Olney

Olney is a place name that may refer to several locations in the United Kingdom and the United States, as well as a surname. The best-known instances are Olney in Buckinghamshire, England, and Olney, Maryland, in the United States.

Olney, Buckinghamshire, is a historic market town and civil parish on the River Great Ouse in central Buckinghamshire. It is noted for its connections to the poet William Cowper and the hymn writer John Newton through the Olney Hymns, and for its traditional town center and parish church.

Olney, Maryland, is a residential community in Montgomery County that forms part of the Washington, D.C. metropolitan area. It features a local theatre corridor and a number of small businesses along its central corridors, reflecting a village-like character within the suburban region.

Olney, Illinois, is a small city in Richland County. It serves as a local service center for surrounding rural areas and is known for its regional amenities and community events.

As a surname, Olney is found in English-speaking countries and has been borne by various individuals in public life, academia, and the arts. The name is associated with multiple places beyond the three most widely known Olneys, reflecting its broader use as a toponym and family name.