History of your Surname
Get access to Olsen family records.Start a 14-Day Free Trial

Olsen Family History

Olsen Surname Meaning

Danish and Norwegian: patronymic from the personal name Ole a short form of Olaf Olav (see Olafsen ). This surname is the third most common in Norway. It is also established in northeastern England and in northern Germany. Compare Ohlsen Olesen Oleson and Olson . German (Ölsen): habitational name from any of several places so named in Saxony Brandenburg and the Rhineland.

Source: Dictionary of American Family Names 2nd edition, 2022


Similar surnames: Osen, Olden, Elsen, Lien, Ohlsen, Olen, Glen, Kolden, Pollen, Elden

Search for a relative to learn more about your family history.

Hint: Try searching for a relative alive in 1940.

Black & white image of a young woman scientist

Where is the Olsen family from?

You can see how Olsen families moved over time by selecting different census years. The Olsen family name was found in the USA, the UK, Canada, and Scotland between 1840 and 1920. The most Olsen families were found in USA in 1920. In 1840 there were 2 Olsen families living in Indiana. This was about 40% of all the recorded Olsen's in USA. Indiana had the highest population of Olsen families in 1840.
Use census records and voter lists to see where families with the Olsen surname lived. Within census records, you can often find information like name of household members, ages, birthplaces, residences, and occupations.

What did your Olsen ancestors do for a living?

In 1940, Laborer and Stenographer were the top reported jobs for men and women in the USA named Olsen. 9% of Olsen men worked as a Laborer and 8% of Olsen women worked as a Stenographer. Some less common occupations for Americans named Olsen were Salesman and Clerk. .

View Census Data for Olsen | Data not to scale

*We display top occupations by gender to maintain their historical accuracy during times when men and women often performed different jobs.

Top Male Occupations In 1940

  • Laborer
    9%
  • Farmer
    9%
  • Carpenter
    7%
  • Salesman
    5%

Top Female Occupations In 1940

  • Stenographer
    8%
  • Housewife
    7%
  • Maid
    6%
  • Clerk
    6%
Black & white image of two construction labourers

What Olsen family records will you find?

Census Records

There are 309,000 census records available for the last name Olsen. Like a window into their day-to-day life, Olsen census records can tell you where and how your ancestors worked, their level of education, veteran status, and more.

Search US census records for Olsen

Passenger Lists

There are 293,000 immigration records available for the last name Olsen. Passenger lists are your ticket to knowing when your ancestors arrived in the USA, and how they made the journey - from the ship name to ports of arrival and departure.

View all Olsen immigration records

Draft Cards

There are 57,000 military records available for the last name Olsen. For the veterans among your Olsen ancestors, military collections provide insights into where and when they served, and even physical descriptions.

View all Olsen military records

You've only scratched the surface of Olsen family history

Discover More

What is the average Olsen lifespan?

Between 1941 and 2004, in the United States, Olsen life expectancy was at its lowest point in 1943, and highest in 1991. The average life expectancy for Olsen in 1941 was 33, and 76 in 2004.

View Social Security Death Index (SSDI) for Olsen

Discover the unique achievements of ancestors in the Olsen family tree

Explore Your Tree

Browse profiles of historical people with the Olsen last name

Search for another surname
Enter last name/surname
Start a 14-Day Free Trial