Oberstar
A German surname derived from the word "oberster," meaning highest or supreme.
According to the 2010 US Census Bureau surname tables, roughly 240 Americans carry the last name Oberstar. That puts it at #94,730 in the national surname ranking, appearing at a frequency of 0.07 per 100,000 people (about 1 in 1,428,143 residents).
This page is the full Name Census profile for the Oberstar surname. You will find the Census Bureau frequency data, an ancestry and ethnicity breakdown based on self-reported demographics, the name's meaning and origin where available, and answers to the most common questions people ask about this surname.
Bearers in the US
240
1 in 1,428,143
Census rank
#94,730
2010 decennial data
Per 100,000
0.1
Frequency rate
Recorded bearers
193
very rare in the US
Popularity narrative
The Census Bureau recorded 193 bearers of the surname Oberstar in its 2010 decennial surname file. At a rate of 0.07 per 100,000 residents, it holds the 94730th position in the national surname ranking.
Among Census respondents with the surname Oberstar, the largest self-reported group is White at 94.8%. The next largest groups are Two or More Races (3.6%).
Origin
Meaning and origin of Oberstar
The surname Oberstar has its origins in the German language and can be traced back to the late 15th century in the region of Bavaria. The name is derived from the German words "ober" meaning "upper" and "star" meaning "star." It is believed to have originally been a descriptive surname given to someone who lived in an elevated or upper location, perhaps near a prominent star-shaped landmark or fortification.
One of the earliest recorded instances of the Oberstar name appears in the town records of Augsburg, Bavaria, dating back to 1487. The entry refers to a certain Hans Oberstar, a merchant and landowner in the region. In the 16th century, the name can also be found in various legal documents and church records across southern Germany, with variations in spelling such as Oberstarr, Oberstarrer, and Oberstarer.
During the 17th century, the Oberstar name began to spread beyond Bavaria, with some families migrating to other parts of Germany, as well as neighboring countries like Austria and Switzerland. One notable bearer of the name was Johann Oberstar (1623-1698), a respected clockmaker and inventor from the town of Nuremberg, renowned for his intricate and innovative timepiece designs.
In the 18th century, the Oberstar surname appeared in the records of the town of Bamberg, where a family of that name owned a successful brewery. The brewery's founder, Georg Oberstar (1712-1783), was considered a pioneer in the art of brewing and his descendants continued the family business for several generations.
As the 19th century dawned, the name Oberstar began to gain more prominence, with several individuals making their mark in various fields. August Oberstar (1825-1898) was a celebrated architect from Munich, known for his work on several iconic buildings in the city, including the Alte Pinakothek art museum. Another notable figure was Emma Oberstar (1847-1924), a renowned opera singer who performed on stages across Europe during her illustrious career.
In more recent times, one of the most prominent bearers of the Oberstar name was James L. Oberstar (1934-2014), an American politician who served as a member of the United States House of Representatives for Minnesota's 8th congressional district from 1975 to 2011. He was widely respected for his advocacy on transportation and infrastructure issues and played a key role in shaping national policies in these areas.
Demographics
Ancestry and ethnicity for Oberstar
Among Census respondents with the surname Oberstar, the largest self-reported group is White at 94.8%. The next largest groups are Two or More Races (3.6%).
The bar chart below shows how Oberstar bearers described their own race and ethnicity on the 2010 Census form. The Census Bureau groups responses into six broad categories: White, Black or African American, Hispanic or Latino, Asian and Pacific Islander, American Indian and Alaska Native, and Two or More Races. When a category has too few respondents for a given surname, the Bureau suppresses the figure to protect individual privacy, which is why some names show fewer than six slices.
Keep in mind that these are self-reported numbers. A person's surname does not determine their race or ethnicity, and the distribution you see here reflects the specific population who happened to carry the Oberstar surname at the time of the 2010 Census, not any inherent property of the name itself.
- White94.8%
- Two or more races3.6%
Year on year
2010 vs 2010 Census
How has the Oberstar surname changed between Census years? The chart shows bearer count side by side, and the table compares rank, count, and frequency.
Census year comparison
| Metric | 2010 | 2010 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rank | #94,730 | #94,730 | 0.0% |
| Count | 193 | 193 | 0.0% |
| Per 100K | 0.07 | 0.07 | 0.0% |
Between the 2010 and 2010 Census, the number of Oberstar bearers went from 193 to 193 (+0.0% change). The surname held its position in the national ranking, going from #94,730 to #94,730.
Notable bearers
Famous people with the surname Oberstar
FAQ
Oberstar surname: questions and answers
How common is the last name Oberstar?
The surname Oberstar holds position #94,730 in the US Census Bureau's surname ranking, with an estimated 240 living bearers. It occurs at a rate of 0.07 per 100,000 Americans.
What is the ethnic background of the Oberstar surname?
Among Census respondents with the surname Oberstar, the largest self-reported group is White at 94.8%. The next largest groups are Two or More Races (3.6%). These figures come from the 2010 Census Bureau surname tables, based on how respondents described their own race and ethnicity.
Where does this surname data come from?
All surname statistics on Name Census are drawn from the US Census Bureau's decennial surname frequency tables. These tables list every surname that appeared 100 or more times in the 2010 Census, along with a frequency rate and self-reported demographic breakdown. You can read the full explanation on our methodology page.