Origin of the Oswald Surname
The Oswald surname is of German origin (German). In the 2010 U.S. Census it ranked #2,530 with 14,322 Americans (4.86 per 100K people).
What the name meant to the first families who bore it — and how Oswald traveled across regions and centuries — is written out in the full Heritage Report.
Quick Facts
| Surname | Oswald |
|---|---|
| Meaning | Full etymology in the Heritage Report |
| Origin | German |
| Language | German |
| US Rank (2010) | #2,530 |
| US Count (2010) | 14,322 |
| Per 100K People | 4.86 |
| First Letter | O |
Ethnic Distribution of Oswald
Among 14,322 Americans named Oswald, the largest self-reported group is White (94.81%).
The full multi-group chart (every percentage, print-ready) is inside the Heritage Report — not repeated here.
Popularity of Oswald Over Time
Between the 2000 and 2010 U.S. Census, the national rank of Oswald moved down. Exact counts for both years — print-ready — are in the Heritage Report.
Where did the Oswald family really come from?
A simple cheek swab reveals your ethnic origins, maps where your Oswald ancestors lived, and connects you with living relatives who share your DNA.
- 🧬 A detailed estimate of your ethnic origins
- 🗺️ See where your Oswald ancestors lived & migrated
- 👪 Get matched with relatives you never knew you had
Trusted by millions who've uncovered their family story
Prefer another lab? 23andMe · MyHeritage
As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases — at no extra cost to you.
The Complete Story of the Oswald Family
What you’ve read above is just the overview. Your full Oswald Heritage Report goes far deeper — and it’s yours to keep, print & share with your family.
- ✓ The true origin & meaning of Oswald
- ✓ The Oswald coat of arms & heraldry
- ✓ Migration journey across the world
- ✓ Where Oswald families live today
- ✓ Notable Oswald bearers in history
- ✓ Name variations & spellings worldwide
- ✓ A step-by-step guide to start tracing your own family tree
🎁 A heritage keepsake to pass down — perfect as a gift.
Get one Oswald fact most families never hear by email — a teaser, not the full etymology (that’s in the report).
Similar Surnames to Oswald
These surnames share similar popularity, spelling, or cultural background with Oswald.
Other German Surnames
Explore more surnames with German roots. There are 162,254 surnames in our database — here are some that share the same German origin as Oswald.
Frequently Asked Questions About Oswald
Top Surnames Starting with O
The most common American surnames that begin with the letter O, ranked by population.
Related Searches
People searching for information about the Oswald surname also look for: