Surname Overby - Meaning and Origin

Surprising Unfoldings in the Overby lineage: An Illuminating Journey into DNA Ancestry

Unearthing the tapestry of my ancestry through the iGENEA DNA test, I uncovered surprises that shook my perception of my family pedigree. From the unexpected Scandinavian roots to exotic Iberian lineage, the discoveries graced me with a richer understanding of my surname and genetic heritage.

F. Overby

Overby: What does the surname Overby mean?

The last name Overby originates from the Anglo-Saxon culture and is derived from the Old English personal name "Ælfberht", which was formed from the two elements "aelf", meaning "elf", and "berht", here meaning "illustrious".

The original bearer of the Overby surname is Jeoffrey Elfberht (c.1100), who as recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086, was an early Saxon settler of Shropshire.

Overby is principally a topographic or geographical surname, and typically described a person who lived near a hill or stream. The prefix "of" was used to identify the first bearer of the name who could have lived in a place called Overby or Overbury, for example.

The name is also used to describe those who lived at the "overby" cottage or lodgings, i.e. lodgings located at a slightly higher elevation than the main dwelling.

Today, variations of the Overby surname, such as Overy and Overby, can be found in England, the United States, and some other countries.

In short, the surname Overby is derived from Old English roots and describes either someone living in a certain geographical location or someone who lived at a higher elevation from the main dwelling. Variations of the surname can now be found across the world.

Overby: Where does the name Overby come from?

The last name Overby is most commonly found in the United States, as it has its roots in American colonial period. It is believed to have originated from England or possibly from Norway. It is likely a derivative of the Scandinavian surname "Overbye." Today, Overby is most heavily concentrated in the southeastern states of the US, especially Georgia, Mississippi, Alabama, and Tennessee. On the US Census Bureau's American Community Survey, Overby was in the top 1,000 surnames for these states in 2020, indicating it has a comparatively high rate of prevalence there.

Outside of the US, the surname is rarer but still present. In England, Overby has mostly been found in the counties of Essex, Norfolk, Suffolk, and Yorkshire, indicating an overlap of European and American branches of the same family. In Norway, Overby is rare, but spelled "Overbøe."

Overby is not a common name worldwide, but it is one that is highly concentrated in the southeastern United States and parts of England. For many families, Establishing an exact heritage for the name can be challenging, since both English and Scandinavian versions of the name likely influenced each other. Still, for those with an affinity for the name, tracing their family history on either side of the Atlantic can be an adventure worth undertaking.

Variations of the surname Overby

The surname Overby has many variants in spelling and surnames of the same origin. The most common spellings for this surname include Overbey, Overbee, Overtby, and Overbi. Less common forms include Ouerby, Ouerbie, Ouerbee, and Ouerbyght.

A variant of Overby is Upchurch, which can also be spelled as Upchurche and Upcherche. This name is derived from parish or village names of places such as Upchurch in Kent, England. Other variants of Upchurch can also be found in places such as Ireland, Australia, and the United States.

Variants of the surname Overby can also be found in places such as Denmark, Norway, and Sweden. In Denmark, the Overby surname variant is spelled Overbye. The Norwegian variant is Overby, and the Swedish variant is Overyby.

Other surnames of the same origin as Overby include Overly, Overley, Overlie, Overleye, Overlow, and Overy. These can also be found in places such as Scotland, England, Ireland, and the United States. Overlow can be used as both a given name and surname.

Overall, the surname Overby is quite diverse and has many other variants, spellings, and surnames of the same origin. No matter where you travel you are likely to find a variant of Overby sprinkled among the locals.

Famous people with the name Overby

• Sam Overby: Sam Overby is a professional football punter and former player in the National Football League (NFL).
• Christine Overby: Christine Overby is an American singer, songwriter, and entrepreneur best known for her song "Lonely Life".
• Ralph Overby: Ralph Overby is an American Businessman, Founder and President of Overby Petroleum Inc.
• Vance Overby: Vance Overby is an American basketball player who has played for several international teams, most notably the Italy's Top League.
• Jim Overby: Jim Overby is a retired American professional football quarterback and the former head coach and general manager of the Minnesota Vikings of the National Football League.
• Kelley Overby: Kelley Overby is a Canadian entrepreneur best known as the founder of Overby Consulting, a marketing and communications firm.
• Phil Overby: Phil Overby was an American college basketball coach, most notably at North Dakota State University.
• Dee Overby: Dee Overby was an American broadcast journalist and television personality best known for her work as a news anchor for various outlets in the Midwest and Eastern regions of the United States.
• Kay Overby: Kay Overby is a former professional basketball player, who played for the Los Angeles Sparks of the Women's National Basketball Association.
• Josh Overby: Josh Overby is a Northern Irish former professional association football player who played as a winger.

Other surnames

OverbaughOverbayOverbeckOverbeckeOverbeeOverbeekOverbeekeOverbekeOverbergOverbeyOverbury