Find out how popular the last name Overbay is in the United States and learn more about the meaning, history, and race and ethnic origin of people in America who are named Overbay.

Overbay, like all of the last names we have data for, is identified by the U.S. Census Bureau as a surname which has more than 100 occurrences in the United States in the Decennial Census survey. The most recent statistics we have for the Overbay surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Overbay in America

Overbay is the 17472nd most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Overbay surname appeared 1,613 times in the 2010 census and if you were to sample 100,000 people in the United States, approximately 1 people would have the surname Overbay.

We can also compare 2010 data for Overbay to data from the previous census in 2000. The table below contains all of the statistics for both years in a side-by-side comparison.

The history of the last name Overbay

The surname Overbay originates from England, with its roots traced back to the medieval period, specifically the 12th century. It is believed to be a locational name derived from a place near the village of Tanworth, Warwickshire, which was once known as "Over the Bay." This name likely referred to a topographical feature or a specific location within the area.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the surname Overbay can be found in the Pipe Rolls of Warwickshire, dated 1195, where a certain William de Overbay was mentioned. This historical document provides evidence of the surname's existence during the late 12th century.

In the 13th century, the surname appeared in various records, including the Assize Rolls of Staffordshire from 1279, which referenced a Robert de Overbay. This entry suggests the name's prevalence in the neighboring county of Staffordshire during that time period.

Throughout the centuries, the surname Overbay has undergone various spelling variations, such as Overby, Overbie, and Overbey. These variations were common due to the lack of standardized spelling practices in earlier times, as well as regional dialects and scribal interpretations.

One notable historical figure bearing the surname Overbay was Sir William Overbay, a prominent landowner and military commander who lived during the reign of King Edward III in the 14th century. He is recorded as having participated in several military campaigns, including the Battle of Crécy in 1346.

Another individual of note was John Overbay, a merchant and alderman who lived in the city of London during the 16th century. He is mentioned in the records of the Worshipful Company of Mercers, a prominent livery company in London, as having held significant positions within the organization.

In the 17th century, the surname Overbay can be found in the parish records of various English counties, including Warwickshire, Staffordshire, and Worcestershire, indicating the continued presence of families bearing this name in those regions.

Moving into the 18th century, a notable figure was Thomas Overbay (1698-1782), a prominent clergyman and author who served as the rector of several parishes in Warwickshire. He published several theological works and was known for his scholarly contributions to the Church of England.

During the 19th century, the Overbay surname gained further recognition with the rise of Charles Overbay (1815-1892), a renowned architect and civil engineer. He was responsible for designing several iconic buildings and infrastructure projects in London, including the Hammersmith Bridge and the Holborn Viaduct.

While the surname Overbay has its roots in England, it has since spread to other parts of the world due to migration and immigration. However, its origins and early historical presence can be traced back to the medieval period in the English counties of Warwickshire and Staffordshire, where it emerged as a locational name reflecting the topography of the region.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Overbay

We also have some data on the ancestry of people with the surname Overbay.

The below race categories are the modified race categories used in the Census Bureau's population estimates program. All people were categorized into six mutually exclusive racial and Hispanic origin groups:

1. White only
2. Black only
3. American Indian and Alaskan Native only
4. Asian and Pacific Islander only
5. Hispanic
6. Two or More Races

For the most recent 2010 census data, the race/ethnic origin breakdown for Overbay was:

Note: Any fields showing (S) means the data was suppressed for privacy so that the data does not in any way identify any specific individuals.

Since we have data from the previous census in 2000, we can also compare the values to see how the popularity of Overbay has changed in the 10 years between the two census surveys.

Data source

The last name data and ethnic breakdown of last names is sourced directly from the Decennial Census survey, conducted every 10 years by the United States Census Bureau.

The history and meaning of the name Overbay was researched and written by our team of onomatology and genealogy experts.

If you have a correction or suggestion to improve the history of Overbay, please contact us.

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