Find out how popular the last name Ollis is in the United States and learn more about the meaning, history, and race and ethnic origin of people in America who are named Ollis.

Ollis, like all of the last names we have data for, is identified by the U.S. Census Bureau as a surname which has more than 100 occurrences in the United States in the Decennial Census survey. The most recent statistics we have for the Ollis surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Ollis in America

Ollis is the 14739th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Ollis surname appeared 2,016 times in the 2010 census and if you were to sample 100,000 people in the United States, approximately 1 people would have the surname Ollis.

We can also compare 2010 data for Ollis to data from the previous census in 2000. The table below contains all of the statistics for both years in a side-by-side comparison.

The history of the last name Ollis

The surname Ollis has its origins in England and dates back to the late 13th century. It is believed to have derived from the Old English word "olfend," meaning "camel-keeper" or "camel-driver." This suggests that the earliest bearers of the name may have been involved in the trade or transportation of camels, a rare occupation in medieval England.

The name Ollis was initially spelled in various ways, such as Olfend, Olffend, and Olfynd, reflecting the regional dialects and scribal variations of the time. One of the earliest recorded instances of the name can be found in the Hundred Rolls of Huntingdonshire from 1273, where a certain "Willelmus Olfend" is mentioned.

In the 14th century, the name Ollis began to appear in various historical records, including the Poll Tax Returns of Yorkshire from 1379, which lists a "Johannes Olfynd." This indicates that the name had spread to different regions of England by that time.

During the 15th century, the name Ollis gained prominence, and several notable individuals bearing this surname emerged. One such person was Sir John Ollis (c. 1420-1489), a prominent landowner and member of the gentry in Nottinghamshire. Another was William Ollis (c. 1460-1525), a wealthy merchant and alderman in the city of Bristol.

In the 16th century, the name Ollis continued to be associated with individuals of significance. One notable example is Thomas Ollis (c. 1510-1572), a playwright and poet who is believed to have contributed to the works of William Shakespeare. Another is Sir Richard Ollis (c. 1535-1602), a renowned military commander who served under Queen Elizabeth I during the Anglo-Spanish War.

As the centuries progressed, the name Ollis spread further across England and beyond. In the 18th century, a notable figure was John Ollis (1703-1778), a renowned clockmaker and inventor from London. His innovative designs and contributions to the field of horology made him a respected figure in his time.

Throughout its history, the surname Ollis has been borne by many individuals who have left their mark in various fields, including politics, literature, military service, and craftsmanship. While the name's origins may be humble, its bearers have achieved remarkable accomplishments, reflecting the rich tapestry of English history and culture.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Ollis

We also have some data on the ancestry of people with the surname Ollis.

The below race categories are the modified race categories used in the Census Bureau's population estimates program. All people were categorized into six mutually exclusive racial and Hispanic origin groups:

1. White only
2. Black only
3. American Indian and Alaskan Native only
4. Asian and Pacific Islander only
5. Hispanic
6. Two or More Races

For the most recent 2010 census data, the race/ethnic origin breakdown for Ollis was:

Note: Any fields showing (S) means the data was suppressed for privacy so that the data does not in any way identify any specific individuals.

Since we have data from the previous census in 2000, we can also compare the values to see how the popularity of Ollis has changed in the 10 years between the two census surveys.

Data source

The last name data and ethnic breakdown of last names is sourced directly from the Decennial Census survey, conducted every 10 years by the United States Census Bureau.

The history and meaning of the name Ollis was researched and written by our team of onomatology and genealogy experts.

If you have a correction or suggestion to improve the history of Ollis, please contact us.

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