The Oliver surname is English, Scottish, Welsh, and German. From the Old French given name of Olivier, it came to England by the Normans from France in 1066. It was popular throughout Europe in the Middle Ages. The name can also refer to an ‘olive tree.’

Another accepted spelling is .

Most Oliver families came from Ireland and England. In England a large population of Oliver families lived in Yorkshire and Durham counties and then in the London area.

Within the United States the Oliver families lived in Ohio, Virginia, , New York, Pennsylvania, Texas, Alabama, Georgia, California and Illinois.

In the 1880s most families with the Oliver surname worked as farmers.

Famous: Hugh Oliver (singer-songwriter), Isaac Oliver (17thcentury French-born English portrait miniature painter), Jamie Oliver (British celebrity chef), Joe ’King’ Oliver (early 20thcentury African-American jazz musician and bandleader), Melvin D. Oliver (professional football player with San Francisco 49s), Peter Oliver (17thcentury English miniaturist painter), Tommy Oliver (musician), William Oliver (18thcentury physician and philanthropist, inventor of the "Bath Oliver" biscuit), Michael Oliver (founder of the Republic of Minerva), James Harrison Oliver (19thcentury Rear Admiral in the U.S. Navy), Harry Oliver (American humorist) and John Oliver (British political comedian).