Olsen [ˈoːˀlsn̩] is a Danish-Norwegian patronymic surname meaning "son of Ole". The surname Olesen [ˈoːləsn] has a similar origin. The Swedish parallel form is Olsson – "son of Ola". Danish and Norwegian immigrants to English-speaking countries often changed the spelling to Olson in order to accommodate English orthographic rules.
Notable people with the surname include:
Anton Olsen, Spanish-American War Medal of Honor recipient
Ben Olsen (born 1977), American soccer player
Bjørnar Olsen Norwegian archaeologist
Brian Olsen (born 1975), American mixed martial artist
Carsten Olsen, Danish plant ecologist and physiologist
Charles Olsen, American poet renowned for his provocative style and large body of works
Frances Olsen (born 1945), American law professor at UCLA, feminist law scholar.
Greg Olsen (disambiguation), multiple people
Gregory Olsen (born 1945), American entrepreneur and scientist, space tourist
Harold Olsen (1895–1953), American college sports coach
Helle Olson, better known as Helle Helle, Danish writer born 1965
Jens Olsen (1872–1945), Danish clockmaker and locksmith
John Olsen (born 1928), Australian artist
John Olsen, 42nd Premier of South Australia
Ken Olsen (1926–2011), American engineer, co-founder of Digital Equipment Corporation
Kristoffer Olsen (1883–1948), a Norwegian sailor who competed in the 1920 Summer Olympics
Larry Olsen (disambiguation), multiple people
Lisa Olsen (born 1956), Canadian skydiver
Martin Olsen, Danish boxer
Merlin Olsen, Hall of Fame NFL American football player and TV color commentator
Michael Olsen (disambiguation), multiple people
Niels Olsen, original name of Cornelius Cruys, 17th Century Norwegian-Dutch admiral in the Russian service
Ole Olsen (disambiguation), multiple people
Peder Olsen Walløe (1716–1793), Danish-Norwegian Arctic explorer
Penelope Diane Olsen, Australian ornithologist and author
Peter B. Olsen (1848–1926), American politician
Robin Olsen, (born 1990), Swedish football goalkeeper
Scott Olsen (born 1984), American Major League Baseball pitcher for the Florida Marlins
Súni Olsen, a Faroese football player
Tillie Olsen (1912–2007), American writer, feminist, and political activist
Viktor Olsen (born 1924), Norwegian long-distance runner
Olsen (first name?) A controversial 19th century cartographer and Danish nationalist (see Duchy of Schleswig#Name and naming dispute)