Surname Oliver - Meaning and Origin

Unraveling the Enigmatic Surprises in the Oliver Lineage: A Discover of Transcontinental Ancestry via iGENEA DNA Test

The exploration into my heritage through the iGENEA DNA test yielded unexpected twists and turns, particularly about my surname, Oliver. Anticipating a purely British lineage, I was startled by my Phoenician roots, connections to the ancient Egyptian royal family, links to Spain, Portugal, and a lineage traced back to Celtic tribes in Ireland and Scotland.

H. Oliver

Oliver: What does the surname Oliver mean?

The surname Oliver has multiple roots and interpretations spanning different cultures, but its most commonly accepted origin is from the Old French personal name "Olivier". This is derived from the Latin 'Olivarius' which means "olive tree planter", suggesting ancestry related to agricultural endeavors particularly in olive farming. The olive tree is a symbol of peace, wisdom, fertility, prosperity, and glory in various cultures, thus bestowing a noble connotation to the surname. In addition, the name Olivier was popularized through the medieval French epic poem, "La Chanson de Roland," where Olivier was a friend and advisor to the hero Roland. This might have influenced the widespread use of the surname. Military registers from the Crusades in the 12th century also showed that a knight named Olivier d'Arras was rewarded land in England for his service, spreading the use of the name there. So, the Oliver surname can indicate peace and prosperity, historical connections to farming, or it may be in reference to the legendary figure in French literature.

Oliver: Where does the name Oliver come from?

The last name Oliver is common throughout the United States, United Kingdom, and across Europe.

In the United States, it is the 75th most common surname and it is particularly common in Texas, where it ranks number 14 in popularity. The states of New Jersey, Maryland, and California also demonstrate a high concentration of Olivers living there.

In the United Kingdom, it ranks 26th in popularity, and is especially prominent in Yorkshire, London, Surrey, and Essex.

In Ireland, Oliver ranks 25th most common. Interestingly, this surname is more popular in the Republic of Ireland than in Northern Ireland.

In mainland Europe, Spain is the country with the highest concentration of individuals with the last name Oliver. In Switzerland, it holds the rank of 28th in popularity.

Overall, the last name of Oliver is quite common in the English-speaking world and it can also be found in a number of other countries too.

Variations of the surname Oliver

The surname Oliver is very popular and can have several different variants, spellings and surnames of the same origin. Some of the most common variants/spellings include Olivar, Oliff, Olivres, Olivarri, Oliveiro, and Oliffer.

The variants of Oliver can trace their origins to many different cultures, including French, Spanish, Portuguese, and Italian. In French, the surname can be spelled as Olivier, and in Spanish, it could be spelled Olivar or Olivares. In Portuguese, Oliveiro and Olivarri are the common spellings of the surname. In Italian, it can be spelled as Oliffer or Olivres.

The original spelling of the surname comes from the Latin 'oliva', which means olive. This meaning is in reference to the tree, which is a symbol of peace and strength.

In addition to the variants listed above, there are also other surnames that have derived from the root of Oliver, such as the English surname Olivier, the Dutch surname Olliver, and the Germanic surname Oelig.

All of these different variations are rooted in the same family line, as they are all possible spellings of Oliver. Therefore, an individual with one of these surnames can trace their roots back to the original Oliver, which is an important way to understand the origins of the family.

No matter how the surname is spelled, it will remain the same root meaning and origin.

Famous people with the name Oliver

• Jaime Oliver: British celebrity chef, restaurateur, media personality, author and activist
• John Oliver: British comedian, political commentator, television host and actor
• Ryan Oliver: Canadian writer, director and actor
• AnnaLynne McCord Oliver: American actress and model
• Oliver Morgan: American R&B singer and songwriter
• Chaz Oliver: American actor, singer, and songwriter
• Daisy Oliver: British model
• Gene Oliver: American former professional baseball player
• Kenneth Oliver: British actor, screenwriter and director
• Eddie Oliver: American former professional football player
• Dave Oliver: Australian Labour movement leader
• Ray Oliver: American Major League Baseball pitcher
• Kelly Oliver: American philosopher
• Stephen Oliver: British composer, conductor, and professor of music
• Creflo Dollar Oliver: American televangelist and prosperity gospel preacher
• Andrew Oliver: American former professional baseball player
• Johnnie Oliver: American former Major League Baseball umpire
• Tom Oliver: British actor
• Rocky Oliver: American former professional football player
• John Paul Oliver: American former Major League Baseball center fielder
• Tom Oliver Pipkin: British actor, screenwriter, journalist, presenter and producer

Other surnames

OliveaOliveiraOlivera