Surname Oßwalt - Meaning and Origin
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Oßwalt: What does the surname Oßwalt mean?
The last name Oßwalt is an occupational surname from Germany, derived from the Middle High German "Oswalte" meaning "leader of a community". This name is indicative of a person who held a position of power or authority, such as a ruler, mayor, or head of a guild.
Various spellings of the surname exist, such as Oschwalt, Oßwald, Oßwalt, Oschwald, and Oßwolt. These can be found all across Germany, with some individuals bearing the surname in other parts of Europe and the United States.
The earliest known records featuring a person with the Oßwalt name dates back to 1261 in Austria. Jacob Oßwaldzee is named in a slip of parchment mentioning his landholdings. The name appears throughout history in records, with Valentin Oßwald documented as a vintner in 16th century Tann, and Friedrich Oßwalt listed as a head of the guild for leather workers in Brombach, Bavaria, in the late 19th century.
Today, the Oßwalt family name is mostly found in Germany. In 2019 there were over 650 people who bore the surname in this country, indicating that it is a relatively uncommon and relatively modern name. Those who bear the surname Oßwalt today are likely descendants of individuals who held a prominent and important role in their community.
Order DNA origin analysisOßwalt: Where does the name Oßwalt come from?
The last name Oßwalt is found mainly in Austria and Germany. It is a popular name in the northern and central parts of Austria, such as Vienna, Upper Austria, Salzburg, Lower Austria, Tyrol, Vorarlberg and Burgenland. It is also popular in the German states of Bavaria, Baden-Württemberg, Hesse and Rhineland-Palatinate.
The surname Oßwalt has origins in the Germanic language, derived from the old German words "oswa" meaning "eagle" and "wald" meaning "rule" or "power". This suggests the Oßwalt family once had connections with the eagle or rulers and had noble or aristocratic status in the old Germanic world.
It can be a difficult name to spell and pronounce, due to the double "s" and umlaut accent marks. Oßwalt is pronounced with a "short o"; the two s's are pronounced normally and the umlaut makes a sort of "screaming E" sound.
Oßwalt may have fallen out of popularity in some areas due to migration or name changes, but it is still historically prominent and remains a prevalent name in Central and Northern Europe, especially in Austria and Germany.
Variations of the surname Oßwalt
The surname Oßwalt is believed to have multiple variants, spellings, and even surnames of the same origin. Some of the most widely used variants of this name include Oschwalt, Oschwald, Oßwaldt, Oßwald, Oswalt, Osvaldo, and Osewalt.
The roots of this surname trace back to the early days of the Germanic tribes, who had a heavy influence on the culture and language of Germany. The surname mostly originated from areas in the south and east of Germany, with the most common form being used in Bavarian areas.
In certain regions, the variants of this surname also have alternate spellings in other languages, such as Osvaldo in Spanish. As a result, its variants can be commonly seen in other countries as well, which is why the surnames Oschwalt and Oswalt can be observed among German-American families.
Apart from the variants mentioned above, there are some similar surnames that may have the same origin as Oßwalt, such as Oswal or Oschwald. These may be spelled differently due to regional variations in language, but all of these surnames share a common German background.
Regardless of the variant, spelling, or surname, the origin of Oßwalt can be traced to the Germanic tribes of ancient times, and those who carry on its legacy can be proud of their ancestors.
Famous people with the name Oßwalt
- Patton Oswalt, an American stand-up comedian, actor, writer, and voice actor.
- Mercedes Ruehl, an American theater, television, and film actor.
- Harry Lennix, an American stage, film and television actor.
- Udo Oßwalt, a German photographer known for his work on post-Vietnam War turmoil in Central and South East Asia.
- Elmar Oßwalt, a German football manager who coached 1. FC Köln in the 1988–89 and 1989–90 seasons.
- Dragon Eye Oßwalt, an American artist and muralist.
- Steve Oßwalt, an American banker and businessman.
- Mark Oßwalt, a professional basebal player in the minor leagues.
- Paul Oßwalt, an American musician best known for his work with the band New Riders of the Purple Sage.
- Brigitte Oßwalt, a German Olympic swimmer who competed in the 1968 Olympic Games.