Surname Overholt - Meaning and Origin

Overholt: What does the surname Overholt mean?

The last name Overholt is a German and Dutch surname, derived from the Middle Dutch word “overholt.” This word translates to “upper wood” or “upper forest,” and it is thought to be a reference to the upper parts of woods and forests. The origin of this surname likely refers to the individuals who lived on or near these woods.

Overholt is an occupational name, meaning that people who lived near the upper forests would have acquired it as a professional identifier. This last name would have been particularly popular among people who worked in wooded areas or in logging. By denoting one’s occupation or connection to a certain area, this surname would have enabled individuals to identify and distinguish between themselves and others in their community.

In some instances, this last name may have a religious connotation as well, with some potential root meanings having references to God or the divine. Additionally, the word “holt,” a variation of “held,” might mean “to hold steadfast to a certain belief or idea,” indicating a potential religious purpose for this surname.

Ultimately, the origin of the last name Overholt is still uncertain and likely active debate will go on for years to come. However, its general meaning as an occupational reference has maintained consistency across many cultures. Today, this last name has grown far and wide, with variations such as Overholser and Oberholtzer, among others.

Overholt: Where does the name Overholt come from?

The last name Overholt is relatively common in Germany, as are other variants including Overhalt and Overhult. According to the German phone directory, there are currently more than 1,900 citizens of Germany with some variation of the Overholt name.

Outside of Germany, the spelling of the last name also differs slightly. Overholt is much less common in other countries such as the United States and the United Kingdom. There are only a few hundred people in the US with the name, and the UK has less than a hundred people with the Overholt name.

In the US, Overholt is primarily a Pennsylvania Dutch name, deriving from Germanic and Dutch surnames as recorded in the 1880 census. Overholt is also quite common in Pennsylvania Dutch Country, with well over 1,000 people bearing the name.

The Overholt name is also quite common in Canada, with over 600 people with the Overholt surname living from Nova Scotia to British Columbia. This is partially attributed to the influx of Pennsylvania-German immigrants to the country throughout the 18th and 19th centuries, as many families chose to move en masse from Pennsylvania to Canada for religious and political reasons.

Overall, it appears that the Overholt last name can be found most commonly in Germany, although it is still present in other countries such as Canada, the United States, and the United Kingdom.

Variations of the surname Overholt

The surname Overholt has several variants and alternate spellings as well as related surnames that can trace their origin back to the same root. These variants include Overholser, Uverholt, Offenholt, Ofenholt, Overhold, Offenholder and Upenholt. Overholt is a German surname that is believed to be derived from the Olde German personal name ‘Udo’ or ‘Otto’ combined with the word ‘holt’ which means ‘woods’ or ‘forest’. Therefore, Overholt refers to someone from ‘Udo’s or ‘Otto’s woodlands’.

Related surnames that are believed to trace back to Overholt include Oberholtzer, Oberholzer, Oberhaltzer, Overstreet, Eversole, Everitt, and Upchurch. These surnames all have a similar origin, but the spelling has changed over the years. For example, Oberholtzer is derived from the same root, but the spelling was changed as the name moved through different regions. Overstreet is also derived from Overholt, but it is believed to have been changed when the surname was taken on by English-speaking people.

Overall, the surname Overholt has several variants, alternate spellings, and related names and is believed to have emerged from a German name derived from ‘Udo’ or ‘Otto’ combined with ‘holt’ which means ‘woods’ or ‘forest’. On top of this, related surnames believed to trace back to Overholt include Oberholtzer, Oberholzer, Oberhaltzer, Overstreet, Eversole, Everitt, and Upchurch.

Famous people with the name Overholt

• Garrett Overholt- Former NASCAR driver, sponsor and team owner.
• John Overholt- Early American industrialist and philanthropist.
• George William Overholt- Adventurous naturalist and explorer.
• David Overholt- Former mayor of Harrisburg, Pennsylvania.
• John D. Overholt- Former American professional baseball player.
• Bill Overholt- Professor, China-watcher and former head of the Asia Society Hong Kong Center.
• Morella Overholt- Canadian professional squash player.
• William Overholt- Economists, authority on international economics and professor.
• Ephraim Overholt- Politician in the Province of Ontario.
• Johann Peter Overholt- Early Pennsylvania Mennonite minister.

Other surnames

Overhoff