US.
In Canada, the last name Obermeyr is concentrated in the province of Ontario, with a small number of Obermeyrs also present in Saskatchewan and the Northwest Territories. Several hundred Obermeyrs made their way from Germany to Canada in the 19th century, and their descendants are mainly located in the major cities of Toronto and Ottawa.
Thus, even though the last name Obermeyr originated in Germany, its present-day distribution spans multiple continents and countries. The name is particularly prolific in Europe, and much less so in the United States and Canada.
Variations of the surname Obermeyr
The surname Obermeyer can have a variety of spellings and variants. It is commonly found in Germany and some other European countries with the spelling Obermeyer. The variants of this name include Obermayer, Obermeier, and Oermayer. Other spellings can include Obermeier, Obermairy, Obermair, and Obermairz. In some cases, this surname is seen in the anglicized spelling, such as Overmier.
Obermeyer is derived as a patronymical name from the Germanic personal name Huobirmir that was composed of elements of huob or hupf (which is a title of respect) and mir (which means famous). This name could have originated in an area in Germany like Bavaria, where natives were known as Oberbayer. Therefore, the surname Obermeyer likely arose as an occupational name for a proud person from a noble family.
Obermeyer is an ancient surname that has been passed down many generations and it remains prevalent to this date. It is often found in central and northern Germany. There are some minor offshoots of this name such as Oermeyer, Obermeijer, and of course, Overmier.
Today, the surname Obermeyer is quite common in the United States and other countries around the world. It has also been changed to other surnames through immigration. Some of these variations may include Overmyer, Ovemeijer, Ovemyer, and Overmeijer. All of these surnames are connected and trace back to the same origin of the Germanic name Huobirmir.
Famous people with the name Obermeyr
- Dan Obermeyr: Dan Obermeyr was a two-time NCAA All-American gymnast while attending the University of Nebraska.
- Adolph Obermeyr: Adolph Obermeyr was a prominent German opera director, impresario, and a founder of the Berlin Volksoper.
- Laura Obermeyr: Laura Obermeyr is a professional dancer with leads in musicals such as Cats, Cabaret and Hello Dolly.
- Christina Obermeyr: Christina Obermeyr is a directing producer for the German production studio, ARRI Studios.
- Marika Obermeyr: Marika Obermeyr is a German film actress. She has had supporting roles in productions such as The Little Vampire and Enfant Terrible.
- Dan Obermeyr: Dan Obermeyr is an American Director of Photography. He has worked on films such as "The Blob" and "The Dark Tower."
- Claude Obermeyr: Claude Obermeyr is a German sound designer and mixer. He has worked on a number of feature films, television shows and video games.
- Olaf Obermeyr: Olaf Obermeyr is a German video game producer and developer. He has worked on numerous popular games such as King of the Hill and Quake.
- Jesse Obermeyr: Jesse Obermeyr is an American actor, producer and director. He has had roles in films such as The Hunger Games and The Lord of the Rings.
- Tom Obermeyr: Tom Obermeyr is a German musician, singer and songwriter. He has released several solo albums and has written and performed music for film and television.