This page needs Javascript enabled in order to work properly. Click here for instructions on how to enable it in your browser.
Surname Header Image
Get access to Oberley family records.Start a 14-Day Free Trial

Oberley Family History

Oberley Surname Meaning

Possibly an altered form of German and Swiss German Oberle and Oberli.

German: topographic name from ober ‘up above’ + Middle Low German leie ‘rock stone shale’.

Source: Dictionary of American Family Names 2nd edition, 2022


Similar surnames: 

Search for a relative to learn more about your family history.

Hint: Try searching for a relative alive in 1940.

Where is the Oberley family from?

You can see how Oberley families moved over time by selecting different census years. The Oberley family name was found in the USA, the UK, and Canada between 1840 and 1920. The most Oberley families were found in USA in 1880. In 1891 there were 2 Oberley families living in London. This was 100% of all the recorded Oberley's in United Kingdom. London had the highest population of Oberley families in 1891.
Use census records and voter lists to see where families with the Oberley surname lived. Within census records, you can often find information like name of household members, ages, birthplaces, residences, and occupations.
Mapbox
© Mapbox © OpenStreetMap Improve this map

What did your Oberley ancestors do for a living?

In 1940, Farmer and Housewife were the top reported jobs for men and women in the USA named Oberley. 30% of Oberley men worked as a Farmer and 50% of Oberley women worked as a Housewife. Some less common occupations for Americans named Oberley were Truck Driver and Housekeeper.

View Census Data for Oberley | Data not to scale

*We display top occupations by gender to maintain their historical accuracy during times when men and women often performed different jobs.

United States shown, England data unavailable

Top Male Occupations In 1940

  • Farmer
    30%
  • Mechanic
    10%
  • Laborer
    10%
  • Truck Driver
    10%

Top Female Occupations In 1940

  • Housewife
    50%
  • Stenographer
    25%
  • Housekeeper
    25%

What Oberley family records will you find?

Census Records

There are 1,000 census records available for the last name Oberley. Like a window into their day-to-day life, Oberley census records can tell you where and how your ancestors worked, their level of education, veteran status, and more.

Search UK census records for Oberley

Passenger Lists

There are 72 immigration records available for the last name Oberley. Passenger lists are your ticket to knowing when your ancestors arrived in the UK, and how they made the journey - from the ship name to ports of arrival and departure.

View all Oberley immigration records

Draft Cards

There are 293 military records available for the last name Oberley. For the veterans among your Oberley ancestors, military collections provide insights into where and when they served, and even physical descriptions.

View all Oberley military records

You've only scratched the surface of Oberley family history

Discover More

What is the average Oberley lifespan?

Between 1960 and 2004, in the United States, Oberley life expectancy was at its lowest point in 1985, and highest in 1997. The average life expectancy for Oberley in 1960 was 55, and 64 in 2004.

View Social Security Death Index (SSDI) for Oberley

An unusually short lifespan might indicate that your Oberley ancestors lived in harsh conditions. A short lifespan might also indicate health problems that were once prevalent in your family. The SSDI is a searchable database of more than 70 million names. You can find birthdates, death dates, addresses and more.

Discover the unique achievements of ancestors in the Oberley family tree

Explore Your Tree
Search for another surname
Enter last name/surname
Start a 14-Day Free Trial