Surname Overlander - Meaning and Origin
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Overlander: What does the surname Overlander mean?
The last name Overlander has Germanic origins, likely deriving from a combination of the words "over" and "land." It denoted a person who lived far away from their ancestral homeland and was likely to have travelled a long distance. This name was initially used for individuals who had travelled from one place to another, for example, merchants, pilgrims, or travelling craftsmen. The most likely explanation is that the Overlander family originated from what was medieval Germany and then migrated to other Northern European countries including Britain and the Netherlands.
In Britain, the Overlanders first began appearing in records in the 1350s when they had settled in East Anglia. In this region, they likely worked as labourers in fields and on farms. Records show that by the 1500s, the Overlanders had spread throughout Britain, with large concentrations found in Yorkshire, Cornwall, and Devon.
It is believed that the name Overlander was later adapted by some English families of similar Germanic heritage. In the 17th and 18th centuries, more Overlander families began appearing in British records once again due to increased migration in the wake of the Protestant Reformation.
Today, the surname Overlander is most commonly found in Northern Europe and North America, with some families having immigrated to the US, Canada, and Australia in the 19th and 20th centuries. The surname is a reminder of the movement of people across the continent over centuries and their ability to adapt and survive in new countries.
Order DNA origin analysisOverlander: Where does the name Overlander come from?
The last name Overlander is originally of German origin and can be found all over the world with the largest concentration is still largely in Germany. Outside of Europe, the last name Overlander is mainly found in the United States; the US Census Bureau found that in 2010, there were at least 1,052 people who held the last name Overlander. There were also a few cases found in Canada and Australia, but it was much rarer.
In the United States, Overlanders have settled in many different states. Large cities like Houston, Texas, Detroit, Michigan, and Los Angeles, California all have significant populations of the Overlander surname. However, the largest numbers of living Overlanders can be found in the smaller, rural town and cities of Ohio, Kentucky, Pennsylvania, Maryland, and West Virginia.
The Overlander surname is still a common name in Germany, though it may have altered over the centuries. In some cases, the name may have been changed to Overlin or even other variants such as Oberlander, Overland, Overlander, or even Overlorin. The surname is still proudly shared today among many families in Germany.
Outside of Germany, the Overlander surname continues to be a popular name among those of German descent around the world, whether it is in the United States, Canada, Australia, or other countries.
Variations of the surname Overlander
The surname Overlander is of Dutch origin and is believed to first have been adopted by a family who lived near or over the land. Variations of the Overlander surname include: Overland, Overlond, Overlund, Overllander, Overander, Overeder, Overhner, Overlinder, and Overlynd.
Overland is a common variant of the Overlander surname, with the “land” spelling indicating the original Dutch origin of the word. In some cases, the original Dutch spelling of Overlond has been anglicised to Overland. Other surnames of Dutch origin derived from the word Overlond include Overlund, Overlinder, and Overlynd.
The suffix -er is sometimes added to the surname Overlander, resulting in variants such as Overlander, Overeder, and Overhner. In other cases, the “Over-” prefix may be dropped, resulting in the surnames Lander and Lond.
Overall, variations and spellings of the Overlander surname of Dutch origin include: Overland, Overlond, Overlund, Overllander, Overander, Overeder, Overhner, Overlinder, Overlynd, Lander, and Lond.
Famous people with the name Overlander
- Alexander Overlander (20th century sportsman who fought in WWI)
- Clinton Overlander (American comic book writer and publisher)
- Hannah Overlander (American graphic designer specialising in type design)
- Andreas Overlander (Norwegian comedian, actor and producer)
- Sean Overlander (American actor and writer best known for his work in the theater)
- Steven Overlander (American rock musician and multi-instrumentalist)
- Carl Overlander (American novelist, journalist and screenwriter)
- Olaf Overlander (19th century Norwegian businessman and politician)
- William Overlander (American actor and director with featured roles in television series and films)
- Henry Overlander (19th century English clergyman and cricketer)
- Cairo Overlander (Canadian visual artist based in Vancouver)
- Anneli Overlander (Swedish business executive and former trade minister)
- Kano Overlander (British activist and political theorist)
- The Overlander Brothers (Indie Pop Band from Melbourne, Australia, made up of brothers Oli and Mike Overlander)