UK surname
A surname derived from the olive tree or the olive fruit.
In the 1881 census there were 19 people recorded with the Olives surname, ranking it #30,872 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 7, ranked #37,967, down from #30,872 in 1881.
The strongest historical links point to Tipton otherwise Tibington, Doddington and Gateshead. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include No data.
Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Olives is 112 in 1891. Compared with 1881, the name has fallen by 63.2%.
1881 census count
19
Ranked #30,872
Modern count
7
2016, ranked #37,967
Peak year
1891
112 bearers
Map years
2
1861 to 1891
Key insights
Map
Back to topThe map shows where the Olives surname is concentrated in each census or modern distribution year. Darker areas mean a stronger local concentration.
Distribution map
Olives surname density by area, 1891 census.
Timeline
Back to topThe table below tracks recorded surname counts and rank from the 19th-century census years through the modern adult-register period.
| Year | Period | Count | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1851 | historical | 38 | #26,502 |
| 1861 | historical | 109 | #19,693 |
| 1881 | historical | 19 | #30,872 |
| 1891 | historical | 112 | #22,291 |
| 1901 | historical | 51 | #28,492 |
| 1911 | historical | 49 | #27,894 |
| 1997 | modern | 2 | #38,557 |
| 1998 | modern | 2 | #38,550 |
| 1999 | modern | 2 | #38,551 |
| 2000 | modern | 1 | #38,790 |
| 2001 | modern | 1 | #38,647 |
| 2002 | modern | 1 | #38,709 |
| 2003 | modern | 2 | #38,424 |
| 2004 | modern | 3 | #38,241 |
| 2005 | modern | 2 | #38,532 |
| 2006 | modern | 3 | #38,334 |
| 2007 | modern | 2 | #38,617 |
| 2008 | modern | 3 | #38,396 |
| 2009 | modern | 2 | #38,725 |
| 2010 | modern | 2 | #38,775 |
| 2011 | modern | 3 | #38,546 |
| 2012 | modern | 4 | #38,335 |
| 2013 | modern | 7 | #37,909 |
| 2014 | modern | 5 | #38,228 |
| 2015 | modern | 5 | #38,221 |
| 2016 | modern | 7 | #37,967 |
Geography
Back to topHistorical parish links are strongest around Tipton otherwise Tibington, Doddington, Gateshead, Barrow-on-Soar (Barrow-on-Soar, Mountsorrel, Woodhouse, Woodhouse Eaves, Maplewell), Beaumanor, Roth and Kidderminster. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.
The modern local-area list points to No data. Treat these as concentration signals, not proof that every family line began there.
| Rank | Parish | Area |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tipton otherwise Tibington | Staffordshire |
| 2 | Doddington | Northumberland |
| 3 | Gateshead | Durham |
| 4 | Barrow-on-Soar (Barrow-on-Soar, Mountsorrel, Woodhouse, Woodhouse Eaves, Maplewell), Beaumanor, Roth | Leicestershire |
| 5 | Kidderminster | Worcestershire |
| Rank | Area | District |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | No data | No data |
Forenames
Back to topThese lists show first names that appear often with the Olives surname in historical and recent records.
Recent female names
Recent male names
Modern profile
Back to topModern surname records can be compared with neighbourhood classifications. For Olives, this points to the kinds of places where the surname is most concentrated today.
These neighbourhood labels describe areas, not individual people. They are useful because surnames often cluster through family history, migration, housing patterns and local work. A surname can be strongest in one type of neighbourhood even when people with that name live across the country.
The UK classification gives the national picture. The London classification is more specific to the capital, where housing, age profile, tenure and population mix can look quite different from the rest of the UK.
UK neighbourhood type
Supergroup
No data
Group
No data
Nationally, the Olives surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as No data, within No data. This does not mean every Olives household fits that profile, but it gives a useful signal about where the modern surname distribution is strongest.
London neighbourhood type
Supergroup
No data
Group
No data
Within London, Olives is most associated with areas classed as No data, part of No data. This gives the surname a London-specific profile rather than forcing the capital into the same pattern as the rest of the country.
Broadband speed
The modern neighbourhood pattern for Olives is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of No data.
Area snapshot
This describes the area pattern most associated with Olives, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.
Origin
Back to topThe surname Olives is believed to have originated in Spain, specifically in the region of Catalonia, during the medieval period. It is derived from the Catalan word "olivera," which means "olive tree." This suggests that the name may have been initially associated with individuals who cultivated or traded in olives.
The earliest recorded instances of the surname Olives can be traced back to the 13th century in various documents and records from the Kingdom of Aragon. One notable example is found in the "Llibre de Repartiment," a medieval census document that recorded the distribution of lands and properties following the Christian conquest of Valencia in 1238.
In the 14th century, the name appeared in the "Llibre Verd," a historic manuscript that compiled the laws and privileges of the city of Barcelona. This reference highlights the presence of the Olives family within the urban centers of Catalonia during that time.
One of the earliest known bearers of the surname Olives was Guillem Olives, a prominent merchant from Barcelona who lived in the late 13th and early 14th centuries. He was involved in trade activities across the Mediterranean and played a significant role in the city's economic affairs.
Another noteworthy figure was Pere Olives, a renowned Catalan physician and scholar who lived during the 15th century. He authored several medical treatises and was highly regarded for his contributions to the field of medicine.
In the 16th century, the Olives surname gained prominence with Jaume Olives, a skilled architect and master builder who was responsible for the construction of several notable churches and buildings in the region of Valencia.
The surname Olives has also been associated with various place names throughout Spain, such as Olivesa and Oliveras, which further reinforces its connection to the olive tree and its cultivation.
It is important to note that variations in spelling and pronunciation of the surname may have occurred over time, including Olives, Olivés, Olivés, and Oliveras, among others.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
1881 census detail
Back to topThese tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Olives surname. Use the location tables for concentration, then the name and occupation tables for the people behind the surname.
Total is the county count. Frequency and index adjust for local population size, so they are better concentration signals. Surrey leads with 4 Olives' recorded in 1881 and an index of 6.02x.
| County | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| Surrey | 4 | 6.02x |
| Leicestershire | 3 | 19.83x |
| Middlesex | 2 | 1.47x |
| Gloucestershire | 1 | 3.74x |
| Hampshire | 1 | 3.58x |
| Kent | 1 | 2.15x |
| Royal Navy | 1 | 61.35x |
| Yorkshire | 1 | 0.74x |
Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Barrow Upon Soar in Leicestershire leads with 3 Olives' recorded in 1881 and an index of 2500.00x.
| Place | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| Barrow Upon Soar | 3 | 2500.00x |
| Newington | 3 | 59.52x |
| Clifton | 1 | 74.07x |
| Dover St James | 1 | 500.00x |
| Isleworth | 1 | 163.93x |
| Lambeth | 1 | 8.40x |
| Skidby | 1 | 5000.00x |
| St Giles In Fields | 1 | 212.77x |
| Wymering | 1 | 2000.00x |
These are the female first names most often recorded with the Olives surname in 1881. Names are not merged, so initials, variant spellings and transcription quirks can appear as separate rows.
These are the male first names most often recorded with the Olives surname in 1881. Names are not merged, so initials, variant spellings and transcription quirks can appear as separate rows.
Occupational titles are kept as recorded and later transcribed, so related jobs, spelling variants and mistakes stay separate. Scholar was the census term for a child in education. That means the other rows often tell you more about adult work in Olives households.
| Occupation | Count |
|---|---|
| Cook | 1 |
| Domestic Servant | 1 |
| Gardener | 1 |
| General Servant (Dom) | 1 |
| Joiner | 1 |
| Labourer | 1 |
| Pantaloon FWK Manufacturer | 1 |
| Photographer Instrument Maker | 1 |
| Scholar | 1 |
| Seampstress | 1 |
FAQ
In 1881, 19 people were recorded with the Olives surname. That placed it at #30,872 in the surname rankings for that year.
The latest modern count shown here is 7 in 2016. That gives Olives a modern rank of #37,967.
A surname derived from the olive tree or the olive fruit.
The map shows local surname concentration for the selected year. Darker areas have a stronger concentration of Olives bearers relative to the surrounding population.
The historical counts come from census surname records. The modern counts and neighbourhood summaries come from later surname distribution records. Counts are recorded bearers in those records, not a live estimate of everyone with the name today.