Explore the Family Name Overholt

The meaning of Overholt

1. Americanized form of Swiss German and German Oberholtzer and probably also of German Oberholz, a topographic name from Middle High German ober ‘above’ (or German ober- ‘upper’) + holz ‘wood’. 2. Norwegian: habitational name from the farm name Overholt, a compound of over ‘upper’ and holt ‘grove, wood’.

Dictionary of American Family Names, 2nd edition, © Oxford University Press, 2022.

How common is the last name Overholt in the United States?

Based on the Decennial U.S. Census data, the surname Overholt experienced a slight drop in popularity from 2000 to 2010. In 2000, Overholt was ranked 10,615 in terms of commonality, but by 2010, it had slipped to 10,987, marking a 3.5% decrease. However, despite the fall in ranking, the actual count of individuals with the Overholt last name rose from 2,770 to 2,894 within the same decade, indicating a growth of 4.48%. The proportion per 100,000 people dropped by 4.85%, from 1.03 to 0.98.

20002010Change
Rank#10,615#10,987-3.5%
Count2,7702,8944.48%
Proportion per 100k1.030.98-4.85%

Race and Ethnicity of people with the last name Overholt

Looking at the ethnicity distribution of the Overholt surname, the Decennial U.S. Census reveals a few shifts between 2000 and 2010. The majority of those with this surname identify as White, although the percentage dipped slightly from 98.05% to 96.30% over the ten-year period. There were no recorded individuals of Asian/Pacific Islander descent with this surname in 2000, but by 2010, they constituted 0.48% of the Overholts. Additionally, the percentage of individuals reporting two or more ethnic identities more than doubled, rising from 0.58% to 1.24%. The Hispanic representation also increased from 1.05% to 1.59%. However, there were no Overholts who identified as Black or American Indian and Alaskan Native in either census year.

20002010Change
White98.05%96.3%-1.78%
Hispanic1.05%1.59%51.43%
Two or More Races0.58%1.24%113.79%
Asian/Pacific Islander0%0.48%0%
Black0%0%0%
American Indian and Alaskan Native0%0%0%