Surname Osterrieth - Meaning and Origin
all surnames with 'O'
Osterrieth: What does the surname Osterrieth mean?
The surname Osterrieth is of Germanic origin and is derived from the Old High German words "Ost" or "Ostro" meaning "east" and "Rîthi" meaning "rule". It is most commonly found in southern Germany and Austria. Osterrieth is a habitational name derived from any of several places in southwestern Germany that are named with these elements, such as Osterried in Bavaria. In some cases, the name may be a combination of the names of two distinct places, such as Osnabrück and Ravensbrück.
The Osterrieth surname is also found in many other countries, particularly in the United States. Immigrants bearing the surname arrived in America from Germany in the 19th and early 20th centuries. It is also common in Switzerland, the Netherlands, and Scandinavia.
The Osterrieth surname derives from a person who lived either in an area that was ruled by an eastward-facing regent or the ruler of an eastward-facing region. It was also a descriptive reference to those who resided in the region from which the surname originated.
Today, the Osterrieth surname is found throughout the world with individuals of multiple backgrounds and cultures bearing the name. Whether it originated in Germany or another country, the name is associated with a long history of hard work, dedication, and perseverance.
Order DNA origin analysisOsterrieth: Where does the name Osterrieth come from?
The last name Osterrieth is most commonly found in Germany and the countries that were formed from former German provinces. The German spelling of the surname is Osterreith, and today it is most commonly found in Germany, Austria, Switzerland and the Netherlands.
The name is derived from German words meaning "easter rye" and likely referred to people who lived near fields of sown rye at the time of the Easter holiday. According to the park Genealogical Database, Osterrieth is the earliest recorded version of the name appearing in Bavaria in the 16th century.
Those in Germany bearing this surname today are likely descended from the earliest recorded individuals, and the surname was kept alive by immigrants to other European countries. For instance, an Osterrieth family immigrated to South Africa in the late 19th century, and some members of the family have since moved to Canada and the United States.
Interestingly, an unrelated American family took the name Osterrieth in the early 19th century after a misunderstanding of the name of their hometown during the U.S. Census. Both branches of the family kept the surname, with most of those in America today living in Texas and Oklahoma.
Variations of the surname Osterrieth
The surname Osterrieth can have a number of different variants, spellings, and surnames with the same origins. Common alternatives to the spelling of the surname include 'Osterrath', 'Orosztathe', 'Osterreith', and 'Ostereth'. The variants of the name can be traced back to the Middle High German spelling of 'Osterrēde', meaning Easter Ride or Easter Journey.
Some other surnames which may have connections to the Osterrieth origin or that may have developed from the name include Osterridge, Ostereide, Osterried, Osterritsch, Osterrith, Orstricthe, and Ostridge. These names most likely have their roots in Middle High German as well, though the exact meanings are not always specified.
Some surnames may also be linked to the Osterrieth surname, but are more likely derived from other countries or areas. Names such as Ostarriche, Ostrerriche, Ostra, Osterreh, Ostrega, Ostrerraghi, Starre, Strang, and Struthers may all have been based on Osterrieth, though it is difficult to determine the exact origin of these variants.
Finally, there may also be surnames derived from Osterrieth in other languages. Names such as Dynerrath, Ostrowski, Ostrovsky, Osterwitz, Ostrá, Ostreh, Ozeryev, and Okroshidze may all be derivatives of the name. It is likely that these spellings began to change as the name migrated to other countries.
Famous people with the name Osterrieth
- Hermann Osterrieth: This German psychiatrist was an influential figure in the development of medical psychology, particularly in the area of mental assessment.
- Wilco Osterrieth: Wilco is an internationally known business leader in the field of legal, advocacy, and leadership.
- Ray Osterrieth: Ray is a renowned engineer, inventor, and entrepreneur who has developed several patents for cutting-edge medical and technological inventions.
- Paul Osterrieth: Paul is a Swiss comedian, writer, and filmmaker known for his satirical and absurdist comedy.
- Carl Osterrieth: Carl is a British physicist and former professor of Theoretical Physics at Imperial College, London.
- Peter Osterrieth: Peter is an internationally known figure in the field of economics and development. He has served as a professor at Princeton University and advisor to the United Nations.
- Gunter Osterrieth: Gunter is a classical music composer and professional violinist who has composed for international orchestras and performers.
- Arno Osterrieth: Arno is a German lawyer and legal scholar specializing in international law. He is the professor of Public International Law at the University of Freiburg.
- Hugo Osterrieth: Hugo is a renowned photographer and cinematographer, most notable for his documentary films.
- Klaus Osterrieth: Professor Klaus is a conservation biologist and a well-known researcher at Stanford university’s Institute for the Environment. He specializes in the study of animals and plants, and their habitats.