Olea Family History

Basque and Spanish: topographic name from Basque ola ‘forge ironworks’ (compare Ola) + the definite article -a.

Alternatively, it may be a habitational name from any of the places called Olea in the provinces of Cantabria, Palencia, and Burgos.

These regions are significant, as Basque was spoken in pre-Roman times.

It is likely that the name Olea is derived from the same Basque elements.

This etymology highlights the connection between geographical locations and their linguistic origins.