Surname Overlaender - Meaning and Origin
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Overlaender: What does the surname Overlaender mean?
The last name Overlaender is of German origin and translates to "man of the land beyond" or "he who comes from overseas." It is a common surname and is primarily found in Germany and Austria. As a habitational surname, it most likely refers to a person who originally lived beyond the border of Germany or Austria, such as in Poland or Hungary, and moved there at some point in history.
The variations of this surname include Överländare, Oberländere, Overlander, and Overlaender. Though some may refer to this surname as a toponymic or patronymic, the form of the surname itself indicates it is a habitational name.
The variations of this surname can be found in several documents and records of individuals from various parts of Europe, spanning centuries of European history. Some documents date back to the 15th century, showing just how far back this surname stretches.
Today, several individuals and families with the surname Overlaender are found in Germany, Austria, the United States, and some other parts of the world. The number of individuals with this surname is increasing as time passes, due to immigration and the dispersal of family members.
Order DNA origin analysisOverlaender: Where does the name Overlaender come from?
The last name Overlaender is commonly found throughout Germany. It is largely concentrated in Hamburg, the second largest city in the country and located in the north. But it does not end there, Overlaender is also quite popular in the Ruhr Valley area, located in North Rhine-Westphalia. Additionally, the name is not exclusive to Germany, as those with the surname Overlaender can be found in countries such as the Netherlands, the United States and Canada.
The origin of the name is Dutch. It is believed to have come from several different root words, such as Overland, which means “above the land” in old Dutch, and Lender, which means “he who is from the country” in the same language.
People with the surname Overlaender have contributed to Germany in a number of ways. Edmund Overlaender, for example, is a prominent German philosopher, and Hans-Dieter Overlaender is a notable German court judge. Additionally, contemporary Germany’s economy and politics are highly influenced by the work of Jürgen Overlaender, Bruno Overlaender and Erich Overlaender.
The surname Overlaender remains an integral part of German culture and heritage to this day, and it is likely to remain so for many generations to come.
Variations of the surname Overlaender
The Overlaender surname originates from Germany and has a number of variants, including Ohlender, Oelender, Oehlender, Ölender, Öhlender, Oehlaender, Öhländer, Appealander, Oehlander, Öhlender, Oehlen, Öhlert, Öhler, Õhler, and Oehlenhoff.
In Germany, the name Ohlender was likely derived from the Low German words, “ohl” and “ent” which mean “similar” and “edge”, respectively, suggesting the name may have referred to someone who lived near the edge of town or near the edge of a forest.
In Austria, the Ölender and Öhlender variations are both derived from the Middle High German, “öhler”, meaning “to be plowed”. Similarly, the Oehlaender variation may have signified one who lived near a plowed field.
The Appealander variant likely originates from the Middle High German words “ap” and “lant” meaning “at” and “land”, respectively, suggesting the name was originally given to men coming from the same area.
The Overlaender surname is also occasionally found as an anglicized version of the Dutch and Low German surname Overlander, which is derived from the elements “over” and “landers” meaning “across” and “land”, suggesting someone of Dutch or German descent who traveled from one land to another.
Other variants can be found across Europe, including Òwler, Oler, Oller, Owler, and Owlet, which are derived from the Old German elements “olt” and “har” meaning “heritage” and “army”, respectively, indicating an ancestor from a military family.
Overall, the surname Overlaender has many variants, spellings, and surnames of similar origin, originating from both German and Dutch sources. Despite their many variations, the name likely refers to ancestors who were travelers, soldiers, or lived in plowed or forested areas.
Famous people with the name Overlaender
- Angelique Overlaender: professional soccer player for the German Women’s National Team.
- Klaus-Dieter Overlaender: Professor of Legal Philosophy at the University of Hohenheim, Germany.
- Erin Overlaender: President of Hard Traveling Media, a company specializing in the audio production of online radio shows, podcasts, and audiobooks.
- Hans-Jürgen Overlaender: German professional soccer player who has played for several clubs across Europe.
- Irmgard Overlaender: celebrated author and poet whose works have appeared in numerous well-known German literary magazines like Conditio Humana, Poetica, and Terzo Mondo.
- Karl-Heinz Overlaender: Sports Organizer and founder of TopSports Marketing GmbH, a German-based sports marketing agency.
- Charles Overlaender: Former professional baseball player for the Kansas City Royals.
- Charlotte Overlaender: Business Network Influencer and founder of an international department store chain.
- Jochen Overlaender: German entrepreneur, and chairman of the board at the 5-Star Accredited Hotel&Restaurant Management Business.
- Maria Overlaender: German specialist at the European Center for Security & Intelligence.