OLIVE ANDERSON

Originally a medieval given name, Oliff(e), derived via French from the Late Latin name Oliva, which was borne by two obscure early saints. It in turn is derived from the Latin name for the olive tree, and was no doubt adopted at first because of the associations of the olive tree with peaceful productivity and fruitfulness; the olive branch has been a symbol of peace since biblical times. Like many names denoting plants and flowers, it was particularly popular in the early decades of the 20th century. See also Olivia.

Scottish and northern English: very common patronymic from the personal name Ander(s), a northern Middle English form of Andrew. See also Andreas. The frequency of the surname in Scotland is attributable, at least in part, to the fact that St. Andrew is the patron saint of Scotland, so the personal name has long enjoyed great popularity there. Legend has it that the saint's relics were taken to Scotland in the 4th century by a certain St. Regulus. The surname was brought independently to North America by many different bearers and was particularly common among 18th-century Scotch-Irish settlers in PA and VA. In the United States, it has absorbed many cognate or likesounding names in other European languages, notably Swedish Andersson, Norwegian and Danish Andersen, but also Ukrainian Andreychyn, Hungarian Andrásfi, etc.