Olsson

Olsson is a Swedish surname of patronymic origin meaning "son of Olle" or "son of Olaf." It derives from the given name Ol(le)/Olaf, itself from Old Norse Óláfr. The suffix -sson is a standard Swedish patronymic marker that later became a fixed family surname.

In Sweden, Olsson is among the most common surnames, reflecting the historical practice of creating family names from a father's given name. The name is also found among Swedish-speaking populations in Finland and in immigrant communities abroad, particularly in North America and the United Kingdom.

Variants and related forms include Olsen in Danish and Norwegian, Olafsson in Icelandic, and Olson in Anglophone contexts. In many cases, Olsson has been anglicized or altered upon emigration, leading to several spellings in different countries.

Notable bearers with the surname span many fields, including sports, science, and the arts. The name's prevalence and mobility illustrate the broader Nordic patronymic naming heritage.