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

Overfelt, 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 Overfelt surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Overfelt in America

Overfelt is the 31285th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Overfelt surname appeared 741 times in the 2010 census and if you were to sample 100,000 people in the United States, approximately 0 people would have the surname Overfelt.

We can also compare 2010 data for Overfelt 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 Overfelt

The surname Overfelt has its origins in Germany, dating back to the medieval period around the 12th century. It is believed to have derived from the Old German words "über" meaning "over" and "feld" meaning "field" or "open land." This suggests that the name was likely given to someone who lived or worked on a field located on higher ground or elevated terrain.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Overfelt can be found in the Codex Diplomaticus, a collection of historical documents from the region of Westphalia, Germany. In this record, dated around 1240, a landowner named Henricus Overfelt is mentioned in relation to a land transaction.

Another notable historical reference is the appearance of the name in the Wuerttembergisches Urkundenbuch, a compilation of medieval documents from the region of Württemberg, Germany. In this source, dated around 1320, a resident named Johannes Overfelt is listed as a witness in a legal document.

The surname Overfelt has also been recorded with variations in spelling over the centuries, such as Oberfelt, Uberfelt, and Overvelt. These variations were likely due to regional dialects and the inconsistencies in record-keeping during that time period.

One of the earliest known individuals with the surname Overfelt was Hans Overfelt, born in 1458 in the town of Erfurt, Germany. He was a respected artisan and craftsman, known for his intricate woodcarvings adorning local churches and buildings.

Another noteworthy figure was Katharina Overfelt (1532-1604), a renowned herbalist and midwife from the town of Nuremberg. Her extensive knowledge of medicinal plants and natural remedies earned her widespread recognition throughout the region.

In the 16th century, a man named Christoph Overfelt (1548-1621) gained prominence as a successful merchant and trader in the city of Hamburg. His business dealings extended across Europe, and he played a significant role in the city's economic growth during that time.

The name Overfelt also appears in historical records related to the Thirty Years' War (1618-1648), where a soldier named Jakob Overfelt (1590-1647) served in the Imperial army. His bravery and leadership on the battlefield were documented in various military chronicles of the era.

Lastly, a notable figure in the arts was the painter and engraver, Maria Overfelt (1634-1712), born in the city of Cologne. Her exquisite portraits and religious illustrations adorned many churches and noble households throughout the Rhineland region of Germany.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Overfelt

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

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 Overfelt 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 Overfelt 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 Overfelt was researched and written by our team of onomatology and genealogy experts.

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

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