Follow
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