Oliver is a surname of English origin, derived from the Old French name Olivier. It was originally a given name meaning “olive tree”. The name became popular in England after the Norman Conquest in 1066. Notable people with the surname Oliver include the English general Oliver Cromwell, American politician Oliver Wendell Holmes Jr., and British actress Susan Oliver. Today, the surname Oliver is among the most common surnames in English-speaking countries, and is often used as a first name as well.
