Surname Ollikkala - Meaning and Origin
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Ollikkala: What does the surname Ollikkala mean?
The surname OLLIKKALA is of Finnish origin and dates back to the medieval period (the late 12th and early 13th centuries). The surname is derived from two Finnish words, olli and kala, which, when combined, mean "fish hauler". This would have been an occupation of individuals who fished the waterways of Finland, catching and hauling fish for sale and trade.
Over the centuries, families bearing the surname OLLIKKALA have adopted a variety of spelling variations including Olli, Kala, Ollikkala, Olli-Kala, and Ollikalio. This change in spelling is due to the linguistic conventions of the time, including the Land Acts of 1649 and 1669 which helped standardize the Finnish language.
The use of the surname OLLIKKALA is most concentrated in the country of Finland in the northern region of Ostrobotnia. Although the surname may be found throughout Europe, there are only a few individuals who use it in North America.
Historically, the name OLLIKKALA has been associated with individuals of strong moral character and integrity. Some famous individuals who are associated with the surname include the former Prime Minster of Finland, Esko Kyro, and former Prime Minister of Norway, Kjell Magne Bondevik. The OLLIKKALA surname is an important part of Finnish heritage and continues to be passed down through generations.
Order DNA origin analysisOllikkala: Where does the name Ollikkala come from?
The last name OLLIKKALA is still commonly found in Finland today. It is a traditional Finnish surname, and is estimated to be the 246th most common name in Finland, far more common than Scandinavian countries or other parts of Europe.
The name is derived from the words 'olli' which means 'air and 'kala' which translates to 'fish'. The name was likely given to a family that had a direct connection with fishing as their livelihood, most likely by following the practice of giving out last names based on the family’s occupation or area of origin.
In more recent times, people with the OLLIKKALA surname can typically be found in areas of Eastern Finland. This includes the cities of Joensuu, Kuopio, and Oulu among others.
While most Finnish surnames are based on family occupation or area origin, the last name OLLIKKALA has also been described as an ancient remain of the dialet of Veps, an endangered Baltic-Finnic language still spoken in small areas of Finland.
Today, Finnish people with the OLLIKKALA surname can be found living all over the world, from the United States to South American countries. This is unsurprising given the large diaspora of Finnish people that have left their homeland in pursuit of a better life.
Variations of the surname Ollikkala
Ollikkala is a very common Finnish surname with several variants, spellings and surnames of the same origin. It is most commonly spelled as Ollikkala, but can be spelled in a variety of ways.
Variants include Ollikka, Ollia, Olinikka, Olinikko, Olinksi, Olinkki, Ollikkahti, Ollinger, Ollinger, Ollinghetti, and Ollinko.
Spelling variants of the name include Ollikalla, Ollikole, Olinki, Olinke, Olligala, Olliggala, and Olligkaala.
Other surnames of the same origin include Olinkaja, Olloline, Oulingia, Oullinen, and Oullikka. The surname can also appear as Olinka, Olinkki, Ollinko, Olikka, Olilka, Ollikkia, Ollikki, Ollka, and Olekkala.
The origins of the Ollikkala surname are believed to come from family origin names. The founders of these families often had a natural connection to their home village, such as a family member living there, or having a natural landscape feature or animal nearby that was significant to the family. It is likely that the Ollikkala surname originates from a family name that includes a natural feature or animal.
Other possible origins of the surname include a name of an occupation or a nickname. Occupations of people with the surname may have included farmers, laborers, or even a blacksmith, and nicknames may have been based on a physical characteristic or behaviour.
Although the origin of the surname is not known for certain, the numerous variants, spellings and surnames of the same origin provide an indication of its likely origin.
Famous people with the name Ollikkala
- Sama Ollikkala: Sama Ollikkala is an artist who found fame in the 1990s for her work in painting, knitting, textile art, sculpture, and graphic design.
- Satu Ollikkala: Satu Ollikkala is a Finnish architect and professor of architecture at the Aalto University in Helsinki.
- Sami Ollikkala: Sami Ollikkala is a former Finnish professional ice hockey player who played in the NHL with the Detroit Red Wings.
- Hannu Ollikkala: Hannu Ollikkala is a former Finnish ski-jumper who competed during the 1980s.
- Janmos Ollikkala: Janmos Ollikkala is a Finnish Rally cross driver and former Touring Car racer.
- Tuomas Ollikkala: Tuomas Ollikkala is a Finnish professional footballer who has played for the likes of FC Lahti and HJK Helsinki.
- Tom Ollikkala: Tom Ollikkala is a Finnish retired ski racer who competed in the men's slalom and giant slalom at the 1994 Winter Olympics in Lillehammer.
- Mervi Ollikkala: Mervi Ollikkala is a Finnish former competitive figure skater who won bronze at the 1983 European Championships.
- Helmi Ollikkala: Helmi Ollikkala is an artist and sculptor from Finland who has exhibited her work both nationally and internationally.
- Tiina Ollikkala: Tiina Ollikkala is a Finnish professional triathlete.