The German noun (with the meaning "Stellvertreter" (in English "deputy")) from Middle High German «locum tenens» Platzhalter (in English "place holder") was derived from the French word «Lieutenant» about 1500. In most German-speaking armies it is the lowest officer rank (in German-speaking navies «Leutnant zur See» (English "Lieutenant at sea")). In the German Bundeswehr the ranks "Leutnant" OF1b and "Oberleutnant" OF1a belong to the "Leutnant" rank group. In some other armed forces (such as the former National People's Army) there is the lower grade of Unterleutnant (OR1c).