All surnames

Scandinavian surname

Olsen

Son of Ole

Patronymic surname (from a father's name)

Olsen is a Scandinavian patronymic meaning 'son of Ole'. Ole is a Scandinavian form of Olaf. The surname is common in Denmark and Norway and among Scandinavian emigrants.

Variants include Olsson in Sweden. The name reflects the popularity of the given name Ole/Olaf.

More Scandinavian surnames

AndersenNielsenHansenLarsenErikssonBerg

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Frequently asked questions

What does the surname Olsen mean?+

Son of Ole. From Ole, a Scandinavian given name related to Olaf, plus "-sen".

Is Olsen a common surname?+

Olsen is a Scandinavian-origin surname. Popularity varies widely by country and region, and the same surname can be common in one place and rare in another.

Can two families with the same surname be unrelated?+

Yes. Surnames, especially occupational and descriptive ones like this, were often adopted independently by many unrelated families who happened to share a trade, appearance, or location.

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