Surname Oesterling - Meaning and Origin
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Oesterling: What does the surname Oesterling mean?
The last name Oesterling is of German origin. It derives from the Middle High German word “osterling,” which means “easterner.” Originally, the name may have been a descriptor for someone who was born or lived in the east parts of Germany. Alternatively, it could also signify someone who was from eastern Germany, versus a person from western Germany.
Today, Oesterling is a common last name. It is most commonly found in the United States, especially in Pennsylvania and Ohio. It is also in use in parts of Europe, especially Germany.
There can be multiple meanings of the last name Oesterling. It may indicate that the family originated from eastern Germany or that the family has a history of being from an eastern location. Additionally, it may suggest that a family member was from an area of settlement in the east compared to their previous living area. Alternatively, it could refer to a family member from eastern Germany who immigrated somewhere else.
The true meaning of the last name Oesterling is still unclear. It is likely that the meaning is based on the family’s unique and personal journey. While the origin of the name may be vague, it is certain that the Oesterling name is associated with a long and meaningful history.
Order DNA origin analysisOesterling: Where does the name Oesterling come from?
The last name Oesterling is a German and Dutch surname that is most common in Germany today. In 2019, Oesterling was the 2,952 most common last name among the German population, with an estimated 2,406 people named Oesterling living in Germany at that time. It is also common in other German-speaking countries, such as Austria and Switzerland, as well as the Netherlands.
The Oesterling surname is believed to be derived from the German noun “Oesterling”, which translates to “site of an asterisk or starling”. This suggests that the original bearers of the Oesterling surname may have come from a village with an asterisk or starling as its emblem.
In addition to Germany and other German-speaking countries, the Oesterling surname is also found in other countries, such as the United States, Canada, Australia, and the United Kingdom. The Oesterling surname is becoming increasingly common in the United States in particular; in 2019, Oesterling was the 5,182nd most common surname in the country, with an estimated 4,113 people named Oesterling living in the United States.
Variations of the surname Oesterling
The surname Oesterling has a variety of variants, spellings, and surnames of the same origin. These include Ost(e)rling, Oest(e)rling, Oesterling, Österling, Oesterly, Ästerling, Bastling, and also its many diminutives like Est(e)rling, Estling, Ostlein, Oestlein, and Oesterlein.
Germany is the country with the highest concentration of the surname Oesterling. It is estimated that some 16,000 people part of this surname lived in the country in the 19th century, though the number has now decreased sharply due to the two World Wars.
The root of the surname is from the ancient Germanic word 'Ost', which means east. This was likely the reference to a person's origin or occupation. The suffix 'ling' may have been added to indicate a small thing or descendant. Therefore, the surname Oesterling could mean the descendant of someone from the east or someone whose occupation related to the east.
The Oesterling surname is found in many countries such as Austria, Netherlands, Belgium, Switzerland, United Kingdom, United States, Canada, and France.
In some parts of the world, the surname has been simplified or changed in spelling or pronunciation. In United States, some people spell the name Easterling, in Scotland it is seen as Estorling, and in Canada it appears as Ostorling, Oestorling, or Oestorlyn.
Famous people with the name Oesterling
- James Oesterling, former Penn State assistant coach
- Edward Oesterling, American aerospace engineer
- Charles Oesterling, basketball player
- Chester Oesterling, Department of Defense official
- Rebecca Oesterling, wheelchair fencer
- Andrew Oesterling, American football coach
- Robert Oesterling, Northwest America explorer
- Gary Oesterling, politician
- Richard Oesterling, former Ohio state legislator
- Henry Oesterling, editor and publisher