Oliveri
An Italian surname usually understood as a patronymic meaning “descendant of Oliver.”
The #9,667 most common surname in the United States (2010 Census) — about 1 in every 91,971 Americans shares it.
Etymology
Oliveri is the Italian plural patronymic form of the personal name Oliver, ultimately from medieval Latin and Old French forms related to the olive tree. In surname use, it most often meant “the family of Oliver” or “sons of Oliver,” rather than directly referring to olives themselves. The personal name became widespread in medieval Europe through literary and religious influence, and the Italian surname preserves that given-name origin.
History
The name is especially associated with Italy, where patronymic family names in -i are common. English historical material also shows the personal name Oliver in medieval records, which helps explain how surnames built from it arose independently in more than one language area. In the United States, Oliveri is most often found among families of Italian descent.
Origin
Regions
Variant spellings
Fun fact
The given name Oliver was helped along in medieval Europe by the fame of Charlemagne’s legendary paladin Olivier in the chanson de geste tradition.
From the historical record
“' Persona de Hassell tenet de feod' Pet' fil. Oliveri, <<lC.,' co. Oxf., ia73. ^' John de Hassell, co. Oxf., ioid. Oliver de Hassell. co. Oxf., ibid.”
— A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames (alternate scan)