OLIVA
Oliva
Definition
Oliva is a British surname of Italian origin, derived from the Latin word for "olive tree". It is a toponymic surname, which means it is derived from a geographical location. In this case, it likely originated in an area with olive trees or where olives were cultivated.
History
The Oliva surname is thought to have been brought to Britain by Italian immigrants, possibly during the Roman occupation or at a later period when there were trade and cultural exchanges between Italy and Britain. Over time, the surname would have been Anglicised and adopted by British families.
Distribution
The Oliva surname is relatively rare in the United Kingdom, with most occurrences found in regions with historical connections to Italy or significant Italian communities, such as London, Manchester, and Liverpool. It is more common in areas with a history of immigration and diverse populations.
Notable Individuals
- John Oliva (b. 1965): Renowned artist known for his abstract paintings inspired by Italian Renaissance art.
- Sophie Oliva (b. 1980): Notable chef and cookbook author specialising in Mediterranean cuisine, particularly dishes featuring olives.
Variants
Variants of the Oliva surname include Oliveira, Olivieri, and Olivas.
References
- Hanks, P., Coates, R., & McClure, P. (2016). The Oxford Dictionary of Family Names in Britain and Ireland. Oxford University Press.
- Redmonds, G. (2014). Surnames, DNA, and Family History. Oxford University Press.
There are approximately 289 people named Oliva in the UK. That makes it one of Britain's least common surnames. Only around four in a million people in Britain are named Oliva.
Origin: Iberian
Region of origin: Europe
Country of origin: Spain
Religion of origin: Christian
Language of origin: Spanish
Typical given names associated with the surname
Male
- Aaron
- Anthony
- Antonio
- Daniel
- Daniele
- David
- Giovanni
- Giuseppe
- Guiseppe
- Ian
- Jeremias
- Joseph
- Michael
- Umberto
Female
- Ana
- Anna
- Bernadette
- Carla
- Elena
- Jenny
- Joan
- Linda
- Maria
- Mary
- Michelle
- Susan
- Tracey
Similar and related surnames
Related and similar names are generated algorithmically based on the spelling, and may not necessarily share an etymology.