Surname Olmsted - Meaning and Origin

Olmsted: What does the surname Olmsted mean?

The last name Olmsted is of Anglo-Saxon origin and is derived from the Old English words "aelf" (elf) and "maest" (mighty). This means that those with this surname are believed to have descended from a powerful elf.

Over the centuries, the spelling of the name has changed, with some variants including Olmsted, Olmstede, Olmstady, Olmstid and Olmstede.

The family name is believed to have originated in the English county of Yorkshire, and its bearers were found in large numbers in that region in the Middle Ages.

Olmsteds have a long and distinguished history in the United States. Among the earliest immigrants to arrive in America with this surname are Edward Olmsted, who settled in Massachusetts in 1620 and Roger Olmsted, who arrived in Virginia in 1635.

Olmsteds are often associated with notable accomplishments. Notable people with this name include, landscape architect Frederick Law Olmsted, the designer of Central Park in New York City, and journalist Christopher Olmsted, who was highly respected for his work in the field of investigative journalism.

The Olmsted surname is an inspiring reminder for those descended from it of the power of determination, and the importance of hard work for achieving success. It encompasses a proud lineage that continues to this day, and those who still share the Olmsted name can be proud of their distinguished roots.

Olmsted: Where does the name Olmsted come from?

The last name Olmsted is most commonly found today in the United States and parts of Canada. According to the US Census Bureau, there were about 6,800 households with the last name Olmsted in the United States as of 2020, with the majority of them residing in the Northeast and Midwest regions. Interestingly, the majority of those with the name Olmsted are white and of European ancestry.

People with the surname Olmsted are descended from the family of Frederick Law Olmsted, the renowned landscape architect and urban planner, who was born in Hartford, Connecticut in 1822. He is well-known for designing Central Park in New York City and Proceedings Park in Brooklyn. During the 19th century, the Olmsted name spread from the Eastern Seaboard into the Midwest, while other American Olmsteds can trace their roots to a Swedish immigrant named Jonas Olmsted, who was one of the earliest settlers in New Sweden, Maine, in the mid-1600s.

In modern times, the name Olmsted is still quite common in American culture, with many carrying on the same values as Frederick Law Olmsted of building towns and cities that are beautiful and safe for all citizens. The name can also be found in the architecture profession, with many modern landscape architects inspired by Frederick Law Olmsted's work.

Variations of the surname Olmsted

The surname Olmsted is of Scandinavian origin and can be spelled in several different ways, including Olmstead, Olmstedt, Olmstede, Olmstfort, Alstead, Holstead, Ulmsted, Ulmstedt, and Ulmstead. It is also listed as a patronymic name, meaning it has been passed down from father to son, and can be seen as Olson or Olsen in many cases.

The origin of the name comes from the Old Norse “ulmstathr”, which means an “enclosed meadow” or “field surrounded by a fence or hedge”. It could also come from the place name Ulmstad, which was a village in medieval Norway.

During the Viking era, this surname became popular in Sweden, Norway, and Iceland, where it is commonly seen as Olmsted, Olmstedt, and Ulmsted. It was also adopted by other Scandinavian countries such as Denmark, Finland, and the Faroe Islands.

When the Olmsteds emigrated to the United States in the 19th century, their name was often changed to fit the English dialect. This led to a number of different spellings such as Olmstead, Olmstede, and Olmstfort. It is also common to see the Ulmsted and Alstead variations, the latter being similar to the Danish name Alsted.

No matter the coloquial spelling of the surname, all variations are derived from the same Old Norse word and carry the same meaning—“enclosed meadow”.

Famous people with the name Olmsted

• Frederick Law Olmsted: He was America's pioneer landscape architect and the designer of iconic greenspaces such as Central Park, Prospect Park in Brooklyn, the Boston Common and Commonwealth Avenue Mall, and Lafayette Park in Washington, DC.
• John Charles Olmsted: He was one of the founder of the landscape architecture profession, collaborating with his stepbrother, Frederick Law Olmsted, Jr., in the Olmsted Brothers firm.
• Frederick Law Olmsted, Jr.: He was an American landscape architect and early employee of the United States National Park Service. The son of famous landscape architect Frederick Law Olmsted, he worked with his step-brother John Charles Olmsted to form the firm of Olmsted Brothers to operate as landscape architects.
• David E. Olmsted: He is currently a radio host, musician, and singer. He gained notoriety in the mid-90s with his metal band Dies Irae.
• Thomas Olmsted: He is an American prelate of the Roman Catholic Church who currently serves as the Bishop of the Diocese of Phoenix, Arizona.
• Mary Parker Buckner Olmsted: She was a women's rights advocate who worked for suffrage in Arizona.
• Isaac Heath Olmsted: He was an astronomer and professor of astronomy at the University of California, Berkeley.
• Mary Olmsted: She was a painter and member of the Fresno Art Colony, an influential group of Californian impressionists.
• Austin Olmsted: He is an American organic farmer and innovator in sustainable agriculture.
• John Olmsted: He was an American landscape architect and planner who specialized in designing greenways and parks.

Other surnames

OlmsteadOlmstede