Surname Ollivant - Meaning and Origin
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Ollivant: What does the surname Ollivant mean?
The surname Ollivant is believed to be of English origin, likely derived from the personal name Oliver. Over time and with linguistic variations, the name Oliver was transformed to Ollivant. Name derivations were common due to the lack of standardized spelling in medieval times. The name Oliver was popular due to St. Oliver, a martyr who was highly revered. Alternatively, the surname could also be of French origin, as the name Oliver was a common personal name during the Norman Conquest of England in the 11th century. The exact meaning of Ollivant is uncertain, but the name Oliver itself is derived from the Old French 'Olivier', and later from the Latin 'Olivarius', meaning 'olive tree'. Thus, in a symbolic sense, the name Ollivant could be associated with peace and fruitfulness as the olive tree is known to represent these traits across different cultures. However, it's important to note that these interpretations and origin theories aren't definitively proven and may vary across different sources.
Order DNA origin analysisOllivant: Where does the name Ollivant come from?
The last name Ollivant is most commonly found in the United Kingdom, where it is especially concentrated in the counties of Cheshire, Devon, Cumbria, and Lancashire.
The first record of the Ollivant surname dates back to 1246, when a Roger Ollivant was documented in Cheshire. The people with this surname were historically associated with small-scale agriculture. During the 1300s, they were landholders, mostly in the counties of Cheshire, Devon, and Lancashire.
Ollivant is also a commonly found surname in Australia. People with this surname may have relatives who immigrated to Australia from the United Kingdom. It is also possible that they are descendants of convicts exiled to Australia between the 18th and 19th centuries. Finally, it is possible that the Ollivant surname in Australia originated from First Nations people who adopted it after being displayed by British colonialists.
In short, the last name Ollivant is most commonly found today in the United Kingdom and Australia. It can be linked back to the 13th century in Britain and to the British colonialers in Australia.
Variations of the surname Ollivant
The surname Ollivant is a patronymic name, which means that it is derived from someone's father's given name. The original spelling of the name is Olyfant, and variations of this spelling are Olyphant, Olivant, and Olifant. Variations of the spelling Ollivant include Ollivande, Olivant, Olivante, Olivandy, Ollifaunt, Olyfaunt, Olyvant, and Ollifant.
The variations in the spellings of the name are a result of dialectal differences as well as differing cultural backgrounds. The spellings Olivante and Olivante are most closely linked to French speaking regions. In addition, the spelling Olyfaunt and Olyvant are more likely to be found in English speaking countries. The surname can also be found with regional variations, such as Ollivander in Somerset, or Ollifaunt in Ireland.
Variants of the surname Ollivant have also been found in other countries where the name has spread from its original location. In Scotland, surnames that are cognate to the surname Ollivant include Oliphant, MacOlivant, Olfant, Olifaunt and Elsighted. In Germany, cognate names include Olschewski and Oelschl ügel. Other surnames linked to the Ollivant surname are Oelofse and Olyfant in South Africa, and Olivetti in Italy
In conclusion, there are many variations of the surname Ollivant, including spelling variations and variants in different countries. The surname originates from a patronymic name which is derived from someone's father's given name. Variations of the spelling Ollivant include Ollivande, Olivant, Olivante, Olivandy, Olyfaunt, Olyvant, and Ollifant. Other surnames linked to the Ollivant surname are Oelofse, Olyfant, Oliphant, MacOlivant, Olfant, Olifaunt, Olschewski, Oelschlügel, Olivetti, and Elsighted.
Famous people with the name Ollivant
- Rob Ollivant: Former British Army Colonel and Iraq War veteran.
- Ernie Ollivant: Former British football (soccer) player and manager.
- Louis Ollivant: French novelist and playwright.
- Auguste Ollivant: French artist and sculptor.
- William Ollivant: American clergyman and author.
- John Ollivant: British army officer and politician.
- Gustav Ollivant: French diplomat and officer in Second World War.
- Walter Ollivant: Member of the British Parliament from 1885 to 1895.
- Cora Ollivant: American actress and vocalist.
- Alvar Ollivant: English journalist.