NameCensus.

UK surname

Overy

A habitational surname derived from a location name indicating someone from Overy, Norfolk, England.

In the 1881 census there were 434 people recorded with the Overy surname, ranking it #7,512 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 729, ranked #7,469, up from #7,512 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to Rochester, London parishes and St Matthew Bethnal Green. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Waveney, Forest Heath and Tunbridge Wells.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Overy is 856 in 1998. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 68.0%.

1881 census count

434

Ranked #7,512

Modern count

729

2016, ranked #7,469

Peak year

1998

856 bearers

Map years

9

1851 to 2016

Key insights

  • Overy had 434 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #7,512 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 729 in 2016, ranked #7,469.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 720 in 1911.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Rural Amenity.

Overy surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Overy surname density by area, 1881 census.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Overy 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 311 #7,413
1861 historical 333 #7,646
1881 historical 434 #7,512
1891 historical 574 #6,631
1901 historical 661 #6,556
1911 historical 720 #5,933
1997 modern 850 #6,239
1998 modern 856 #6,402
1999 modern 851 #6,479
2000 modern 845 #6,492
2001 modern 836 #6,429
2002 modern 824 #6,616
2003 modern 802 #6,641
2004 modern 787 #6,763
2005 modern 764 #6,855
2006 modern 762 #6,896
2007 modern 752 #7,044
2008 modern 746 #7,135
2009 modern 750 #7,248
2010 modern 773 #7,213
2011 modern 761 #7,225
2012 modern 738 #7,316
2013 modern 733 #7,470
2014 modern 740 #7,461
2015 modern 729 #7,492
2016 modern 729 #7,469

Geography

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Where Overys are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around Rochester, London parishes, St Matthew Bethnal Green and St Giles Camberwell. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Waveney, Forest Heath and Tunbridge Wells. 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 Rochester Kent
2 London parishes London 3
3 St Matthew Bethnal Green London (East Districts)
4 St Giles Camberwell London (South Districts)
5 London parishes London 2

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Waveney 003 Waveney
2 Waveney 004 Waveney
3 Waveney 002 Waveney
4 Forest Heath 002 Forest Heath
5 Tunbridge Wells 001 Tunbridge Wells

Forenames

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First names often paired with Overy

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Overy

Modern surname records can be compared with neighbourhood classifications. For Overy, 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 Overy surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Rural Amenity, within Suburbanites and Peri-Urbanities. This does not mean every Overy 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

Older Residents in Owner-Occupied Suburbs

Group

London Fringe

Within London, Overy is most associated with areas classed as London Fringe, part of Older Residents in Owner-Occupied Suburbs. 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

Predominantly located in neighbourhoods on the outskirts of Greater London, residents of these neighbourhoods typically have their highest qualifications below degree (Level 4) level, with those still in work engaged in skilled trades and occupations in distribution, hotels and restaurants. There is low ethnic diversity in these neighbourhoods and high levels of Christian religious affiliation. Detached or terraced houses predominate, often with spare rooms.

Wider London pattern

The age distribution of these neighbourhoods is skewed towards the middle-aged and old, although few residents live alone or in communal establishments and numbers of dependent children are around average. Owner occupation is the norm, as is residence in detached or semi-detached houses. Residential densities are low and many households have spare rooms. Most residents were born in the UK and, aside from some identifying as members of Chinese or Indian ethnicities, identify as White. Mixed ethnicity households are rare. Incidence of married couples is higher than average and few individuals have never been married. A large proportion of individuals still in employment work in administrative and secretarial occupations, or in the construction industry. Few residents are students, and many households own more than one car.

Healthy neighbourhoods

Access to healthy assets and hazards

Overy is most concentrated in decile 8 for access to healthy assets and hazards. This places the surname towards the healthier 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.

8
Lower access Higher access

Neighbourhood deprivation

Index of Multiple Deprivation

Overy falls in decile 6 for neighbourhood deprivation. This puts the surname near the middle of the scale.

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

6
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

The modern neighbourhood pattern for Overy 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 Overy, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.

Meaning and origin of Overy

The surname Overy has its origins in England, dating back to the medieval period. It is believed to have derived from the Old English words "ofer" and "ey," which together mean "high island" or "high ground." This suggests that the name originated as a topographic descriptor, likely referring to a family or individual who resided on a raised area or island.

One of the earliest documented mentions of the surname Overy can be found in the Domesday Book of 1086, a comprehensive record of landowners and tenants in England commissioned by William the Conqueror. This indicates that the name was already established by the late 11th century.

During the 13th century, the name appeared in various forms, including Overi, Overie, and Overy, as evidenced by records from counties such as Norfolk and Suffolk. These variations likely reflect regional dialects and spelling conventions of the time.

One notable bearer of the Overy surname was Sir John Overy, a prominent English knight who lived in the 14th century. He served under King Edward III during the Hundred Years' War and participated in several military campaigns against the French.

In the 16th century, the name Overy was associated with several places in England, such as Overy Manor in Dorset and Overy Wharf in London. These place names may have contributed to the surname's development and spread.

Another significant figure was Thomas Overy, a 17th-century English puritan who emigrated to New England in 1635. He became a prominent member of the Massachusetts Bay Colony and served as a representative in the General Court.

In the 18th century, the Overy family had a presence in the county of Norfolk, with several members holding positions of influence. One such individual was John Overy (1722-1791), a successful merchant and landowner who served as a justice of the peace.

During the 19th century, the Overy name gained further prominence with individuals like William Overy (1825-1909), a renowned landscape painter known for his depictions of rural English scenes.

These examples illustrate the rich history and diverse backgrounds associated with the surname Overy, which has been carried by individuals from various walks of life throughout the centuries.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Overy families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Overy 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. Kent leads with 125 Overys recorded in 1881 and an index of 8.61x.

County Total Index
Kent 125 8.61x
Middlesex 92 2.16x
Surrey 72 3.47x
Sussex 42 5.86x
Suffolk 20 3.86x
Essex 9 1.07x
Yorkshire 9 0.21x
Devon 8 0.90x
Hampshire 7 0.80x
Nottinghamshire 7 1.22x
Carmarthenshire 6 3.35x
Norfolk 6 0.92x
Warwickshire 6 0.56x
Hertfordshire 5 1.71x
Northumberland 5 0.79x
Shropshire 5 1.36x
Cornwall 4 0.83x
Lancashire 2 0.04x
Bedfordshire 1 0.45x
Lanarkshire 1 0.07x
Monmouthshire 1 0.33x
Northamptonshire 1 0.25x
Oxfordshire 1 0.38x
Royal Navy 1 1.97x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Rochester St Margaret in Kent leads with 22 Overys recorded in 1881 and an index of 143.79x.

Place Total Index
Rochester St Margaret 22 143.79x
Camberwell 20 7.36x
Chatham 20 50.10x
Lowestoft 20 81.73x
Bethnal Green London 18 9.74x
Newington 17 10.82x
Hackney London 13 5.45x
Islington London 12 2.91x
Hastings St Leonards 9 85.39x
Mile End Old Town London 9 9.94x
Reigate Foreign 9 40.11x
Filey 8 234.60x
Lambeth 8 2.16x
Margate St John Baptist 8 30.11x
Northiam 8 454.55x
Plymouth St Andrew 8 11.73x
Shoreditch London 8 4.34x
Bletchingley 7 259.26x
Bow London 7 12.93x
Brenchley 7 134.87x
Deptford St Paul 7 6.25x
Headcorn 7 322.58x
Hellingly 7 291.67x
Hucknall Torkard 7 48.14x
Sandwich St Clement 7 569.11x
Upminster 7 402.30x
Birmingham 6 1.68x
Bromley London 6 6.41x
Llanelly 6 14.86x
Westfield 6 392.16x
Bishop Stortford 5 51.07x
Bobbing 5 724.64x
Brede 5 333.33x
Capel 5 609.76x
Milton In Gravesend 5 22.98x
Shrewsbury St Mary 5 34.48x
Westgate 5 12.76x
Dartford 4 26.95x
Faversham 4 28.90x
Hernhill 4 366.97x
Southampton St Mary 4 7.30x
Spitalfields London 4 12.50x
St Veep 4 512.82x
Finchley 3 18.40x
Milton In Milton 3 48.62x
Norton Folgate London 3 215.83x
Ore 3 56.18x
Preston Next Faversham 3 87.98x
Stoke 3 361.45x
Wendling 3 566.04x
Bermondsey 2 1.58x
Brighton 2 1.38x
Croydon 2 1.74x
Heigham 2 5.70x
Kensington London 2 0.85x
Kingston On Thames 2 4.02x
Rotherhithe 2 3.81x
St Marylebone London 2 0.88x
Tonbridge 2 3.82x
West Ham 2 1.08x
Whitechapel London 2 4.77x
Beckenham 1 5.27x
Biggar 1 32.15x
Clerkenwell London 1 1.00x
Deal 1 8.08x
Leeds 1 0.42x
Leighton Buzzard 1 10.56x
Lynsted 1 53.19x
Newport 1 6.82x
North Meols 1 2.02x
Portsmouth 1 4.98x
Rainham 1 25.06x
Ramsgate 1 4.22x
Royal Navy 1 2.31x
Ryde 1 5.34x
Southwark St John 1 7.69x
St Pancras London 1 0.29x
Streatham 1 3.17x
Strood 1 12.08x
Walmer 1 15.85x

Top female names

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

Name Count
Mary 27
Elizabeth 21
Sarah 15
Alice 10
Eliza 10
Jane 8
Emma 7
Emily 6
Fanny 6
Frances 6
Annie 5
Hannah 5
Ann 4
Charlotte 4
Ada 3
Anne 3
Caroline 3
Edith 3
Esther 3
Lilian 3
Maria 3
Martha 3
Susannah 3
Amelia 2
Eleanor 2
Elizth. 2
Ellen 2
Florence 2
Isabella 2
Julia 2
Matilda 2
Rebecca 2
Bella 1
Bessie 1
Carry 1
Catherine 1
Dinah 1
E...een 1
Ealenor 1
Elisabeth 1
Harriet 1
Harriett 1
Henrietta 1
Janet 1
Jesse 1
Jessey 1
Josephine 1
Kate 1
Kathleen 1
Thurza 1

Top male names

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

Name Count
William 32
Henry 18
Charles 17
John 17
James 15
Thomas 10
Alfred 9
George 8
Robert 7
Frederick 5
Joseph 5
Arthur 4
Ernest 4
Frank 4
Samuel 4
Albert 3
Edward 3
Richard 3
Walter 3
Willm. 3
Alexander 2
Daniel 2
Donald 2
Harry 2
Jeffery 2
Jonathan 2
Wm. 2
Agustus 1
Claude 1
Cornelius 1
Edwd. 1
Eli 1
Fasmons 1
Francis 1
Fredk.W. 1
G.E. 1
Geo. 1
Henery 1
Horace 1
Jno.G. 1
Lawrence 1
Mark 1
Morris 1
Silas 1
Thos. 1
Tom 1
Willam 1

FAQ

Overy surname: questions and answers

How common was the Overy surname in 1881?

In 1881, 434 people were recorded with the Overy surname. That placed it at #7,512 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Overy surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 729 in 2016. That gives Overy a modern rank of #7,469.

What does the Overy surname mean?

A habitational surname derived from a location name indicating someone from Overy, Norfolk, England.

What does the Overy map show?

The map shows local surname concentration for the selected year. Darker areas have a stronger concentration of Overy 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.