Surname Osewald - Meaning and Origin

Osewald: What does the surname Osewald mean?

The last name Osewald is of Germanic origin. It is derived from a Germanic personal name composed of two elements: oso, meaning “God”, and walt meaning “power” or “rule”. Therefore, the name Osewald denotes a person of “divine power” or “divine rule”.

The earliest documented example of the Osewald surname dates back to the 15th century when printed records of marriage and naming began to become available. It is most commonly found in the Hessen region of Germany, where it has maintained a significant presence over the years.

The spelling of Osewald has evolved over time, undergoing changes due to both phonetic and cultural shifts. Variations of the surname include Oswald, Oswalt, Osualt, Oswaltz, and Osualtz, among others.

Throughout its history, the Osewald surname has been associated with people of power, particularly political leaders, patriots, and theologians. This association may stem from the meaning of the name, which is directly related to “divine power” or “divine rule”. Today, the Osewald surname is found throughout Europe and even in North America, where it is often embraced as a sign of strength and determination.

Osewald: Where does the name Osewald come from?

The last name Osewald is most commonly found in Germany today. According to the Genealogical Gleanings in England website, the last name Osewald was first documented in 1595 in Northwest Germany. Over the centuries, it has spread to various parts of the country. Today, it is most prevalent in the states of Bavaria, Baden-Württemberg and Saxony-Anhalt, as well as in the southern regions of the state of Berlin. The name appears in 19th century records from numerous towns and cities including Altenmarkt, Bremen, Cologne, Fulda, Leipzig and Munich. In terms of frequency, it currently appears in Germany’s top 100 surnames. Outside of Germany however, the last name appears to be rare. In the United Kingdom, for instance, only a handful of people with the Osewald last name have been found in the records available. In the United States, there are just 71 individuals reported in the US Census, most of whom appear to have immigrated from Germany around the turn of the 20th century.

Variations of the surname Osewald

The surname Osewald is considered to have originated in the areas of Germany, Switzerland, and Austria. It is not thought to have originated as a patronymic name, as many surnames did, but instead it seems to be a variation of the Biblical name Oswald. Spellings of the name may include Osvald, Osevald, Osvaldo, Osevaldo, Osswald, Osewaldo, Osewalt, and Osewald.

Variant forms of the surname include the short forms Osvald and Osswald. Commonly used spelling variations of the surname Osewald include Oswald, Oesterwald, Ostewald, Osewalt, Oslewald, Osewaldo, and Osewaldt. In the United States, the spelling variations Oswalt, Oswold, and Osgood are popular, although Osgood isn't directly related to the original surname and is more strongly associated with English origins. Some of the surnames derived from Osewald include Zaswald, Owsley, and Aleman.

The surname Osewald can also be seen with prefixes such as 'vom' and 'von', which refer to the family's location or origin. Variations with this prefix include Vom Osewald and Von Osewald. Surnames that have derived from Osewald have also been seen with different endings, such as '-er', '-mann', and '-stein'. Examples of these surnames include Oslewarter, Oslewermann, and Oslewstein.

A number of those with the surname Osewald have anglicized their names, leading to spelling variations such as Osborn, Osman, and Osment. This surname can also be seen with stylistic variants, which are versions of the name that are changed for aesthetic appeal. Examples of stylistic variants for this surname include Osvalde, Osswalt, Osvelt, and Oswallt.

Famous people with the name Osewald

• Lee Harvey Oswald: the former United States Marine who assassinated President John F. Kennedy in 1963.
• Robert Osewald: screenwriter and producer best known for the award-winning film, The Revenant.
• Jane Osewald: former writer for The New Yorker and author of the novel, The Glass Castle.
• Leslie Osewald: the architect whose portfolio includes the world-renowned Guggenheim Museum in Bilbao, Spain.
• Franklin Osewald: 20th-century American poet, author, and playwright, whose works often explore themes of social injustice and resistance.
• George Osewald: the renowned classical composer and conductor, most famous for his oratorio, Messiah.
• Bette Osewald: a five-time Emmy Award winning actress, best known for her roles in The Golden Girls and Mama’s Family.
• Betty Osewald: the illustrator and co-creator of the beloved Harper & Row children's series, Little House on the Prairie.
• Harry Osewald: the internet entrepreneur and founder of the website Pinterest.
• Jane Osewald: popular children's book author, whose works include The Chronicles of Narnia and The Golden Compass.

Other surnames

Osewalt