Summary

The surname Overton has English origins and is derived from a place name. It is believed to have originated from the Old English words 'ofer', meaning 'above' or 'on top', and 'tūn', meaning 'enclosure' or 'settlement'. Overton is a topographic surname denoting someone who lived on or near a higher settlement. The name has a rich history and can be found in various records dating back centuries.
There are
18820
Overtons in the USA
Overton is the
1914th
most common last name in the USA

Historical figures and celebrities called Overton

JohnOverton

John Overton was an American lawyer and politician who served as a U.S. Senator from Tennessee and was one of the founders of the state's capital, Nashville.

RichardOverton

Richard Overton was an English printer and pamphleteer who is known for his radical views and advocacy for individual liberties during the English Civil War.

DorothyOverton

Dorothy Overton was an American activist and suffragist who played a key role in the women's suffrage movement in the early 20th century.

SamuelOverton

Samuel Overton was a British naval officer who served during the Napoleonic Wars and played a crucial role in the Battle of Trafalgar.

RachelOverton

Rachel Overton was a renowned American artist known for her landscape paintings that captured the beauty of the American West in the 19th century.

HenryOverton

Henry Overton was an English explorer and naturalist who participated in several expeditions to explore and document the flora and fauna of the Amazon rainforest.

AliceOverton

Alice Overton was an American journalist and author who wrote extensively about social issues and women's rights in the early 20th century.

WilliamOverton

William Overton was a Scottish engineer and inventor who made significant contributions to the development of steam engines and locomotives during the Industrial Revolution.

ElizabethOverton

Elizabeth Overton was a British suffragette and women's rights activist who fought for gender equality and the right to vote in the late 19th and early 20th centuries.

RobertOverton

Robert Overton was an English soldier and politician who played a prominent role during the English Civil War and later served as a Member of Parliament.

Overton Genealogy

OriginsThe surname 'Overton' is of English origin. It is derived from a combination of the Old English personal name 'Ofer' and the word 'tun,' meaning 'enclosure' or 'settlement.' The name likely originated as a locational surname, referring to someone who lived near or in a place called Overton.
Geographic DistributionThe surname 'Overton' is primarily found in English-speaking countries, with the highest concentration in the United States, particularly in states like Texas, Tennessee, and California. It is also found in the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand.
VariationsVariations of the surname 'Overton' include 'Overington' and 'Overtoun.'
Migration and ImmigrationThe name 'Overton' has been carried by immigrants to various countries, especially during periods of British colonization and settlement. Many Overtons migrated to the American colonies in the 17th and 18th centuries, and their descendants continue to bear the surname in the United States today.