Olesen

Olesen is a Danish patronymic surname meaning "son of Ole." The name Ole is a Danish and Norwegian form of Olaf, which derives from the Old Norse name Áleifr. This name is composed of the elements anu "ancestor" and leif "inheritance, legacy," thus meaning "ancestor's descendant." Olaf was a name borne by five kings of Norway, including Saint Olaf (Olaf II), who played a key role in the Christianization of the country.

Distribution and Variants

Olesen is most common in Denmark, where it ranks among the more frequent surnames. The variant Olsen is the Danish-Norwegian equivalent, while Swedish forms include Olsson, Olofsson, and Olofsdotter. Immigrants to English-speaking countries often anglicized the spelling to Olson to conform to English orthographic rules.

Notable Bearers

Notable individuals with the name Olesen include Aase Olesen (1934–2013), a Danish politician; Annelise Damm Olesen (born 1942), a Danish middle-distance runner; and Lars Olesen, a Danish football player. The related surname Olsen is held by many famous figures, such as Angel Olsen, Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen, and the Olsen Brothers, a Danish band.

• Meaning: son of Ole
• Origin: Denmark (patronymic)
• Type: Surname
• Usage Regions: Denmark and among Danish diaspora