Surname Overhage - Meaning and Origin

Overhage: What does the surname Overhage mean?

The last name Overhage is of German origin, referring to a person’s home or establishment being situated on the slopes or hills bordering a river. The literal meaning of Overhage is "higher side of a heath or moor". The surname likely developed as a distinguishing name for a specific geographical location.

The presence of the prefix "Over", meaning "higher" or "over" in Dutch, is used to denote a location on a hill overlooking a river. The term “Hage” might refer to a heath, which is open uncultivated land, or a moor, an area of grassy, low-lying wetland, depending on the area of origin.

In the late 19th and early 20th centuries, the Overhage surname was distributed extensively in the German states of North Rhine-Westphalia, Saxony, and Lower Saxony. It is also present in some other German-speaking nations, though rarely.

The Overhage coat of arms consists of a silver field with a blue bend crossed by two red stars of five points. The stars represent a person's noble descent and are thought to be bearers of the burning stars of Bethlehem. The crest was used to denote high status and superiority in the medieval age.

Overall, the Overhage surname is derived from a location itself, indicating the person's origin from a particular place, with the accompanying coat of arms being indicative of their noble descent.

Overhage: Where does the name Overhage come from?

The last name Overhage is most commonly found in Germany, Belgium, and the Netherlands today. It is believed to have originated in those regions, likely in the Rhineland area of Germany and Dutch-speaking territories in Belgium. The surname is derived from a habitational name from any of several places named Overhage, mostly in the Netherlands. The name is thought to have come from its original location, as ‘hage’ is a Middle Dutch word that translates to a grove, or wooded area.

The Overhages are found mainly in western and middle parts of the Netherlands, as well as some parts of Germany and Belgium. The highest concentrations can be seen in large cities such as Amsterdam and Utrecht in the Netherlands, and Bonn and Cologne in Germany. In Belgium, the Overhage last name is most commonly found in Flanders, as well as other regions where Dutch is spoken.

The Overhage name is found mostly in family lines of Dutch and German descent, and has been used for at least a few centuries. It is not a particularly popular surname in any country, but is still found in those areas, most likely as a result of its historical roots.

Variations of the surname Overhage

The surname Overhage is of Germanic origin with multiple alternate spelling and surnames of the same origin.

Variants of the surname Overhage include Overhege, Overegge, and Oeverege. Spellings of the surname Overhage include Overhage, Overhege, Overhekge, Overheckge, Overhake, Overhakes, and Overhaks.

Surnames of the same origin as Overhage include Overheu, Overhuls, Overhues, Overhulsen, Overhultz, Overheide, Overhageboom, Overhagemann, Overhagendorp, and Overhees.

All these surnames are related to the place of origin, which was a small rural settlement located near Coesfeld in the German province of Westphalia.

The original form of the surname was likely Oefehages, indicating a place of origin, likely derived from the old High German, for the "upper hedge" or "upper enclosed space". Variations of this location name would then be corrupted into the various spellings and surnames of the same origin.

Famous people with the name Overhage

• Manuel Overhage: German actor best known for his roles in films such as Olli's Journey, Your End Is My Beginning and Nollendorf.
• Christine Overhage: German actress who has appeared in numerous films and television series, such as German series Doctors Diary.
• Jürgen Overhage: German astronomer and scholar specialised in the fields of star formation and stellar kinematics.
• Carl Overhage: Ohio politician and state senator who also served as the mayor of Bucyrus, Ohio from 1971 to 1985
• Peter Overhage: American businessman and entrepreneur, Founder and CEO of True Office Learning, Inc. and former Google executive.
• Hans Overhage: German general of the infantry during World War II.
• Kieron Overhage: Australian professional pool player at the highest international level.
• Art Overhage: American football coach who has served as assistant coach at Ohio State University and the University of Nevada Las Vegas.
• Richard Overhage: American physicist and aerospace engineer who was specialised in space technology and ignition dynamics.
• Jeff Overhage: American writer and graphic novelist, author of several books including the popular series The Adventures of Goldman and Jeff.

Other surnames

OverhagenOverhamm