Surname Overhagen - Meaning and Origin

Overhagen: What does the surname Overhagen mean?

The last name Overhagen is of German origin. The name is derived from the words "oven" and "hegen," which means to protect or to foster. Therefore, Overhagen is a toponymic surname and translates to "someone who was from or lived near an oven (or kiln)."

The surname Overhagen is not particularly common, but is still found throughout Germany, the United States, and other countries with German roots.

In Germany, the surname is primarily located in the southwestern region of the country. This is due to the fact that this region was part of the Holy Roman Empire and had many Germanic settlers.

In the U.S., Overhagen is most common in Pennsylvania, Wisconsin, and California. This is believed to be due to German immigrants who arrived in America during the mid-1800s with the goal of starting fresh and searching for new land opportunities.

Today, the name Overhagen is a reminder of the strong Germanic heritage that has passed down from generation to generation. It is an important part of one’s ancestral history and should be celebrated and remembered.

Overhagen: Where does the name Overhagen come from?

The last name Overhagen is most commonly found in Germany today. According to familysearch.org, the majority of Overhagen households are located in the states of North Rhine-Westphalia and Lower Saxony. This is likely due to the fact that the city of Overhagen is located in the Münsterland region of Germany in North Rhine-Westphalia. The family name is relatively uncommon outside of these regions within Germany, but is still found in France, the Netherlands, and Switzerland as well.

Due to immigration from Germany, the last name Overhagen is also found in the United States and Canada. United States Census records from 1880 record several Overhagen families in the states of Illinois, Wisconsin, Kansas, and Missouri. Canadian immigration records show that over a dozen households recorded the last name Overhagen between the years of 1890 and 1920.

The name Overhagen is believed to have been derived from a location in Münsterland, Germany, where the original settlements of the surname were formed. Throughout the centuries, Overhagen families would move from the Münsterland region to other parts of Germany, as well as to other foreign countries. This pattern of migration likely accounts for why the last name is still common today in Germany, as well as in surrounding countries and regions.

Variations of the surname Overhagen

The surname Overhagen is an ancient Germanic title that dates back to the Middle Ages. It is derived from the High German words "over" meaning "at/above/over" and “hagen” meaning "hedge, fence or enclosure". Over the centuries, the surname has evolved and has many alternate spellings and variants.

Most common variants of Overhagen include: Overhegen, Oberhegen, Oberhagen, Oeverhagen, Oefershagen, Upenhem, Opländ, Ufendahl, Ofendahl, Ufendehl, Ofendehl, Oefemehl, Oeffeneml, Oeffmahl, and Obenem.

Furthermore, several surnames related to Overhagen exist, such as Overbeck, Overhauser, Overhue, Overholt, Overkott, Overmyer, Overmeister, Overpeck, Hauch, Hagenbach, Hofmeister, Habermann, and Homburg.

Most of the Overhagen variants and related surnames can be found in the Netherlands, Germany, Austria, and Switzerland regions. However, Overhagen is a common surname throughout Europe and more specifically in Netherlands, Germany, United States, Norway, and Denmark.

Overall, the Overhagen surname is associated with a host of variants and related surnames, which has allowed members of this ancient family to retain the use of their original surname throughout the centuries.

Famous people with the name Overhagen

• Fred Overhagen: German musical arranger, composer, and sound designer
• Teri Overhagen: author, speaker, and activist
• Susan Overhagen: American artist and sculptor
• Jendrik Overhagen: German comedian and actor
• Don Overhagen: American baseball player
• Karina Overhagen: German professional figure skater
• Ryan Overhagen: American child actor
• Mike Overhagen: Canadian ice hockey player
• Elise Overhagen: American athlete
• Martha Overhagen: German painter and sculpture

Other surnames

Overhage