Overall History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:

England

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Overall is a name of ancient Norman origin. It arrived in England with the Norman Conquest of 1066. The Overall family lived the Old French word Avril, meaning April. The name would have initially been given to a child born in the month of April.

Early Origins of the Overall family

The surname Overall was first found in Gloucestershire where they were granted lands by William the Conqueror for their assistance at the Battle of Hastings in 1066. They were conjecturally descended from a Norman noble, Avril, who landed with William the Conqueror.

Early History of the Overall family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Overall research. Another 59 words (4 lines of text) covering the years 1559, 1601, 1614, 1618, 1619, 1666, 1754, 1755, 1771 and 1847 are included under the topic Early Overall History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Overall Spelling Variations

Endless spelling variations are a prevailing characteristic of Norman surnames. Old and Middle English lacked any definite spelling rules, and the introduction of Norman French added an unfamiliar ingredient to the English linguistic stew. French and Latin, the languages of the court, also influenced spellings. Finally, Medieval scribes generally spelled words according to how they sounded, so one person was often referred to by different spellings in different documents. The name has been spelled Averell, Averall, Avrill, Avril, Averel, Abrill and many more.

Early Notables of the Overall family

Outstanding amongst the family at this time was

John Overall (1559-1619) English Dean of St Pauls Cathedral (1601), Bishop of Coventry and Lichfield (1614), 38th bishop of the see of Norwich from 1618 until his death

Overall Ranking

In the United States, the name Overall is the 13,962^nd most popular surname with an estimated 2,487 people with that name. 1

Migration of the Overall family to Ireland

Some of the Overall family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt.
Another 80 words (6 lines of text) about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Overall migration to the United States +

To escape the political and religious persecution within England at the time, many English families left for the various British colonies abroad. The voyage was extremely difficult, though, and the cramped, dank ships caused many to arrive in the New World diseased and starving. But for those who made it, the trip was most often worth it. Many of the families who arrived went on to make valuable contributions to the emerging nations of Canada and the United States. An inquiry into the early roots of North American families reveals a number of immigrants bearing the name Overall or a variant listed above:

Overall Settlers in United States in the 19th Century

Joseph Overall, who arrived in Indiana in 1852 2

Overall Settlers in United States in the 20th Century

Ada Overall, aged 29, who landed in America from London, in 1906
William A Overall, aged 35, who immigrated to the United States from Headley, in 1906
Amelia Overall, aged 41, who landed in America from London, in 1906
Clara Overall, aged 36, who immigrated to the United States from Headley, in 1906
Daisy Overall, aged 17, who landed in America from London, in 1906
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Overall migration to Australia +

Emigration to Australia followed the First Fleets of convicts, tradespeople and early settlers. Early immigrants include:

Overall Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century

Jesse Overall, aged 41, a labourer, who arrived in South Australia in 1849 aboard the ship "Duke of Wellington" 3
John Overall, aged 21, a smith, who arrived in South Australia in 1849 aboard the ship "Himalaya" 4
Henry Overall, who arrived in Adelaide, Australia aboard the ship "Pestonjee Bomanjee" in 1851 5

Overall migration to New Zealand +

Emigration to New Zealand followed in the footsteps of the European explorers, such as Captain Cook (1769-70): first came sealers, whalers, missionaries, and traders. By 1838, the British New Zealand Company had begun buying land from the Maori tribes, and selling it to settlers, and, after the Treaty of Waitangi in 1840, many British families set out on the arduous six month journey from Britain to Aotearoa to start a new life. Early immigrants include:

Overall Settlers in New Zealand in the 19th Century

William Overall, aged 26, who arrived in Lyttelton, New Zealand aboard the ship "Apelles" in 1874
Phillis Overall, aged 26, who arrived in Lyttelton, New Zealand aboard the ship "Apelles" in 1874

Contemporary Notables of the name Overall (post 1700) +

Orval Overall (1881-1947), American Major League Baseball pitcher
Park Overall (b. 1957), American film and television actress, known for her heavy Southern accent
Sir John Wallace Overall CBE MC & Bar (1913-2001), Australian World War II veteran and architect
Edward Overall Bleackley (1898-1976), English cricketer who played for the Lancashire and Marylebone Cricket Club in 1919
William Overall Yager (1833-1904), American soldier during the American Civil War, initially the major and commanding officer of Yager's Third Battalion Texas Mounted Volunteers