Olson

Olson is a surname of Scandinavian origin derived from the given name Olaf. The form Olson is a patronymic, meaning "son of Olaf" or "descendant of Olaf." The name occurs in Norwegian and Swedish forms, such as Olsen, Olsson, and Olavsson, with Olson being the common anglicized variant in English-speaking countries.

As a surname, Olson is widespread in the United States, reflecting immigration from Nordic regions in the 19th and 20th centuries. It is also found in Canada and other countries with Nordic heritage. The spelling Olson is one of several variants; others include Olsen (Danish/Norwegian) and Olsson (Swedish).

In addition to its use as a surname, Olson appears in place names in North America, including towns, counties, and geographic features named after early settlers or local families. It can also be found in company names and organizations named after individuals with the surname.