6,467 Global OLIVE Family Members

OLIVE Family History

Recorded in many forms including Olave, Olive, Olivia, Olivie, Olivet, Olivey, Olliff, Olliffe, Ollive, this is a surname recorded throughout Europe. It is a Crusader 12th century name, (see below), the derivation being from the Roman (Latin) word "oliva", meaning the olive tree and its fruit, and hence was originally given to a person who owned an orchard. Since ancient times the olive has been regarded as a symbol of peace, and legend links the olive branch with Noah and the Dove - a symbol of God's reconcilation with man after the Great Flood.