Show ContentsOberly History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

The German surname Oberly is derived from the German words "ober," meaning "upper," or "above," and the word man.

Early Origins of the Oberly family

The surname Oberly was first found in East Prussia, where the name Oberer came from humble beginnings but gained a significant reputation for its contribution to the emerging mediaeval society. It later became more prominent as numerous branches of the same house acquired distant estates, some of which were located in other countries. Through the acquisition of these estates as well as their important contributions to society, the family successfully elevated their social status.

Early History of the Oberly family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Oberly research. Another 106 words (8 lines of text) covering the year 1815 is included under the topic Early Oberly History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Oberly Spelling Variations

Spelling variations of this family name include: Oberer, Ober, Obermann, Obererman, Obermans, Oberers, Obere, Oberman, Oberman and many more.

Early Notables of the Oberly family

More information is included under the topic Early Oberly Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.


United States Oberly migration to the United States +

Some of the first settlers of this family name were:

Oberly Settlers in United States in the 18th Century
  • Michael Oberly, who landed in Pennsylvania in 1761 [1]
  • Adam Oberly, who arrived in Pennsylvania in 1762 [1]
Oberly Settlers in United States in the 19th Century
  • Samuel Oberly, who arrived in Allegany (Allegheny) County, Pennsylvania in 1835 [1]

Contemporary Notables of the name Oberly (post 1700) +

  • Kathryn Anne Oberly (b. 1950), American jurist, Associate Judge of the District of Columbia Court of Appeals (2009-2013)
  • Charles Monroe Oberly III (b. 1946), American attorney in Delaware, United States Attorney for the District of Delaware (2010-2017), 41st Attorney General of Delaware from 1983 to 1995


  1. Filby, P. William, Meyer, Mary K., Passenger and immigration lists index : a guide to published arrival records of about 500,000 passengers who came to the United States and Canada in the seventeenth, eighteenth, and nineteenth centuries. 1982-1985 Cumulated Supplements in Four Volumes Detroit, Mich. : Gale Research Co., 1985, Print (ISBN 0-8103-1795-8)


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