Surname Osterkorn - Meaning and Origin
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Osterkorn: What does the surname Osterkorn mean?
Osterkorn is a German surname, derived from the German words ‘Oster’ (Easter) and ‘Korn’ (grain). It is akin to the English word ‘oak’, meaning a grain or nut-tree, so the name may have originated as an occupational surname for someone who grew or harvested grain or nuts in the season of Easter. Alternatively, it may have been a locational surname derived from a place named Osterkorn, such as a farmstead or village. The name Osterkorn is likely to have stemmed from the German phrase ‘osters-korn’, meaning ‘Easter grain’.
Osterkorn is a common surname throughout Germany, and is also found among German emigrants to the US and other parts of the world. Notable individuals with the surname Osterkorn include Simone Osterkorn, a 19th-century German playwright, and Heinrich Osterkorn, a German chess master.
Order DNA origin analysisOsterkorn: Where does the name Osterkorn come from?
The last name Osterkorn is primarily found today in Germany and many of its surrounding regions, particularly in Central and Northern Europe. In the German language, the name is derived from two words - 'Oster' meaning Easter and 'Korn' meaning a grain or seed.
In Germany, the name is particularly common in the western state of North Rhine-Westphalia, where the name is the 444th most common surname out of all the surnames registered in the state. The same is true in the adjacent state of Rhineland Palatinate and in the states of Saxony-Anhalt and Brandenburg further to the east. Additionally, Osterkorn is a relatively common surname in the southern German state of Baden-Württemberg.
In neighbouring Austria, the name is much less popular, at least in comparison to its status across the border in Germany. Here, the name ranks at 2,937th place in terms of popularity, indicating that the name is not especially common in the country.
Outside of Germany, Osterkorn can be found in many parts of Central and Northern Europe. The Netherlands appears to have the most Osterkorns outside of the German-speaking countries, while the last name has also made its way to the likes of Sweden and Norway. Further to the south, the name can be found in countries such as Croatia and Hungary.
Overall, Osterkorn is a particularly common name in Germany, though it can still be found in many of the surrounding German-speaking countries. Additionally, the surname has made its way to a variety of other places, particularly in parts of Central and Northern Europe.
Variations of the surname Osterkorn
The surname Osterkorn is derived from the Germanic word "oster," meaning "easterner" or "auslander." The original bearer of the surname may have been someone from an East Germanic region. Variants of this name include Oesterkorn, Oesterkohl, Ostergoebel, Osterholz, Ostermann, Osterberg, Osterfeld, Osterhagen, Osterhoff, Osterling, Ostermeier, Ostermeyer, Osterwald, Ostertag, Ostheimer and Osting.
Spellings of the surname may include Osterkorn, Oesterkorn, Oesterkorn, Ostercorn, Oestercorn, Oeastercorn, Oestecorn, Oesterkol, Osterkohl, Oestecohl, Ostergobele, Osterholz, Oesterholz, Oeserholz, Osterman, Oesmoor, Oesterman, Oesterberg, Oesterfeld, Oesterhoff, Oesterling, Oestermeier, Oestermeyer, Oesterwald, Ostertag, Ostheimer and Osting.
Surnames of similar origin include Ostler, Easter, Estes, Easterly, Osterkamp, Ostertag, Easterwood, Eastin, Eastburn, Eastridge, Easterling, Eastgate, Easton, Eastland, Easterbrook and Easterman.
In some cases, two surnames may have different origins but still be pronounced similarly or have similar spellings. For example, the English surname Eastwood and the German surname Osterwood are not related, despite the fact that they have similar spellings and pronunciations.
Famous people with the name Osterkorn
- Heather Osterkorn: Canadian- American singer/songwriter from Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada.
- Thorsten Osterkorn: German football player who presently plays as a midfielder for SV Elversberg.
- Carl Johann Osterkorn: 19th-century American engraver who created artwork for trade cards.
- Fred Osterkorn: physicist and professor at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.
- Margit Osterkorn: Austrian painter from Styria who often uses geometric shapes and colors in her artwork.
- Karl Osterkorn: German artist and gymnast who is renowned for his sculptures in bronze.
- Anna Margaret Osterkorn: American author and illustrator of books for children and young adults.
- Sofia Osterkorn: Austrian politician and lawyer who currently serves as a Member of the National Council for the Social Democratic Party.
- Burton Osterkorn: former CEO of CBS Corporation and chairman of the board of directors.
- Jens Osterkorn: German politician and lawyer who is a member of the Social Democratic Party of Germany.