Surname Oldson - Meaning and Origin
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Oldson: What does the surname Oldson mean?
The surname Oldson is of English origin, derived from the combination of the words "old" and "son." Its exact meaning can vary, but it generally implies "son of the elder" or "son of the old one." This could potentially refer to the eldest son in a family, or the son of an elder or respected figure within a community. However, it's crucial to note that the original meaning may have evolved or become less significant over time. Much like other surnames following a similar pattern, such as "Johnson" or "Richardson," Oldson is a form of a patronymic name, a name bestowed based on the person's father or a paternal ancestor's characteristics or qualities. Thus, while Oldson now serves as a family name to identify familial connections, it originally may have had a more descriptive purpose within a community.
Order DNA origin analysisOldson: Where does the name Oldson come from?
The surname Oldson is a Scandinavian surname, thought to have originated from the Old Norse word ‘sonr,’ which translates to ‘son.’ This surname is found in England, Scandinavia, and numerous other countries around the world.
Today, Oldson is most commonly found in Scandinavian countries, such as Norway and Sweden. This is due to the strong historical connection between these countries and the Old Norse language. In Norway, for instance, Oldson is the 78th most common surname. It's also common in Denmark, although not as popular as in Norway.
In the United States, there are approximately 6,000 people who bear the surname Oldson. It’s most common in Minnesota, where it is the 826th most popular surname, followed by Colorado. In other countries, such as Canada, Australia, and the United Kingdom, the name is far less common.
In summary, the Oldson name today is most commonly found in Scandinavia and the United States, but it can also be found in other countries around the world.
Variations of the surname Oldson
The surname Oldson has several variants, spellings, and surnames of the same origin. Common variants include Oldsen, Oleson, Olson, Olsson, and Oleson.
The surname Oldson is most likely an altered spelling of the German and Scandinavian surname "Olson". This surname originated from the same root which gave rise to the English surname "Olsen". The name Olson was first recorded in 1290 and was derived from the Old Norse word 'ol', which meant descendant or heir. The original form of the name was then altered with the addition of the word 'sonen', which is the suffix denoting descent or son. Thus, Oldson was originally a patronymic name, referring to the son of Ol or Olsen.
In Scandinavian countries, the form 'Olsson' is extremely common. The variant "Oleson" first appeared in the mid-1700s, when Scandinavian settlers in the United States began to spell their family names in a more English-style. 'Oldsen' is a variation of the popular German and Scandanavian surname 'Olsen'; and 'Olson' is thought to derive either from a person who worked as an 'ol', which is an old Norse word for ale or beer, or from the word 'vit', which means white in Old Norse.
Thus, the surname Oldson can be found in a variety of forms, including Oldsen, Oleson, Olson, Olsson, and Oleson. Each variant of the name has its own unique history and connotations within its respective country, reflecting its own ancient ancestral heritage.
Famous people with the name Oldson
- Brad Oldson: former professional baseball player turned actor
- Paul Oldson: former professional basketball player turned coach
- Grant Oldson: former professional football player turned broadcaster
- Christopher Oldson: actor and television producer
- Charles Oldson: actor and musician
- Richard Oldson: actor, director, and writer
- William Oldson: actor and comedian
- David Oldson: actor and comedian
- Robert Oldson: actor and voice actor
- Harry Oldson: actor and screenwriter
- Anna Oldson: actress and producer
- Betsy Oldson: actress and model
- Ryan Oldson: actor and filmmaker
- Edward Oldson: professional golfer
- Thomas Oldson: professional golfer
- Steven Oldson: professional tennis player
- Kenneth Oldson: novelist and poet
- Sarah Oldson: singer and songwriter
- Mark Oldson: composer and musician
- Jeff Oldson: race car driver and engineer