NameCensus.

UK surname

Olivier

A French toponymic surname derived from the Latin olivarius, meaning "olive tree," referring to someone who lived near an olive grove.

In the 1881 census there were 66 people recorded with the Olivier surname, ranking it #24,256 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 575, ranked #8,995, up from #24,256 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to No data. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Kensington and Chelsea, Melton and Huntingdonshire.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Olivier is 598 in 2010. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 771.2%.

1881 census count

66

Ranked #24,256

Modern count

575

2016, ranked #8,995

Peak year

2010

598 bearers

Map years

3

1998 to 2016

Key insights

  • Olivier had 66 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #24,256 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 575 in 2016, ranked #8,995.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 84 in 1911.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Diverse Educated Urban Singles.

Olivier surname distribution map

The map shows where the Olivier surname is concentrated in each census or modern distribution year. Darker areas mean a stronger local concentration.

Distribution map

Olivier surname density by area, 2016 modern.

Loading map
Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

Back to top

Olivier over time

The 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 31 #27,734
1861 historical 26 #30,677
1881 historical 66 #24,256
1891 historical 54 #29,849
1901 historical 59 #27,609
1911 historical 84 #24,442
1997 modern 291 #13,792
1998 modern 309 #13,612
1999 modern 335 #12,993
2000 modern 335 #12,953
2001 modern 339 #12,641
2002 modern 403 #11,382
2003 modern 401 #11,242
2004 modern 441 #10,474
2005 modern 477 #9,764
2006 modern 488 #9,648
2007 modern 490 #9,704
2008 modern 514 #9,445
2009 modern 557 #9,081
2010 modern 598 #8,802
2011 modern 554 #9,212
2012 modern 587 #8,746
2013 modern 587 #8,876
2014 modern 595 #8,857
2015 modern 578 #8,972
2016 modern 575 #8,995

Geography

Back to top

Where Oliviers are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around No data. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Kensington and Chelsea, Melton, Huntingdonshire, Richmondshire and Hammersmith and Fulham. Treat these as concentration signals, not proof that every family line began there.

Some modern areas include a three-digit suffix, such as Leeds 110. The suffix is a small-area code, so it stays in the table while the prose uses the plain place name.

Top historical parishes

Rank Parish Area
1 No data No data

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Kensington and Chelsea 006 Kensington and Chelsea
2 Melton 003 Melton
3 Huntingdonshire 005 Huntingdonshire
4 Richmondshire 002 Richmondshire
5 Hammersmith and Fulham 018 Hammersmith and Fulham

Forenames

Back to top

First names often paired with Olivier

These lists show first names that appear often with the Olivier surname in historical and recent records.

Modern profile

Back to top

Neighbourhood profile for Olivier

Modern surname records can be compared with neighbourhood classifications. For Olivier, 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

UK Output Area Classification

Supergroup

Multicultural and Educated Urbanites

Group

Diverse Educated Urban Singles

Nationally, the Olivier surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Diverse Educated Urban Singles, within Multicultural and Educated Urbanites. This does not mean every Olivier household fits that profile, but it gives a useful signal about where the modern surname distribution is strongest.

Read profile summary

Group profile

This Group includes many never-married individuals not living with dependent children. Many were born in EU countries and are now aged between 25-44. This Group is characterised by its ethnic group diversity, although those identifying as Asian are not well represented. Affiliation with the Christian religion amongst residents is low. Reported disability rates are low. Neighbourhoods include some central locations in London and other major cities. Private renting is the norm, and there is some overcrowding. Many individuals are educated to degree level, and full-time employment is common, particularly in managerial and professional occupations.

Wider pattern

Established populations comprising ethnic minorities together with persons born outside the UK predominate in this Supergroup. Residents present diverse personal characteristics and circumstances: while generally well-educated and practising skilled occupations, some residents live in overcrowded rental sector housing. English may not be the main language used by people in this Group. Although the typical adult resident is middle aged, single person households are common and marriage rates are low by national standards. This Supergroup predominates in Inner London, with smaller enclaves in many other densely populated metropolitan areas.

London neighbourhood type

London Output Area Classification

Supergroup

The Greater London Mix

Group

Social Rented Sector Professional Support Workers

Within London, Olivier is most associated with areas classed as Social Rented Sector Professional Support Workers, part of The Greater London Mix. This gives the surname a London-specific profile rather than forcing the capital into the same pattern as the rest of the country.

Read profile summary

Group profile

Mainly located in Inner London, these neighbourhoods retain a diverse employment structure, with some concentration in associated professional and technical occupations rather than skilled trades or construction. Social renting is more common and levels of homeownership are low. Many residents identify as Black. There is a lower than average rate of marriage or civil partnership, few that are very old (85 or over) and higher than average incidence of disability.

Wider London pattern

A Supergroup embodying London's diversity in many respects, apart from low numbers of residents identifying as of Bangladeshi, Indian, Pakistani or Other (non-Chinese) Asian ethnicity. There is lower than average prevalence of families with dependent children, while there are above average occurrences of never-married individuals and single-person households. The age distribution is skewed towards younger, single residents and couples without children, with many individuals identifying as of mixed or multiple ethnicity. Social rented or private rented housing is slightly more prevalent than average, and many residents live in flats. Individuals typically work in professional and associated roles in public administration, education or health rather than in elementary occupations in agriculture, energy, water, construction or manufacturing. Incidence of students is slightly below average. Individuals declaring no religion are more prevalent than average and non-use of English at home is below average.

Healthy neighbourhoods

Access to healthy assets and hazards

Olivier is most concentrated in decile 10 for access to healthy assets and hazards. This places the surname towards the healthier end of the index.

Lower deciles point towards weaker access to healthy assets or stronger exposure to local hazards. Higher deciles point towards stronger access and fewer hazards.

10
Lower access Higher access

Neighbourhood deprivation

Index of Multiple Deprivation

Olivier falls in decile 6 for neighbourhood deprivation. This puts the surname near the middle of the scale.

Decile 1 represents the more deprived end of the scale. Decile 10 represents the less deprived end.

6
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

The modern neighbourhood pattern for Olivier is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of 30-40 mbit/s.

The scale below places that band in context, from slower local download bands through to faster ones.

6
Slower band Faster band

Area snapshot

Ethnic group estimate

Most common ethnic group estimate
White - Other

This describes the area pattern most associated with Olivier, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.

Meaning and origin of Olivier

The surname Olivier is of French origin and can be traced back to the Middle Ages. It is derived from the Old French given name "Olivier," which itself comes from the Germanic name "Odolvriz." This name is composed of the elements "od" meaning wealth or heritage, and "frid" meaning peace.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Olivier appears in the famous Domesday Book of 1086, which was a survey commissioned by William the Conqueror. This document mentions a landowner named Olivier in the county of Lincolnshire, England.

In the 12th century, the name Olivier was particularly prevalent in the regions of Normandy and Brittany in northern France. It is believed to have been introduced to England after the Norman Conquest of 1066, as many Norman families settled in various parts of the country.

One notable historical figure with the surname Olivier was François Olivier (1497-1560), a French mathematician and philosopher who served as the Chancellor of France during the reign of King Henry II. Another was Sir Walter Olivier (1505-1568), an English soldier and diplomat who served as the Lord Deputy of Ireland during the mid-16th century.

In the 17th century, the name Olivier was also found in the records of the Dutch East India Company, as a number of Dutch settlers bearing this surname migrated to various colonies around the world, including South Africa and Indonesia.

Laurence Olivier (1907-1989) was a renowned English actor and director, widely regarded as one of the greatest performers of the 20th century. He won multiple Academy Awards and was knighted for his contributions to the performing arts.

Théodore Olivier (1793-1853) was a French naturalist and entomologist who made significant contributions to the study of insects, particularly beetles. His work on the classification and description of species was influential in the field of entomology.

These are just a few examples of notable individuals throughout history who carried the surname Olivier, showcasing its French origins and its historical presence in various parts of Europe and beyond.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

Back to top

Olivier families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Olivier surname. Use the location tables for concentration, then the name and occupation tables for the people behind the surname.

Top counties

Total is the county count. Frequency and index adjust for local population size, so they are better concentration signals. Middlesex leads with 22 Oliviers recorded in 1881 and an index of 3.05x.

County Total Index
Middlesex 22 3.05x
Wiltshire 14 21.94x
Channel Islands 8 37.42x
Berkshire 7 12.92x
Durham 7 3.26x
Surrey 7 1.99x
Kent 3 1.22x
Derbyshire 2 1.77x
Lancashire 2 0.23x
Angus 1 1.50x
Gloucestershire 1 0.71x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Wilton in Wiltshire leads with 8 Oliviers recorded in 1881 and an index of 1777.78x.

Place Total Index
Wilton 8 1777.78x
Bermondsey 7 32.59x
Gateshead 7 43.56x
Islington London 7 10.01x
Reading St Lawrence 7 603.45x
Poulshot 6 7500.00x
St Pancras London 5 8.61x
St Luke London 4 34.57x
St George Hanover 3 31.85x
St Helier 3 43.10x
St Owen 3 535.71x
Bethnal Green London 2 6.38x
Litchurch 2 43.96x
St Saviour 2 169.49x
Sutton At Hone 2 392.16x
Cheltenham 1 9.16x
Dundee 1 4.01x
Kearsley 1 55.56x
Moss Side 1 22.17x
Paddington London 1 3.77x
West Wickham 1 416.67x

Top female names

These are the female first names most often recorded with the Olivier surname in 1881. Names are not merged, so initials, variant spellings and transcription quirks can appear as separate rows.

Name Count
Mary 5
Alice 2
Edith 2
Eliza 2
Elizabeth 2
Emma 2
Harriet 2
Ann 1
Annie 1
Augusta 1
Beatrice 1
Bertram 1
Clara 1
D. 1
Elizebeth 1
Emily 1
Ester 1
Evelyna 1
Frances 1
J.Yrec. 1
Jane 1
Jeanette 1
Julia 1
Kate 1
Louise 1
M. 1
Marguerite 1
Maud 1
Nanet 1

Top male names

These are the male first names most often recorded with the Olivier surname in 1881. Names are not merged, so initials, variant spellings and transcription quirks can appear as separate rows.

Name Count
Henry 4
William 4
Alfred 3
Frederick 2
George 2
James 2
John 2
Joseph 2
Peter 2
Charles 1
Dacres 1
Ernest 1
Georges 1
Granville 1
H. 1
Herbert 1
Infant 1
N. 1
Reginald 1
Robert 1

FAQ

Olivier surname: questions and answers

How common was the Olivier surname in 1881?

In 1881, 66 people were recorded with the Olivier surname. That placed it at #24,256 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Olivier surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 575 in 2016. That gives Olivier a modern rank of #8,995.

What does the Olivier surname mean?

A French toponymic surname derived from the Latin olivarius, meaning "olive tree," referring to someone who lived near an olive grove.

What does the Olivier map show?

The map shows local surname concentration for the selected year. Darker areas have a stronger concentration of Olivier bearers relative to the surrounding population.

What records is this surname page based on?

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.