Surname Obstmayer - Meaning and Origin
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Obstmayer: What does the surname Obstmayer mean?
The last name Obstmayer is of German origin and is derived from the Middle High German phrase “obstmære”, which translates roughly to “apple orchard”. It is a topographic surname, meaning it was originally used to describe someone who lived near an apple orchard. It is a fairly unique name, and today is mainly found in Bavaria, Germany, and Austria.
The name was likely first used by a family whose livelihood was based around growing and selling apples, pears, and other fruits taken from an orchard. It is likely that the family owned the orchard which gave them the surname, as the name was passed down from generation to generation. Over time, the family moved out of the orchard and into other professions, but the name Obstmayer continues to be used as an indicator of where their roots began.
The surname Obstmayer can also indicate the prominent role that apple orchards or fruit production have in the family's history. Today, such orchards or farms are often passed down in families or have been in the family for many generations, so using the surname to represent the whole family’s history in this way is becoming increasingly common.
Overall, the last name Obstmayer is an uncommon but meaningful piece of family history. It is clear evidence of where the family originated and the agricultural background it comes from. Its presence over generations highlights the importance of the apple orchard in the family’s history, and the hard work and dedication put into caring for and harvesting fruit from it.
Order DNA origin analysisObstmayer: Where does the name Obstmayer come from?
The last name Obstmayer is most commonly found in Germany today. It is also present in parts of Austria, where it has roots dating back centuries, as well as in some parts of the United States and Canada. In the United States, the name is most frequently found in states such as Ohio, Pennsylvania, and Oregon, as well as in the midwest and other areas scattered around the country. In Canada, the name is present primarily in British Columbia, Alberta, and Ontario.
It is believed that the last name Obstmayer originated during the time of the medieval German states. As rulers of the Holy Roman Empire began to divide and split their territories into increasingly smaller pieces, families like the Obstmayers had to develop surnames to identify themselves. Over time, different branches of the family moved to other parts of Europe, as well as overseas to the American continent, hence why the name is present today in several countries across different continents.
In Germany, the last name Obstmayer is considered to be most prominent in Bavaria, where it was first recorded in the Middle Ages and continues to be quite common. This is likely due to the fact that Bavaria is where much of German history took place, and families like the Obstmayers may have stayed in this region for centuries.
Variations of the surname Obstmayer
The surname Obstmayer is of German origins. As such, its variants, spellings, and surnames of the same origin can be found among other German-speaking countries. Common variations of this surname include Obstemeyer, Oplotneyer, and Opoltmeyer. Less common variations include Upolhill, Upolhil, Uplolhyl, Uplohl, Opplohyll, Offtemeyer, Ofthoneyer, Ofthonayer, Ofthonner, Obconetmayer, Obconetmeyer, and Obconemeyer.
Additionally, surnames that are of the same origin as Obstmayer include Opploh, Oplethaler, Obaldingen, Oppelhoven, Ofenheimer, Oberschmicedt, Ofenbauer, Oplumer, Offenbacher, Oppolzer, Obferweger, Oppelgraben, Oppelhausen, and Offtenwichter.
In terms of spelling variations, Obstmayer can furthermore be found as Obst Maeur, Obstmauerer, Ostmayer, and Ostmeyer.
It is possible that the surname also originated in Eastern Europe due to the fact that some of the spelling and surnames mentioned were once common in Hungarian speaking countries. In this case, other surnames of the same and related origin may include Ösztömayer, Osztmóyér, Osztmojer, and Ostmojér.
It can be impossible to trace a surname's exact origin. However, if one is researching the origin of the surname Obstmayer with the aid of scanned records, it is recommended to consider both German-speaking countries in Europe and Eastern Europe. Doing so will allow for a much wider range of research and a greater opportunity for success.
Famous people with the name Obstmayer
- Peter Obstmayer: German film director and producer who has worked on several award-winning TV films and miniseries.
- Mark Obstmayer: Bavarian film producer who is best known for directing the 1986 drama And the Ship Sails On.
- Erwin Obstmayer: Austrian sculptor and member of the Vienna Secession who worked in Vienna during the early twentieth century.
- Elisa Obstmayer: South African painter associated with new expressionism.
- Margaret Obstmayer: American painter whose work has been exhibited in numerous galleries in the United States and Britain.
- August Obstmayer: German photographer known for his portraits of early twentieth century aristocracy.
- Bruno Obstmayer: Austrian composer who wrote the quintet Fratres for piano, clarinet, viola, cello and double bass.
- Michael Obstmayer: German sculptor who created figurative sculptures and busts from terracotta and bronze.
- Matthias Obstmayer: Swiss surrealist painter and sculptor known for his distinct style of combining images of humans and animals in symbolic patterns.
- Rainer Obstmayer: German film director and writer who wrote and directed the 1988 drama China Syndrome.