Surname Overbury - Meaning and Origin
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Overbury: What does the surname Overbury mean?
The last name Overbury is of English origin. The name is derived from locations that either had a large number of turrets, or were located near a position with a significant number of turrets. These were small structures, typically ranging from two to four storeys in height, with a cylindrical base, a steep conical roof, and sometimes other decorative features such as battlements or embrasures.
The surname is thought to have originated from a place called "Ouerbury" in Worcestershire. It is thought that the place name derives from a combination of Old English words meaning 'out-stronghold' or 'outer stronghold'. This suggests that the place was a fortification located on the edge of a settlement, such as a castle or manor. It's also possible that the name is derived from a variant of "over burdon" which means 'overbearing'.
The name Overbury is still found in the UK today and is fairly common in the south and east of England. As well as the original meaning, the surname was also used to describe people who moved to an area or used it as a nickname, so it may have evolved to describe different types of people as well as locations.
Regardless of its practical use, the name Overbury carries a great deal of history and is part of a larger cultural tapestry. The people with this unique last name are proud of their roots and no doubt cherish the sense of history and identity that comes with it.
Order DNA origin analysisOverbury: Where does the name Overbury come from?
The last name Overbury is commonly found in the United Kingdom and Ireland. In the UK in particular, the name is most frequently found in the East Midlands and South West regions. According to records, the Overbury family emigrated from Holland to England in the 17th century and began settling in various regions of the UK.
In England, Overbury is found with the greatest frequency in the counties of Dorset, Gloucestershire, and Buckinghamshire, while in Wales the name can be found primarily in Monmouthshire. In Scotland, there are concentrations in Renfrewshire and Lanarkhire and spread across other areas. Overburys can also be found in limited clusters across parts of France, Canada, and Australia.
The most prominent Overbury of the 17th century was Sir Thomas Overbury, a philosopher and the author of the well-known Collection of Emblems. He was a member of the court of James I and was later framed for treason at the court of James’ successor, Charles I. Today, the name remains prominent in parts of the UK, although it is not as widely seen as some other surnames.
Variations of the surname Overbury
Variants, spellings, and surnames of the same origin for the surname Overbury include Overby, Overbey, Overbi, Oberby, Obury, Overberye, Oberbery, Overburye, Oberbry, and Overbry.
Overbury is an English surname of Old Norse origin. The given name of the Overbury family is derived from the Old Norse name, Öfri-berg, which is made up of two elements- the first, Öfri, meaning “upper” and the second, Berg, meaning “hill or mountain”. It became incorporated into the surname by combining the two elements into a single word, Overbury.
Overbury can also be seen as a variant of the habitational surname Oberby, which originated in Britain. Oberby is a topographic name for someone who lived by a mountain or hillside. It is derived from the Old English elements of ofer- meaning “over” or “above”, and beorg, meaning “mountain” or “hill”.
The Overbury family name was first found in Norfolk, a county in east England, where they held a family seat from very ancient times. From there, the surname spread to surrounding areas including Yorkshire, Essex, Lancashire, Derbyshire, and Nottinghamshire.
In the United States, the Overbury surname is most prevalent in the Southwestern states, particularly in Texas, Arizona, California, New Mexico, Nevada and Utah. By the beginning of the 21st century, the population of Overbury families living in the United States had decreased to just over 1,400.
Today, there are numerous variants and spellings of the surname Overbury, ranging from Overby to Overbry. Whether your family name is Overbury, Overby, Oberby or Oberbery, you can be certain that you have roots in the British Isles going back many centuries.
Famous people with the name Overbury
- Thomas Overbury (1581-1613): an English poet and essayist known for his literary works and his involvement in a conspiracy involving his wife, Frances Howard.
- Alexander "Sandy" Overbury (1878–1955): a British author and bookseller regarded as one of the founders of modern Kodak Ltd.
- Benjamin Overbury (1541-1634): a master of Trinity College, Cambridge who became the Vice Chancellor of the University of Cambridge in 1599 and was the founder of the pack in Cambridge.
- Sir Thomas Overbury (1881–1944): the longest serving chairman of the Great Western Railways from 1923-1933.
- William Overbury (1890–1948): an English cricketer who played in two county matches for Lancashire.
- William Overbury (died 1617): a barrister and MP for Worcester from 1597-1601.
- Ken Overbury (born C1923): an English footballer who made 22 appearances for Arsenal in 1946-1949.
- Stephen Overbury (d.1558): a member of the Elizabethan mercantile family who was active in various trading ventures.
- Mary Overbury (fl. 1609–30): an innkeeper in London who took part in a fraud scam with her husband John Overbury.
- Paul Overbury (fl. 1524–1533): an English lawyer and MP for Dover in 1524.