Surname Obrist - Meaning and Origin
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read moreObrist: What does the surname Obrist mean?
The surname Obrist is of German origin, and is derived from the Middle High German word "oberiest" meaning "superintendent." This suggests that the first bearer of the name was a member of the nobility, likely a castle overseer, and was given this prestigious title.
The name is found in records dating back to as early as 1263, where one Conrad von Obrist was registered as a witness to a document in the city of Konstanz in Germany. By the 1700s and 1800s, however, it had spread to other parts of Europe such as Bavaria and Switzerland.
In Switzerland, the name Obrist is primarily associated with the authorities of cantons and cities, the Swiss Federal Council, and Swiss Parliament. Records indicate that there have been a few high-ranking military officers with the surname, such as Lieutenant Colonel Wilhelm Obrist from Alsace-Lorraine who served in the Imperial and Royal Austro-Hungarian Army.
Though it is most commonly found in German cultures, Obrist is also found in countries such as the United States, Canada, and the United Kingdom. All in all, the surname Obrist carries a rich history of wealth, power, and nobility as a result of its German roots.
Order DNA origin analysisObrist: Where does the name Obrist come from?
The last name Obrist is most commonly found today in Austria, Switzerland, and the German-speaking parts of northern Italy. It is also slightly more frequently found in some other central European countries, such as Slovakia and Croatia, and it appears sporadically in regions as far-flung as the United States, Canada, Brazil, Australia, and even South Africa.
In Austria, Obrist is the 34th most common name, while in Switzerland it ranks even higher at number 24. These rankings should come as no surprise - more than 9,000 people of Austrian-Swiss ancestry born in the US alone trace their roots back to those countries.
The origin of the name Obrist is German, and it is a variant of the surname Oberst, meaning "chief" or "captain". It is one of the few surnames that were unchanged during the period of the Austro-Hungarian Empire, which was when the name spread across the continent.
The Obrist family is believed to have arrived in Switzerland from the south of Germany in around the 1500s, and then steadily spread throughout surrounding central European regions. Since then, various branches of the family have emigrated to other parts of the world.
Most people with the last name Obrist live in Europe today, but wherever you find them, you can be sure they come from a long line of proud ancestry that has spanned continents and centuries.
Variations of the surname Obrist
The surname Obrist has variants, spellings, and surnames of the same origin.
The variants of the surname Obrist are Obrister, Obryster, and Obrister. Furthermore, the alternate spellings of Obrist include Von Obrister, Obrister, Obristerr, Obreister, Obrisster, Obryser, and Obryster.
Common surnames of the same origin as Obrist include Aberasturi, Aberastury, Abrester, Abrister, Abrisster, Aberasturi, and Aberastury. These surnames all derive from the same origins of the name and are just minor variations of the word.
The origin of the surname is ultimately derived from the Old German word "obrist," meaning "master" or "defender." The surname has roots in military households as a reference to a senior military officer with the rank of general or equivalent. In some cases, the surname can also be a reference to a person in charge of training or teaching in a school or monastery.
It was also used as a professional surname for those working in the carry trade profession, such as merchants and traders. Over time, this has changed to become Obrist and its other variants, which is commonly found in modern-day German-speaking countries and throughout Europe.
Famous people with the name Obrist
- Hans Ulrich Obrist: Swiss curator, art historian, a founder of the Curatorial Practice program at the University of the Arts London.
- Elisabeth Obrist-Vogler: Swiss politician from St. Gallen.
- Alexander Obrist: Swiss painter and photographer from St. Gallen.
- Paul Obrist: Swiss painter from St. Gallen.
- Marius Obrist: Swiss sculptor from St. Gallen.
- Silvan Obrist: Swiss architect and product designer from Uster.
- Tobias Obrist: Swiss chef and TV personality, winner of the “Swiss Master Chef” 2017.
- Emil Obrist: Swiss designer and entrepreneur from St. Gallen.
- Jenny Obrist: Swiss illustrator from St. Gallen.
- Philipp Obrist: Swiss restaurateur and owner of Obrist Catering in St. Gallen.