Where does “Olson” come from?

Olson is an English surname derived from the Swedish surname Olsson, which is a patronymic formation based on the given name Olof.

Ancestry of “Olson”, step by step

Olson traces back through 3 separate lines of ancestry.

via Danish Olsen

StepLanguageWordMeaning
1DanishOlsen
2DanishOle
3DanishOlafof origin
4Old NorseÓláfr
5Proto-Norseᚨᚾᚢᛚᚨᛁᛒᚨᛉ
6Proto-Germanicanulaibaz
7Proto-Germaniclaibōwhat is left, remainder, remnant
8Proto-Indo-Europeanleyp-to stick; fat or sticky substance
9Proto-Indo-Europeanlēy-to leave, let; to want, desire; to let; leave...

via Swedish Olsson

StepLanguageWordMeaning
1SwedishOlsson
2SwedishOlas
3Swedishsonson; someone's male child
4Old Swedishsonson
5Old Norsesonrson
6Proto-Germanicsunuzson
7Proto-Indo-European*suhnús

via Norwegian Olsen

StepLanguageWordMeaning
1NorwegianOlsen
2NorwegianOlav

Words derived from “Olson

Every word from Proto-Indo-European lēy-
Olson — Etymology, Origin & Word History | Etymology Explorer