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 Obenauer family records.Start a 14-Day Free Trial

Obenauer Family History

Obenauer Surname Meaning

German: topographic name for someone who lived by or owned a watery meadow at the upper end of a village or held land there from Middle High German oben ‘up above’.

The name is derived from the combination of two elements: oben, meaning ‘up above’, and ouwe, meaning ‘watery land’.

The suffix -er is also added to indicate an inhabitant.

This etymology reflects the geography and land use of the area.

The name signifies a connection to both the land and the location within the village.

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 Obenauer family from?

You can see how Obenauer families moved over time by selecting different census years. The Obenauer family name was found in the USA between 1880 and 1920. The most Obenauer families were found in USA in 1880. In 1880 there were 18 Obenauer families living in New York. This was about 43% of all the recorded Obenauer's in USA. New York had the highest population of Obenauer families in 1880.
Use census records and voter lists to see where families with the Obenauer 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 Obenauer ancestors do for a living?

In 1940, Farmer and Bookkeeper were the top reported jobs for men and women in the USA named Obenauer. 25% of Obenauer men worked as a Farmer and 43% of Obenauer women worked as a Bookkeeper. Some less common occupations for Americans named Obenauer were Butcher and Teacher.

View Census Data for Obenauer | 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
    25%
  • Laborer
    20%
  • Clerk
    15%
  • Butcher
    10%

Top Female Occupations In 1940

  • Bookkeeper
    43%
  • Saleslady
    29%
  • Teacher
    29%

What Obenauer family records will you find?

Census Records

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

Search UK census records for Obenauer

Passenger Lists

There are 361 immigration records available for the last name Obenauer. 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 Obenauer immigration records

Draft Cards

There are 725 military records available for the last name Obenauer. For the veterans among your Obenauer ancestors, military collections provide insights into where and when they served, and even physical descriptions.

View all Obenauer military records

You've only scratched the surface of Obenauer family history

Discover More

What is the average Obenauer lifespan?

Between 1962 and 2004, in the United States, Obenauer life expectancy was at its lowest point in 1969, and highest in 1970. The average life expectancy for Obenauer in 1962 was 85, and 89 in 2004.

View Social Security Death Index (SSDI) for Obenauer

An unusually short lifespan might indicate that your Obenauer 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 Obenauer family tree

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