History of your Surname
Get access to Oly family records.Start a free trial

Oly Family History

Oly Name Meaning

Historically, surnames evolved as a way to sort people into groups - by occupation, place of origin, clan affiliation, patronage, parentage, adoption, and even physical characteristics (like red hair). Many of the modern surnames in the dictionary can be traced back to Britain and Ireland.


Similar surnames: Bly, Ory, Old, Olm, Olk, Ola, Oley, Olp, Ely, Fly

Search for a relative to learn more about your family history.

Hint: Try searching for a relative alive in 1940.

Black & white image of a young woman scientist

Where is the Oly family from?

You can see how Oly families moved over time by selecting different census years. The Oly family name was found in the USA, and Canada between 1880 and 1920. The most Oly families were found in USA in 1880. In 1880 there were 12 Oly families living in Ohio. This was about 35% of all the recorded Oly's in USA. Ohio had the highest population of Oly families in 1880.
Use census records and voter lists to see where families with the Oly surname lived. Within census records, you can often find information like name of household members, ages, birthplaces, residences, and occupations.

What did your Oly ancestors do for a living?

Census records can tell you a lot of little known facts about your Oly ancestors, such as occupation. Occupation can tell you about your ancestor's social and economic status.

What Oly family records will you find?

Census Records

There are 493 census records available for the last name Oly. Like a window into their day-to-day life, Oly census records can tell you where and how your ancestors worked, their level of education, veteran status, and more.

Search UK census records for Oly

Passenger Lists

There are 199 immigration records available for the last name Oly. Passenger lists are your ticket to knowing when your ancestors arrived in the UK, and how they made the journey - from the ship name to ports of arrival and departure.

View all Oly immigration records

Draft Cards

There are 131 military records available for the last name Oly. For the veterans among your Oly ancestors, military collections provide insights into where and when they served, and even physical descriptions.

View all Oly military records

You've only scratched the surface of Oly family history

Discover More

What is the average Oly lifespan?

Between 1964 and 2003, in the United States, Oly life expectancy was at its lowest point in 1998, and highest in 1985. The average life expectancy for Oly in 1964 was 85, and 83 in 2003.

View Social Security Death Index (SSDI) for Oly

Discover the unique achievements of ancestors in the Oly family tree

Explore Your Tree

Browse profiles of historical people with the Oly last name

Search for another surname
Enter last name/surname
Start a 14-Day Free Trial