First found in Hesse-Nassau, now Wiesbaden, until 1866 a sovereign duchy, is now part of Prussia, where the name emerged in mediaeval times as one of the notable families of the region. From the 13th century the surname was identified with the great social and economic evolution which made this territory a landmark contributor to the development of the nation.

Some of the first settlers of this family name or some of its variants were: Rosina Oberndorff, who was married in Pennsylvania in 1743; Johann Oberndorffer, who settled in Cayenne in 1763; Georg Oberndoerfer, a German mercenary who settled in America after fighting in the Revolutionary War, Isaac Oberndoerfer, who was naturalized in Scott County, Iowa in 1860.

For more information on the last name Oberdorf, the PDF Surname History is available for purchase as well as other products.