Surname Ostendorff - Meaning and Origin
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Ostendorff: What does the surname Ostendorff mean?
The last name Ostendorff is a German name that has its origins in Old German language and means a person from a place with an eastern gate. The name itself was derived from a combination of the words ‘Ost’, meaning east; and ‘Dorf’, which translates to village or town. This meaning is likely derived from the fact that a person with the last name Ostendorff may have come from a town or village located east of another landmark.
The earliest records of the Ostendorff name date back to the 11th century in Germany. Initially, the name could be found primarily in northern German-speaking regions, as this is where it was first established. Over time, however, the surname spread to other German-speaking and European countries, and it can now be seen in many places throughout the world.
Today, Ostendorff is a relatively southern German surname and is most commonly seen in Austria, Germany and the surrounding areas. It isn't particularly common, however, as it's estimated that no more than 1,000 people in the world currently share the surname. Regardless, it is a name with a long and proud history that is steeped in German culture and tradition.
Order DNA origin analysisOstendorff: Where does the name Ostendorff come from?
Today, the last name Ostendorff is most commonly found in Germany. Records show that this surname is the most frequently occurring in the German state of Lower Saxony, followed by two other German states - Saxony-Anhalt and North Rhine-Westphalia. The name is also quite common in the Netherlands, where it is known as 'Ostendorp'.
The surname Ostendorff is believed to have descended from the Old German name 'Osturoth', which was a personal name. It is likely that this name was created sometime in the Early Middle Ages, so the exact origins of the name are unknown.
The Ostendorff surname is still quite common in Germany today, with over 540 people currently holding the name, and over 13,500 Ostendorffs recorded in the 2001 German census. In the Netherlands, there are approximately 4,700 Ostendorp's, making it one of the more common surnames in the country.
The Ostendorff surname is also present in other European countries, including France, Italy, Poland and Sweden. It is likewise common in the United States, and many Americans with the last name Ostendorff are of German and Dutch ancestry.
Variations of the surname Ostendorff
The surname Ostendorff is an ancient Germanic surname that originated from the Old German words "Osten" meaning an eastward direction and "Dorf" meaning village or town. This surname is most commonly found in the German-speaking world and has many variant spellings and surnames that come from the same origin. The most common variant spellings are: Austendorf, Ostendorf, Ostendorff, Ostendorf, Ostendorfer, Ostendorfer, Ostenendfer, and Ostenendorfer.
The surnames Oestendorf, Ostendorp, Austendorp, Ostendorp, and Austendorpf can also be derived from the original German surname Ostendorff. These are usually found in the Netherlands. The Dutch words “Oost” and “Dorp” are very similar to “Osten” and “Dorf” in German and are believed to be the same surname, just spelled differently for cultural and linguistic differences.
The surname Ostendorff is sometimes spelled with two “f”s, Oestendorff, and also with two “ff”s, Ostendorff. This is mainly due to spelling and pronunciation differences in different regions.
Variant surnames derived from Ostendorff include Osterhout, Ostendorp, and Osthof. The last two are common Dutch surnames. Osterhout is an Anglicized version of Ostendorf, and is found mainly in New York and other parts of the United States.
The surname Ostendorf is also known to have several nicknames, including Ostie, Ostiejon or Ostijon, and Ostens. Some less common nicknames are Oster, Ostendorn, Austor and Ostes.
The many variant spellings and surnames of Ostendorf all come from the same origin and represent the same ancestral lineage. While they may differ due to cultural and linguistic differences, they still trace their roots to the same family.
Famous people with the name Ostendorff
- Kim Ostendorff: is a German Art Director, Graphic Designer, and Illustrator.
- Erich Ostendorff: a former German football player and manager.
- Christopher Ostendorff: a novelist and journalist living in Berlin.
- Hermann Ostendorff: a German sociologist who wrote widely on the sociology of religion.
- Bernd Ostendorff: a German artist and sculptor living in New York.
- Horst Ostendorff: a German actor best known for his roles in various science fiction movies.
- Christian Ostendorff: a professional tennis player from Germany.
- Sebastian Ostendorff: a German jazz musician and composer.
- Florian Ostendorff: a German muscle car collector and vintner.
- Jeff Ostendorff: an American country music singer and songwriter.
- Stefan Ostendorff: a German film director and producer.
- Paul Ostendorff: a German composer and producer of electronic music.
- Amelie Ostendorff: a German actress known for her work in television and film.
- Jürgen Ostendorff: a German actor and singer-songwriter.