Surname Osterloh - Meaning and Origin
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Osterloh: What does the surname Osterloh mean?
The last name Osterloh is of German origin and is derived from a combination of the two German words “oster,” which translates to “east” and “loh,” which translates to “meadow.” It is believed to be an occupational name, describing individuals who owned land that was located in the east of Germany.
Originally, the name was common in the regions of Brandenburg and Pomerania, which were both located east of Berlin in the 18th century. During this time, people who had the surname Osterloh would have likely worked on the eastern meadows as farmers or shepherds.
Today, the surname is still relatively common in Germany. According to the German telephone directory, there are approximately 23,000 people throughout the world who have the surname Osterloh. It is spread out between several countries, including Germany, the United States, Canada, Australia, and the United Kingdom.
The Osterloh surname is also associated with a significant number of famous individuals. For example, the German mathematician, Gottfried Osterloh, was instrumental in the development of algebraic geometry in the mid-19th century. Additionally, Wilhelm Marx, who served as the German chancellor from 1925-1928 and again in 1930, had the surname Osterloh.
The name Osterloh continues to live today as an indicator of a rich, multi-faceted history. Its continued existence speaks to the many individuals who have lived, worked, and served in the name of this surname.
Order DNA origin analysisOsterloh: Where does the name Osterloh come from?
The last name Osterloh is most commonly found in Europe, especially in German-speaking countries. It is particularly popular in Germany, where it originated. It is also found in Poland, Austria, the Czech Republic and other German-speaking nations.
The origin of Osterloh is thought to be derived from the German language, and it is likely that the first bearers of the name were originally from the cities or towns called Osterloh. This name refers to an area of land, and it is thought to have come from the old German word 'oster', meaning “east” and 'loh', meaning “forest”. Therefore, the name Osterloh is thought to mean something along the lines of “east forest”.
The spelling of the name can also vary slightly depending on the region and country it is used in. For example, the last name Osterlo can be found in Germany, while Otserloh is more common in Austria.
Today, the Osterloh surname is most common in German-speaking countries as well as in the United States. The name has been carried over to Australia, Canada, and the United Kingdom as well through generations of German migration.
Variations of the surname Osterloh
The surname Osterloh is an Anglicized version of the German word Ostreloh, which is derived from the town of Ostreloh, Lower Saxony. This name is primarily found in north to central Germany, and is most common in the area of Lower Saxony.
Variants of Osterloh include Oesterloh, Ostreloh, Osterleck, Osterloch, Osterluch, Osterluh, Osterluw and Osterlüh. The surnames Usterluh, Usterloh, Usterluch and Usterloche arespelling variations of Osterloh.
The surnames Ostrich, Osterby and Osterkamp are derived from variants of the Osterloh name, and the Swedish variation is Österlöv. These surnames can also be derived from placenames like Ostrelo or an occupational name that denoted a person who was an astrologer or astronomer.
The surname Osterholt or Osterholz can also be a derivative of Osterloh, and can be a variation of Ostholt, which typically refers to a person from an eastern wood or clearing. It was most likely used as a toponymic surname given to individuals who lived in the woods of eastern Germany.
The surname Osthaus is sometimes rendered as Osterhaus, with both derived from the Middle High German osterhus, which means 'eastern house'. Those with this surname likely derived their name from someone living east of a particular location, but may also be derived from the town of Osthusen.
In some cases, Osterloh can be considered a diminutive variant of any of the given names ending in -fried. This could also be a patronymic name derived from the given names beginning with Ost- such as Oste, Oster, Osterman or Ostermeier.
No matter the origin, the surname Osterloh is a unique instance with numerous variations and spellings. It marks an interesting and diverse background for those who bear it.
Famous people with the name Osterloh
- Fabian Osterloh: Award winning co-founder of Plussin, a health app for diabetics.
- Walter Osterloh: German football player, formerly on the Bayern Munich club.
- Denise Osterloh: American actress, best known for her role in “The West Wing”.
- Axel Osterloh: German professor of economics at the University of Gottingen.
- Christian Osterloh: German entrepreneur and chairman of the association Internationaler Dialog.
- Klaus Osterloh: German professor of medicine at the University of Hamburg-Eppendorf.
- Jan Osterloh: Olympic swimmer from Germany, famously competed at the 2000 Sydney Olympic games.
- Konstantin Osterloh: German television personality and comedian.
- Frederic Osterloh: Soccer player from Germany, currently playing for the Greuther Fürth team.
- Sandy Osterloh: American filmmaker, known for her documentary film about the history and culture of Cuba.