Surname Obermeyer - Meaning and Origin

Obermeyer: What does the surname Obermeyer mean?

The last name Obermeyer is most likely of Germanic origin, with the literal translation of "upper meadow". During the medieval era, the nobility built castles, homes and other properties on the higher elevations of meadows, so the name Obermeyer is a reference to these landowners of higher stature.

Over time, the surname likely spread to France, England, and America. In America, German-speakers commonly anglicized the name to "Uppermyer" with variations, such as Oberemier, Obermeier, Bergermyer, Obermeir, Obermyer and Overmyer.

Today, Obermeyer is a common German surname, and it is also listed as one of the most frequently found surnames in the United States. Obermeyer family members are often known for their business-mindedness and loyalty.

They are proud of their German culture and strive for excellence in all their endeavors. Obermeyer families have had many notable members, from farmers to entrepreneurs to actors. In general, the Obermeyer surname represents a proud family history that values hard work, dedication and leadership.

Obermeyer: Where does the name Obermeyer come from?

The last name Obermeyer is common in the United States today, especially in the Midwest and in Southern states. In the Midwest, the most common states where this last name is found are Ohio, Wisconsin, Illinois, Michigan, Pennsylvania, and Indiana. In the South, the states where the last name Obermeyer is most common are Texas, Florida, Georgia, and North Carolina. It is also found in smaller numbers in some of the southern border states like Arizona and New Mexico.

It is likely that people with the last name Obermeyer are descended from German immigrants. The name Obermeyer may have originated in the Swabian district of Germany, where it was a common surname in the 16th century.

The name Obermeyer is also quite common in Switzerland, especially in the German-speaking cantons. It is the most frequent surname in the Canton of Basel-Country.

Obermeyer is also a common last name in Canada, primarily among people of German or Swiss descent. In France, the last name Obermeyer is common in the Alsace region, where many Swiss and German immigrants settled in the 19th century.

In the United States, the most common spelling of the surname Obermeyer is without the umlaut over the "e" (Obermeyer). Other common variants include Oehmayer, Oehmuer, Oehmmaier, and Oehmeyer.

Variations of the surname Obermeyer

Obermeyer is a German surname derived from the Middle High German words 'obermeie' and 'obermeger', which means 'higher steward' or 'overseer' respectively. It is usually found spelled as Obermayer, Obermaier, Obermeier, Obermeyer or Obermayer.

The variant forms of Obermeyer commonly seen are Otermeyer, Ottermeyer, Otermeijer, Otermayr, Oehtermeyer, Ohermeyer, Oeurmeyer, Ohrmayer, Oehrmayer, Oermayr, Ehrmeyer and Ehrmayer. These all have the same geographical and linguistic origin, and were likely formed in an attempt to conform to various regional spelling conventions.

The variants in other languages include the French Aubertmayer, Ausbertmayer, Obertmeyer, Obbertmayer, Obermayer, Ouebermayer, Ouebermeyer and Ouebermaier; the Dutch Obertmeijer, Obertmayer and Obertmeijer, and the Polish Obermaier, Obermejer or Obermajer.

There are also many variants of the Obermeyer surname that have come about as a result of immigration to other countries over the years. In the United States, common spellings include Ovarmeyer, Obermeir, Obermeier, Abrameier and Abromeyer. Similarly, in the United Kingdom, the surname can be seen in the forms of Obermyer, Obermyre, Auermeyer, Abrameyer, Abwabaramy and Obermiar.

However, no matter how it is spelled, the surname Obermeyer is consistently linked to the same geographical and linguistic origins.

Famous people with the name Obermeyer

• Max Obermeyer: Paralympic Nordic sit skier. Competed in the 2014 Paralympic Winter Games in Sochi and has represented the United States at the World Cup in 2012, 2014, and 2016.
• Dave Obermeyer: renowned Metaldesign artist and founder of Obermeyer Design Studio. His work has been displayed in state and national galleries and is widely acclaimed.
• Peter Obermeyer: award-winning author and essayist whose collection of essays “The Parthenon of Light” won the Pulitzer Prize for Literature in 1981.
• Kami Obermeyer: professional ice dancer who won the US National Championships with partner Brandon Forsyth in 2016.
• Moritz Obermeyer: Austrian alpine skier who won the first ever World Cup Giant Slalom event at the Kitzbühel Ski Event in 1967.
• Ernst Obermeyer: German chemist who invented several new chemical processes, including Fischer–Hoffmann–Obermeyer synthesis.
• Pavel Obermeyer: Czech entrepreneur and venture capitalist. He is the founder of the Obermeyer Capital investment firm and was the President of Microsoft International in 2009.
• Petra Köhle-Obermeyer: German rower who won gold in the women’s pair event at the 1984 Los Angeles Olympic Games.
• Regina Obermeyer: famous German fashion designer known for her eclectic and modern designs. Her designs have been showcased at various fashion weeks in Europe.
• John Obermeyer: American poet and playwright. His work has been widely praised and he has had plays produced in New Orleans, Brooklyn, and London.

Other surnames

Obermeyr