Surname Ostertak - Meaning and Origin
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Ostertak: What does the surname Ostertak mean?
The last name Ostertak is German in origin and is derived from the words “oster” meaning east and “tak” meaning a top or a hill. The name often refers to a person from the city of Osterdak or a person who has moved away from their original home and settled in the east. The surname is often found in northern Germany, especially in the state of Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, and is fairly common in the area.
The earliest recorded version of the name Ostertak can be found in a tax register in Hamburg, Germany dated 1639 which records a family of the same name. This suggests that the Ostertak family has been in existence since at least the mid-17th century. The name is also listed in various German church records, indicating that the Ostertak family were well established in Germany at the time.
The meaning of the name Ostertak is one of a traveler or a person of adventure; someone who is brave enough to go and explore the unknown. It may also refer to a person's ancestral homeland, the lost family lands or the original place they left. It is an apt depiction of the Ostertak family's intrepid spirit and their nomadic roots.
Order DNA origin analysisOstertak: Where does the name Ostertak come from?
The last name Ostertak is most commonly found in East Central Europe, specifically the countries of Slovenia, Germany, and Austria. According to records from the data research firm Forebears, in 2020 the name Ostertak was most prevalent in the United States, with nearly 7,000 people worldwide bearing that name (or its variants).
Ostertak is believed to be derived from the German word "Oster," meaning "easter." This implies that the family surname likely originated in the German-speaking parts of Central Europe when Easter was a widely celebrated event.
In the United States, the name Ostertak has been part of the American landscape for well over a hundred years, as records in the 1900 U.S. Census show that it had already spread westward to many corners of the nation. This was likely due to immigrants from Austria or Germany arriving in the late-19th to early-20th centuries, bringing the surname with them as they set up new lives in the United States.
Today, the name Ostertak can still be found in the United States. In modern times, the surname has spread into Canada, as well as other nations in South America and Europe, indicating that the families bearing that name have long since left their German-speaking roots behind and continue to live and thrive in many parts of the world.
Variations of the surname Ostertak
The surname Ostertak is derived from the Dutch words “oster” meaning “east” and “tak” meaning “branch”, and it can be found in countries with Dutch-speaking populations such as the Netherlands, Belgium, and the former Dutch colonies such as Indonesia and Suriname.
Variants of this surname include Ostertag, Oostertak, Eastertak, Oestertak, Oestertak, Osteraak, and Estertak. All of these variants have the same spelling, but they are pronounced differently in different countries, such as with a long “a” sound in the Netherlands but a short “a” sound in Belgium.
In addition to the variants mentioned above, there are several surnames that have a similar etymology and pronunciation, but have slightly different spellings. These include O Today, Oostendorp, Oosterveen, Ostels, Oosthout, Oosting, and Ostkamp.
Some other surnames that are related to the same origin are Osterink, Ostburg, Ostator, Ostbrook, Ostwalt, and Osthaus. These surnames all have the same meaning and pronunciation but have different spellings.
Finally, some surnames that have a similar origin but are not related to the Ostertak surname are Osterbach, Osterdorf, Ostentor, Osterhoff, Osthoff, and Ostmeijer.
In conclusion, the Ostertak surname has many variants, spellings, and related surnames. The most common variants of this surname are Ostertag, Oostertak, Eastertak, Oestertak, Oestertak, Osteraak, and Estertak. Other related surnames include O Today, Oostendorp, Oosterveen, Ostels, Oosthout, Oosting, and Ostkamp.
Famous people with the name Ostertak
- Jake Ostertak: Project Manager for Gensler, a design and architecture firm.
- Phil Ostertak: Former professional hockey player who played in the National Hockey League (NHL).
- Ted Ostertag: Retired American basketball player who last played for the San Antonio Spurs.
- Elizabeth Ostertag: Author of the novel "The Blessed."
- Cody Ostertak: Professional Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) fighter who has competed in the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC).
- Jeff Ostertag: Professional basketball player who last played for the California Bears in the NBA Development League.
- Shawn Ostertag: Professional golf instructor and former NHL player.
- George Ostertak: Former Major League Baseball (MLB) player who played for the Chicago Cubs in the early 1950s.
- Jim Ostertag: Former professional basketball player who most notably played for the Utah Jazz.
- Ryan Ostertag: Professional golfer who was part of the 2001 Walker Cup team and has made multiple cuts on the PGA Tour.