Last Names

Surnames / O

Olvera

What is the origin of the last name Olvera?

Spanish originLocational (a place or landscape)Rank #1,275 in the US

Meaning and origin

The last name Olvera is of Spanish origin, derived from the place name Olvera, which is a small town located in the province of Cadiz in the Andalusia region of southern Spain. The name Olvera has deep historical roots in this region and is believed to have stemmed from the Arabic word "al-Bari" meaning "the creator." Over time, the spelling and pronunciation of the name evolved, resulting in the surname Olvera as we know it today.

The longer story

The last name Olvera has Spanish origins and is primarily found in Mexico and the United States.

Olvera is believed to have originated from the Latin word "oleum" meaning "oil." The town of Olvera in the province of Cádiz, Spain, is known for its olive oil production, which suggests a potential connection between the name and the olive industry. This association with olive oil may indicate that the surname Olvera was originally given to people involved in the cultivation, processing, or trade of olives.

The Olvera surname is prevalent in Mexico, particularly in the states of Jalisco, Guanajuato, and Michoacán where it has a long-standing presence. Mexican immigration to the United States has resulted in the dispersal of the Olvera surname across various regions, particularly in California, Texas, and Illinois.

Surname origins are rarely settled: one spelling can have several sources, and families often took a name for reasons nobody wrote down. Check it against the sources below before you rely on it.

#1,275

Olvera was the 1,275th most common surname in the 2010 US Census, with 27,551 people, about 8.9 in every 100,000.

Who carries it

  • White (non-Hispanic)4.3%
  • Hispanic or Latino95.1%
  • Black (non-Hispanic)0.1%
  • Asian or Pacific Islander0.1%
  • Two or more races0.1%
  • American Indian or Alaska Native0.2%

Where it is found

Countries linked to Olvera.

Surnames like Olvera

Names it is linked with, then names with the same origin and a similar standing.

Check the sources

For a name you are serious about, compare the dictionaries: Reaney and Wilson, A Dictionary of English Surnames; Hanks, Dictionary of American Family Names.