Last Name Olah

Learn more about the origin of the last name Olah

The meaning and origin of the last name Olah

The surname Olah originates from Hungary, where it is derived from the word "oláh," which means "Transylvanian Saxon" in Hungarian. This term was used to denote people of German descent who had migrated to Transylvania, a region that is now part of Romania, during the Middle Ages. Over time, as these families moved and settled in other parts of Europe and the world, the surname Olah became common among communities with Hungarian or Transylvanian Saxon ancestry. The name's literal translation in English would be "foreigner" or "non-local," reflecting the original status of the bearers as newcomers to Transylvania.

Geographical distribution of the last name Olah

The surname Olah has its roots in Hungary, where it is one of the most common last names, particularly in regions such as Transylvania and the Northern Great Plain. Its etymology originates from the Old Hungarian word 'olah' meaning 'Hungarian,' likely referring to a person who was originally from Hungary but settled elsewhere, such as the Ottoman Empire or other parts of Europe during historical migrations. Today, the Olah surname is also found among Hungarian diaspora communities in various countries, including the United States, Canada, and Australia. In Israel, it is commonly spelled Ulman or Ulstein due to Hebrew pronunciation conventions. Additionally, it appears in Romania, Slovakia, and other neighboring countries as a result of historical events like the Hungarian Revolution of 1848, when many Hungarians migrated to these regions.

Variants and spellings of the last name Olah

The surname Olah has multiple variations and spellings across different regions and languages. Some common variations include:

1. O'Laughlin - an anglicized version of the Irish Gaelic name Ó Laoghaire, meaning "descendant of Laoghair."
2. Olliver/Olver - Anglo-Norman French or Norman versions of the name Olaf (Old Norse for "ancestor's wolf").
3. Olaffson - a Scandinavian version of Olaf, used as both a surname and a given name in some parts of Norway.
4. Ulrich/Ulrik - derived from the Old High German name Ulrich, which is a compound of "ultra" (over) and "ric" (ruler or power). This may also be related to Olaf through assimilation over time.
5. Olahun - a Hungarian version of the name, which means "descendant of Olaf."
6. Olahee/Olai/Oláh - these variations are found in various languages, including Hebrew and Hungarian. In Hebrew, it may refer to someone from Jerusalem (Oleh), while in Hungarian, it can mean a convert to Christianity or someone from Transylvania.
7. Olauw/Olowo - these are African versions of the name Olaf, found among the Yoruba people of Nigeria and the Igbo people of eastern Nigeria.

Famous people with the last name Olah

Notable individuals bearing the surname Olah include:

1. George Olah, a Hungarian-American chemist who won the Nobel Prize in Chemistry in 1994 for his contributions to the development of superacids. He is also known for his work on organosulfur chemistry and solid-state physics.

2. Andrew Olah, a Canadian-Hungarian composer and musician, best recognized for creating the concept album "The Auralia" in 1973, which later became the basis for a successful stage musical.

3. Tibor Oláh, a Hungarian footballer who played as a forward for teams like Ferencvárosi TC and Videoton SC, and represented the Hungarian national team in several international competitions.

4. László Olah, a Hungarian-American mathematician who made significant contributions to set theory, functional analysis, topology, and mathematical logic. He is also known for his work on model theory.

5. Lajos Oláh, a Hungarian actor and director, considered one of the most influential figures in Hungarian theatre during the second half of the 20th century.

Genealogical research on the last name Olah

The surname Olah originates from Hungary and is derived from the occupational name for a potter, coming from the Old Hungarian word "olasz" meaning potter or brick maker. The name was brought to various European countries during migrations. In Hungary, the Olah family can be traced back to the medieval period, with some branches settling in Transylvania during the 15th century.

In Romania, the Olahs were primarily found in the regions of Maramureș and Bukovina, where they were involved in various professions such as farming, pottery, and craftsmanship. The Olah family also spread to other parts of Europe due to historical events like the Protestant Reformation, the Ottoman Empire invasions, and the Austro-Hungarian Empire's territorial changes.

The surname Olah can also be found in countries like the United States, Canada, Australia, and South Africa, as a result of European immigration during the 19th and early 20th centuries. Notable individuals bearing the name include Hungarian poet Mihály Babits (1883-1941) and Romanian painter Nicolae Grigorescu (1838-1907).

Last name distribution maps

Sources & References

• INSEE statistics on the surname "Olah"
• Global distribution of the surname on Forebears.io
• Wikipedia Article

About the author :

NomOrigine Team
Passionate about genealogy, name history, and linguistics, we have been analyzing the origins of names for over 3 years. Our content is based on verified historical, etymological, and statistical data.
Last updated : 23 July 2025