Surname Olivier - Meaning and Origin

Unraveling My Ancestral Threads: A Deep Dive into Olivier Surname Through iGENEA DNA Test

Undergoing a DNA test at iGENEA deepened my knowledge of my surname, Olivier. The process used advanced technology focusing on STR and SNP markers. The results were impressively accurate, with the deviation margin being tiny. The test traced back the Olivier surname to the ancient Celtic region, discovering matches in France and uncovering migrations and intermarriages in my ancestral diaspora.

E. Olivier

Olivier: What does the surname Olivier mean?

The last name Olivier has French origins and is derived from the French name Olivier, which is a version of the name Oliver. The French name Olivier is derived from the Latin name Oliuarius, which means "elf army" or "elf warrior". The name was popularized in the Middle Ages through the legend of Charlemagne's paladins and the warrior Roland, who was a leader of Charlemagne's twelve peers.

In France, the name Olivier became part of nobility. It was common among the powerful families of the Middle Ages and the Renaissance. In the modern day, Olivier is a common last name and is often paired with a wide variety of first names, but are almost exclusively derived from French culture.

The meaning of the last name reflects the history of France and the reverence for the medieval warrior Roland by using the French word for "elf warrior". This last name still retains its military associations and honor in the modern age, and is a source of pride for those of French descent.

Olivier: Where does the name Olivier come from?

Olivier is a French name that is common across many countries, including France, Belgium, Switzerland, Canada, and the United States. It is even found in parts of Britain and various former French colonies such as Haiti and Senegal.

In France, the last name Olivier can be found primarily in the French-speaking regions of Northern France, as well as parts of Brittany and Aquitaine. It is most common in Paris, as well as the Bretagne, Pays-de-la-Loire, and Centre regions of the country.

In Canada, the last name Olivier is particularly common in the province of Quebec. It is most common in the cities of Montreal, Quebec City, and Laval. It is also common in the provinces of British Columbia and Ontario, as well as in some of the more urban parts of Alberta and Manitoba.

In the United States, the last name Olivier is found mainly in Louisiana, where the French language is still spoken in some parts of the state. It is also found throughout the country in areas with large French-speaking communities, such as parts of New York, Florida, and other states.

Overall, the last name Olivier is fairly widely distributed throughout the French-speaking world. It is a popular name that appears to be well-liked by many, despite its French origins.

Variations of the surname Olivier

The surname Olivier is a French surname with many variants and spellings. The most common variant is Olivier, followed by the variants Ollivier, Olliviere, Olliver, Olliff, and Olliffe. Surnames with similar origins but different spellings include Olliverre, Olivierre, Oliveer, Ollivierre, Olliffer, Olyviere, Oliviers, Olyfe, and Olivare.

The Olivier surname has its origin in the Latin name Oliverus, which is in turn derived from the Old Germanic name Alfihar meaning “elf army”. It is also thought to have been derived from the legal term 'oliveres' for those trained in law.

The Olivier surname appears to have established itself in France around the 12th century. Over time, various regional variants of the name began to appear because of the French language's tendency to make regional dialectical changes to words.

The Olivier surname is most commonly found in Europe, but it has spread to other parts of the world through immigration. It is most heavily concentrated in the United States, Canada, France, Italy, Australia, and New Zealand.

Variations of the Olivier surname are still used today and can be found across many cultures because of immigration. So, although Olivier is the most common variant, it is important to be aware of the different variants and spellings of the surname when conducting family history research.

Famous people with the name Olivier

• Sir Laurence Olivier: British actor, director, producer, and World War II veteran (1907-1989).
• Richard Olivier: English businessman, international speaker and educator, and son of Laurence Olivier (born 1964).
• Syvlie Olivier: Belgian actress who starred in films such as The Kid with a Bike (born 1953).
• Jean-Paul Olivier: French entrepreneur, businessman, investor, and record producer (born 1956).
• Justin Olivier: American entrepreneur, business consultant, and venture capitalist (born 1987).
• Paulette Olivier: French actress, singer and artist (1932-2020).
• Karine Olivier: French television presenter and journalist (born 1966).
• Sonia Olivier: South African actress, model, and presenter (born 1984).
• Julien Olivier: French composer, singer and producer (born 1975).
• Anne Olivier Bell: British editor, criterion for The published diaries of Virginia Woolf (born 1923).

Other surnames