Surname Overbey - Meaning and Origin
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Overbey: What does the surname Overbey mean?
The last name Overbey is believed to be of French origin and is a combination of two words: "au" and "brey" meaning 'at the hill'. It is believed that the name comes from Normandy, France and potentially refers to a family that had property there.
In the Middle Ages, Normandy was a wealthy and powerful part of France, ruling much of the surrounding region. People who lived in these areas were often landowners, so it is believed that the family with the last name Overbey were a family of landowners who sponsored and hosted a hilltop property, and in so doing developed the surname.
Overbey is also largely seen in the United States, particularly in areas with large French-speaking communities such as Louisiana and Canada. However, it is not exclusive to these regions and can be found in other English-speaking countries like Great Britain, Australia, and New Zealand.
Generally, this surname has a positive connotation, often being associated with a noble and respected status. It is a traditional and respected name, a reminder of a family’s origins and can represent a traditional link to a much older past and decade-long history.
Order DNA origin analysisOverbey: Where does the name Overbey come from?
The last name Overbey is most commonly found in the United States today. According to US Census data from 2020, approximately 2,900 people use this surname. The vast majority of these people, around 92%, live in the south. This includes states like Texas, Georgia, North Carolina, and Florida. Some other states where the name Overbey has a significant presence are Arkansas, South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia, and Oklahoma.
The most concentrated area of Overbey surnames is in a small region of southeast Tennessee and northeast Alabama. This area was formerly known as the Cherokee Nation and some Overbey family members claim Native American heritage. Despite this, there are still various branches of the family living in many places around the country who have no known connection to the Cherokee Nation.
In the nineteenth century, records show that some of the Overbey family in the United States moved northward, spreading the name to cities like Detroit, Michigan, Gary, Indiana, and Chicago, Illinois. Based on this data, it appears that the name Overbey has evolved from its initial presence in the south to a broader range throughout the United States.
Variations of the surname Overbey
The surname Overbey is most commonly seen with a single ‘e’ and can be found with the variants Oberby and Overby, though this latter spelling is becoming less common. Spellings of the surname have also been documented as Auberbie, Overbie, Overbuie, Overbiy, Overbyke and Overbye, as well as others spelling variations that share the same root.
The surname Overbey is of English origin and is derived from an Old English nickname, meaning an “over bed” or someone who lived on the upper floor of a dwelling. The ancestral home of the Overbey family can be traced to the county of Cheshire in the western English county of England.
As a patronymic name, meaning it is derived from the name of the father or ancestor, Overbey can also be found as the surname Overbey’s, derived from the first name Overbee, Overby or Oberbee. In addition, variants of the surname Overbey are found in other countries where English immigrants settled, including Scotland, Ireland and Wales.
The Scottish variant of the name can be found as Oberbie, Overend and Overing, while variations found in Wales include Aberby and Overbie. The Irish variation of Overbey is spelled Ovaidh Beatha and the Welsh as Abergwy. Variants can also be found in other counties, such as Germany, with the surname Wellerbeier or Wellerbeyer.
Famous people with the name Overbey
- Tosin Overbey: a Nigerian American musician best known for his experimental style of guitar playing.
- Sam Overbey: a professional skateboarder from Asheville, North Carolina.
- Walter Overbey: the founder and chief executive officer of Overbey Group, an engineering and manufacturing firm.
- Zach Overbey: an American professional hockey player currently playing for the AHL's Grand Rapids Griffins.
- Jimmy Overbey: an American former professional basketball player who played in the NBA from 1944 to 1950.
- Brandon Overbey: an American former professional soccer player who competed in Major League Soccer.
- Chris Overbey: an American professional mixed martial artist who currently competes in the lightweight division of the UFC.
- Jolene Overbey: an American artist best known for her abstract landscape paintings.
- John Overbey: an American film producer and documentary filmmaker who has directed multiple features and documentaries.
- Stewart Overbey: an American recording artist and songwriter best known for his gospel and country music recordings.