NameCensus.

UK surname

Over

An occupational surname denoting a person who lived over or beyond a particular landscape feature.

In the 1881 census there were 703 people recorded with the Over surname, ranking it #5,173 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 687, ranked #7,817, down from #5,173 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to Rugby, Mevagissey and London parishes. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Bolsover, Rother and North East Lincolnshire.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Over is 864 in 1911. Compared with 1881, the name has stayed broadly stable by 2.3%.

1881 census count

703

Ranked #5,173

Modern count

687

2016, ranked #7,817

Peak year

1911

864 bearers

Map years

9

1851 to 2016

Key insights

  • Over had 703 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #5,173 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 687 in 2016, ranked #7,817.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 864 in 1911.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Rural Amenity.

Over surname distribution map

The map shows where the Over surname is concentrated in each census or modern distribution year. Darker areas mean a stronger local concentration.

Distribution map

Over surname density by area, 1881 census.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Over over time

The table below tracks recorded surname counts and rank from the 19th-century census years through the modern adult-register period.

Year Period Count Rank
1851 historical 473 #5,259
1861 historical 356 #7,171
1881 historical 703 #5,173
1891 historical 690 #5,677
1901 historical 820 #5,510
1911 historical 864 #5,140
1997 modern 715 #7,136
1998 modern 713 #7,369
1999 modern 697 #7,542
2000 modern 694 #7,540
2001 modern 676 #7,563
2002 modern 684 #7,650
2003 modern 658 #7,764
2004 modern 660 #7,748
2005 modern 664 #7,660
2006 modern 652 #7,782
2007 modern 663 #7,754
2008 modern 659 #7,830
2009 modern 691 #7,717
2010 modern 697 #7,805
2011 modern 686 #7,811
2012 modern 671 #7,869
2013 modern 670 #8,010
2014 modern 672 #8,037
2015 modern 680 #7,893
2016 modern 687 #7,817

Geography

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Where Overs are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around Rugby, Mevagissey, London parishes, Foleshill and Coventry Holy Trinity (incl. Radford), Coventry St Michael, Wyken. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Bolsover, Rother, North East Lincolnshire and Cornwall. Treat these as concentration signals, not proof that every family line began there.

Some modern areas include a three-digit suffix, such as Leeds 110. The suffix is a small-area code, so it stays in the table while the prose uses the plain place name.

Top historical parishes

Rank Parish Area
1 Rugby Warwickshire
2 Mevagissey Cornwall
3 London parishes London 3
4 Foleshill Warwickshire
5 Coventry Holy Trinity (incl. Radford), Coventry St Michael, Wyken Warwickshire

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Bolsover 007 Bolsover
2 Rother 009 Rother
3 North East Lincolnshire 022 North East Lincolnshire
4 Bolsover 006 Bolsover
5 Cornwall 041 Cornwall

Forenames

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First names often paired with Over

These lists show first names that appear often with the Over surname in historical and recent records.

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Over

Modern surname records can be compared with neighbourhood classifications. For Over, this points to the kinds of places where the surname is most concentrated today.

These neighbourhood labels describe areas, not individual people. They are useful because surnames often cluster through family history, migration, housing patterns and local work. A surname can be strongest in one type of neighbourhood even when people with that name live across the country.

The UK classification gives the national picture. The London classification is more specific to the capital, where housing, age profile, tenure and population mix can look quite different from the rest of the UK.

UK neighbourhood type

UK Output Area Classification

Supergroup

Suburbanites and Peri-Urbanities

Group

Rural Amenity

Nationally, the Over surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Rural Amenity, within Suburbanites and Peri-Urbanities. This does not mean every Over household fits that profile, but it gives a useful signal about where the modern surname distribution is strongest.

Read profile summary

Group profile

This Group comprises older parents or retirees, with no resident dependent children, and with the lowest residential densities in this Supergroup. Predominantly UK-born, residents typically live in detached houses, although others do live in semi-detached and terraced properties. The level of multiple car ownership is the highest in this Supergroup. Most houses are owner occupied although social renting is also present. Many concentrations occur in high amenity rural locations, such as Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty.

Wider pattern

Pervasive throughout the UK, members of this Supergroup typically own (or are buying) their detached, semi-detached or terraced homes. They are also typically educated to A Level/Highers or degree level and work in skilled or professional occupations. Typically born in the UK, some families have children, although the median adult age is above 45 and some property has become under-occupied after children have left home. This Supergroup is pervasive not only in suburban locations, but also in neighbourhoods at or beyond the edge of cities that adjoin rural parts of the country.

London neighbourhood type

London Output Area Classification

Supergroup

Social Rented Sector Families with Children

Group

Social Rented Sector Pockets

Within London, Over is most associated with areas classed as Social Rented Sector Pockets, part of Social Rented Sector Families with Children. This gives the surname a London-specific profile rather than forcing the capital into the same pattern as the rest of the country.

Read profile summary

Group profile

Found in pockets across London, residents are less likely to live in private sector rentals and fewer adults are students. Fewer individuals work in transport and communications occupations relative to the Supergroup average. More individuals identify as Black and were born in Africa.

Wider London pattern

Residents of these neighbourhoods include sizable numbers identifying with ethnicities originating outside Europe, particularly in Africa or Bangladesh. The proportion of residents identifying as White, Indian or Pakistani is well below the London average. Neighbourhood age profiles are skewed towards younger adults, and above average numbers of families have children. Rates of use of English at home are below average. Marriage rates are low, and levels of separation or divorce are above average. Housing is predominantly in flats, and renting in the social rented sector the norm - few residents are owner occupiers. Housing is often overcrowded, and neighbourhoods are amongst the most densely populated in London. Disability rates are above average, although levels of unpaid care provision are about average. Employment is in caring, leisure, other service occupations, sales and customer service, or process, plant, and machine operation. Part time working and full-time student study are common. Levels of unemployment are slightly above average. Most residents have only Level 1 or 2 educational qualifications or have completed apprenticeships.

Healthy neighbourhoods

Access to healthy assets and hazards

Over is most concentrated in decile 1 for access to healthy assets and hazards. This places the surname towards the less healthy end of the index.

Lower deciles point towards weaker access to healthy assets or stronger exposure to local hazards. Higher deciles point towards stronger access and fewer hazards.

1
Lower access Higher access

Neighbourhood deprivation

Index of Multiple Deprivation

Over falls in decile 9 for neighbourhood deprivation. This puts the surname towards the less deprived end of the index.

Decile 1 represents the more deprived end of the scale. Decile 10 represents the less deprived end.

9
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

The modern neighbourhood pattern for Over is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of 30-40 mbit/s.

The scale below places that band in context, from slower local download bands through to faster ones.

6
Slower band Faster band

Area snapshot

Ethnic group estimate

Most common ethnic group estimate
White - British

This describes the area pattern most associated with Over, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.

Meaning and origin of Over

The surname "OVER" is believed to have originated in England, with its earliest recorded use dating back to the late 11th century. The name is derived from the Old English word "ofer," meaning "above" or "higher." This suggests that the surname may have been initially used to describe someone who lived in an elevated location or near a hill or ridge.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the surname "OVER" appears in the Domesday Book of 1086, a comprehensive record of landholdings and population surveys conducted under the orders of William the Conqueror. The entry mentions a landowner named Radulfus Over, who held property in Northamptonshire.

In the 13th century, records show the name was also spelled as "Ofer" and "Overe," reflecting the evolution of the English language over time. During this period, the surname may have been associated with place names such as Overtown or Overton, which were derived from the same Old English root.

Notable individuals bearing the surname "OVER" include John Over (c. 1460-1510), a British theologian and philosopher who served as the Vice-Chancellor of the University of Cambridge. Another prominent figure was Robert Over (1573-1615), an English clergyman and author known for his works on theology and church history.

In the 17th century, the surname "OVER" gained prominence in the Netherlands, where it was often spelled as "Overen." One notable bearer of this name was Roelof van Overen (1623-1677), a Dutch Golden Age painter known for his still-life and genre paintings.

Moving into the 18th century, the name "OVER" appeared in various parts of England and Scotland. One noteworthy individual was Samuel Over (1703-1781), a British architect and surveyor who designed several notable buildings in London, including the Marine Society's headquarters.

Throughout the 19th century, the surname "OVER" continued to be present in various regions of the United Kingdom. One prominent figure was William Over (1808-1888), an English architect and surveyor who worked on numerous public buildings and churches in the Midlands region.

As the surname "OVER" spread across different regions and countries, it underwent various spelling variations, including "Overs," "Overr," and "Overe." However, the common thread among all these variations remains the Old English root word "ofer," which has endured for centuries as a testament to the name's rich heritage and linguistic origins.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Over families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Over surname. Use the location tables for concentration, then the name and occupation tables for the people behind the surname.

Top counties

Total is the county count. Frequency and index adjust for local population size, so they are better concentration signals. Surrey leads with 122 Overs recorded in 1881 and an index of 3.65x.

County Total Index
Surrey 122 3.65x
Middlesex 105 1.53x
Warwickshire 98 5.66x
Hampshire 69 4.90x
Sussex 67 5.79x
Kent 48 2.05x
Cornwall 45 5.79x
Lancashire 33 0.41x
Cheshire 27 1.78x
Derbyshire 14 1.30x
Cumberland 10 1.69x
Berkshire 9 1.75x
Gloucestershire 9 0.67x
Yorkshire 9 0.13x
Worcestershire 8 0.89x
Essex 7 0.52x
Renfrewshire 5 0.94x
Devon 4 0.28x
Leicestershire 4 0.53x
Hertfordshire 3 0.63x
Royal Navy 3 3.67x
Oxfordshire 2 0.47x
Pembrokeshire 1 0.46x
Staffordshire 1 0.04x
Wiltshire 1 0.16x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Mevagissey in Cornwall leads with 39 Overs recorded in 1881 and an index of 754.35x.

Place Total Index
Mevagissey 39 754.35x
Portsea 22 7.97x
Rugby 22 93.90x
Newington 20 7.88x
Islington London 19 2.85x
Chester St Oswald 18 65.57x
Nuneaton 18 89.73x
Hillingdon 17 77.66x
Subdeanery 17 193.62x
Foleshill 16 87.82x
Bermondsey 14 6.85x
Toxteth Park 14 5.07x
Brighton 13 5.57x
Oving 13 332.48x
Shoreditch London 11 3.70x
Yateley 11 413.53x
Lambeth 10 1.67x
West Newton Allonby 10 485.44x
Chertsey 9 41.63x
Derby St Werburgh 9 14.50x
Ecclesall Bierlow 9 6.50x
Fareham 9 53.19x
Farnham 9 34.59x
Mitcham 9 42.55x
Waltham 9 756.30x
Coventry Holy Trinity 8 15.47x
Kings Norton 8 9.95x
Kingston On Thames 8 9.95x
Kirkdale 8 5.84x
Paddington London 8 3.17x
Woolwich 8 9.24x
Brinklow 7 380.43x
Edmonton 7 12.65x
Snodland 7 105.42x
Thorpe 7 476.19x
Wandsworth 7 10.59x
Weybridge 7 97.49x
Bristol St James St Paul 6 13.36x
Chatham 6 9.31x
Fulham London 6 6.02x
Southampton St Mary 6 6.78x
Aston 5 1.05x
Bethnal Green London 5 1.68x
Chingford 5 152.91x
Coventry St Michael 5 8.99x
East Grinstead 5 30.51x
Hastings St Mary 5 17.36x
Leamington Hastings 5 462.96x
Plumstead 5 6.40x
Port Glasgow 5 19.43x
St Andrew Holborn 5 21.48x
St Pancras London 5 0.90x
Clerkenwell London 4 2.47x
Crowan 4 64.94x
Frimley 4 41.97x
Godalming 4 18.99x
Hambledon 4 112.99x
Knutsford Nether 4 43.67x
Millbrook 4 11.28x
Sandhurst 4 40.08x
Shirland 4 49.75x
Stansted 4 416.67x
Subdeanary 4 128.62x
Tranmere 4 7.18x
West Derby 4 1.68x
Croydon 3 1.62x
Finchampstead 3 192.31x
Kineton 3 120.97x
Leamington 3 26.13x
Royal Navy 3 4.29x
Southampton All Sts 3 12.42x
Staines 3 27.60x
East Barnet 2 21.30x
Hammersmith London 2 1.18x
Hampstead London 2 1.87x
Hastings Holy Trinity 2 23.45x
Headley 2 52.22x
Kenilworth 2 20.49x
Kensington London 2 0.52x
Tormoham 2 3.31x

Top female names

These are the female first names most often recorded with the Over surname in 1881. Names are not merged, so initials, variant spellings and transcription quirks can appear as separate rows.

Name Count
Mary 40
Elizabeth 36
Sarah 22
Alice 12
Annie 12
Ellen 11
Emily 11
Emma 11
Charlotte 10
Frances 10
Ann 9
Eliza 9
Jane 9
Caroline 7
Fanny 6
Lucy 6
Maria 6
Matilda 6
Ada 5
Edith 5
Florence 5
Clara 4
Eleanor 4
Hannah 4
Louisa 4
Minnie 4
Rose 4
Susan 4
Anne 3
Harriett 3
Phoebe 3
Rebecca 3
Allice 2
Amelia 2
Amy 2
Bertha 2
Blanche 2
Catherine 2
Ciscelia 2
Esther 2
Grace 2
Jessie 2
Julia 2
Kate 2
Lily 2
Martha 2
Bessie 1
Elizh. 1
Emmeline 1
Theresa 1

Top male names

These are the male first names most often recorded with the Over surname in 1881. Names are not merged, so initials, variant spellings and transcription quirks can appear as separate rows.

Name Count
George 40
John 37
William 35
Edward 22
Charles 17
Henry 16
James 16
Joseph 15
Thomas 14
Alfred 13
Frederick 11
Samuel 10
Richard 8
Walter 6
Arthur 5
Edwin 5
Harry 5
Albert 3
Elisha 3
Matthew 3
Robert 3
Augustine 2
David 2
Ernest 2
Francis 2
Frank 2
Herbert 2
Peter 2
Reginald 2
Thos. 2
Archie 1
Daniel 1
E. 1
Earnest 1
Eduard 1
Edw. 1
Everett 1
Ezekiel 1
Fredrick 1
Garnet 1
Gerald 1
Ken.A. 1
Levi 1
Lewes 1
Lewis 1
Louis 1
Michael 1
Owen 1
Philip 1
Wm. 1

FAQ

Over surname: questions and answers

How common was the Over surname in 1881?

In 1881, 703 people were recorded with the Over surname. That placed it at #5,173 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Over surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 687 in 2016. That gives Over a modern rank of #7,817.

What does the Over surname mean?

An occupational surname denoting a person who lived over or beyond a particular landscape feature.

What does the Over map show?

The map shows local surname concentration for the selected year. Darker areas have a stronger concentration of Over bearers relative to the surrounding population.

What records is this surname page based on?

The historical counts come from census surname records. The modern counts and neighbourhood summaries come from later surname distribution records. Counts are recorded bearers in those records, not a live estimate of everyone with the name today.