Olssen Name Meaning, Origin and Heraldry

Ancestors listed as Olssen are often found as Olsen a generation earlier. In origin, the name means “Son of Ole (Olaf)”.

• Olssen adds “s” to Olsen, a small change that appeared as the name was written down.
• You may also find the name written Ohlsen, Olesen and Ohlson.
• Regional accents shaped spellings long before dictionaries fixed them.

Arms associated with the name

Looking for an Olssen coat of arms? Arms were granted to families, not to surnames, and our research shows which heraldic tradition fits yours. For the full story, order the Olssen surname pack.