Viking last names typically consisted of a patronymic or matronymic, indicating the father’s or mother’s name, respectively, followed by the suffix “-son” for males or “-dóttir” for females.
This means that the last name would change with each generation depending on the parent’s first name.
For example, if a man named Erik had a son named Olaf, Olaf’s last name would be “Eriksson,” meaning “son of Erik.”
Similarly, if a woman named Freya had a daughter named Ingrid, Ingrid’s last name would be “Freyadóttir,” meaning “daughter of Freya.”
This naming convention was common in Scandinavian countries until the adoption of hereditary surnames in the late 1800s.
Viking Last Names and Meanings
Viking last names typically consisted of a patronymic or matronymic, indicating the father’s or mother’s name, respectively, followed by the suffix “-son” for males or “-dóttir” for females.
Here are some examples of Viking last names and their meanings:
- Eriksson: “son of Erik”
- Olafsdóttir: “daughter of Olaf”
- Thorsteinsson: “son of Thorstein”
- Sigridsdóttir: “daughter of Sigrid”
- Leifsson: “son of Leif”
- Helgasdóttir: “daughter of Helga”
- Bjornsson: “son of Bjorn”
- Astriddóttir: “daughter of Astrid”
- Gunnarsson: “son of Gunnar”
- Gudrunsdóttir: “daughter of Gudrun”
This naming convention was common in Scandinavian countries until the adoption of hereditary surnames in the late 1800s.
Viking Last Names Generator
It is difficult to provide a complete list of Viking last names as they were not formal surnames but rather patronymics or matronymics.
However, here are some examples of Viking male and female names with their corresponding patronymic/matronymic forms:
Male viking names
- Ragnar: Ragnarsen
- Harald: Haraldsen
- Bjorn: Bjornsen
- Olaf: Olafsen
- Ivar: Ivarsen
- Gunnar: Gunnarsen
- Erik: Eriksson
- Leif: Leifsson
- Thorstein: Thorsteinsson
- Knut: Knutsen
Female viking names
- Freya: Freyadóttir
- Ingrid: Ingridsdóttir
- Sigrid: Sigridsdóttir
- Astrid: Astridsdóttir
- Gudrun: Gudrunsdóttir
- Helga: Helgasdóttir
- Thora: Thoradóttir
- Ragnhild: Ragnhildsdóttir
- Gunnhild: Gunnhildsdóttir
- Aslaug: Aslaugsdóttir
Keep in mind that these are just a few examples and that Viking names and naming conventions varied between regions and over time.
Badass Viking Last Names
While Viking last names were primarily patronymic or matronymic, there are several Viking-related words or phrases that could make for a “badass” last name.
Here are a few examples:
- Bloodaxe: referencing the legendary Viking warrior and king Harald “Bloodaxe” who was known for his fierce and brutal tactics in battle.
- Ironside: referencing the Viking warrior and legendary king of Denmark, C-nut the Great, who was also known as “C-nut the Hard” or “Ironside.”
- Berserker: referencing the fierce Viking warriors who were known for fighting in a trance-like state, often under the influence of drugs or alcohol.
- Raven: referencing the Viking symbol of the raven, which represented the god Odin and was often associated with war and death.
- Wolf: referencing the Viking symbol of the wolf, which was associated with the god Odin and represented ferocity and strength.
- Thunder: referencing the Viking god of thunder, Thor, who was known for his strength and power.
- Skald: referencing the Viking poets and storytellers who were highly respected in Norse society and often accompanied warriors into battle to sing their praises.
- Shieldmaiden: referencing the female Viking warriors who fought alongside men in battle and were known for their bravery and skill.
- Valkyrie: referencing the mythological female figures who were believed to choose who would live and who would die in battle and would then carry the fallen warriors to the afterlife.
- Jotun: referencing the giants in Norse mythology who were often seen as adversaries to the gods and were associated with strength and power.
It’s worth noting that while these names might be considered “badass” in a modern context, Viking society placed a high value on honor, bravery, and respect for others, and acts of violence and aggression were typically reserved for times of conflict.
Viking Last Names – Female
The concept of “last names” as we know them today did not exist in Viking times.
However, Viking women would typically take their father’s name with the suffix “-dottir” (meaning “daughter of”) attached to it.
For example, the daughter of a man named Erik would be named something like “Eriksdottir.”
Here are some examples of Viking female last names using the “-dottir” naming convention:
- Thorsteinsdottir (daughter of Thorstein)
- Bjarnadottir (daughter of Bjarni)
- Eiriksdottir (daughter of Eirik)
- Haraldsdottir (daughter of Harald)
- Gudrunsdottir (daughter of Gudrun)
- Hrolfsdottir (daughter of Hrolf)
- Sigurdsdottir (daughter of Sigurd)
- Olafsdottir (daughter of Olaf)
- Gunnarsdottir (daughter of Gunnar)
- Freydisdottir (daughter of Freydis)
It’s worth noting that these names are not strictly “last names” in the modern sense, but rather patronymics.
In Viking society, family names were not as important as they are today, and people were often referred to by their given name or their father’s name.
Viking Last Names – Male
Vikings used patronymics, which are based on the father’s first name.
Here are some examples of Viking male last names using the patronymic naming convention:
- Eriksson (son of Erik)
- Olafsson (son of Olaf)
- Haraldsson (son of Harald)
- Bjarnason (son of Bjarni)
- Thorsteinsson (son of Thorstein)
- Gudmundsson (son of Gudmund)
- Leifsson (son of Leif)
- Sigmundsson (son of Sigmund)
- Ragnarsson (son of Ragnar)
- Eiriksson (son of Eirik)
Again, it’s important to note that these names are not strictly “last names” as we understand them today, but rather patronymics used to indicate one’s father’s name.
How Viking Names Work
Cool Viking Last Names
As we mentioned earlier, Vikings did not have last names in the way we understand them today.
However, here are some Old Norse names that you might find interesting:
- Ragnar (famous army or warrior)
- Freydis (goddess of love and fertility)
- Bjorn (bear)
- Leif (heir, descendant)
- Ingrid (beautiful, beloved)
- Harald (ruler of an army)
- Sven (young warrior)
- Astrid (godly strength)
- Eirik (ever-ruler)
- Gudrun (god’s secret love)
It’s worth noting that these are not necessarily “last names” but rather given names that were used in Viking times.
Famous Viking Last Names
Here are some examples of last names associated with Vikings:
- Thorsson
- Bjornsson
- Sigurdsson
- Ragnarsson
- Haraldsson
- Olafsson
- Eriksson
- Leifsson
- Gunnarsson
- Ivarsson
Powerful Viking Last Names
Here are some common Viking last names that could be considered strong or powerful:
- Bjornsson
- Olafsson
- Ragnarsson
- Haraldsson
- Gunnarsson
- Thorsson
- Eriksen
- Magnusson
- Sigurdsson
- Leifsson
- Jansson
- Skarsgård
- Njállsson
- Asmundsson
- Hrolfsson
Norse Mythology Last Names
Here are 20 last names that are associated with Norse mythology:
- Odinsson
- Thorsson
- Loki
- Freysson
- Freyja
- Helheim
- Valhalla
- Asgard
- Midgard
- Jotunheim
- Yggdrasil
- Aesir
- Vanir
- Heimdall
- Balder
- Sif
- Fenrir
- Gungnir
- Mjolnir
- Skadi
Norse Surnames
Here are some Norse surnames:
- Eriksson
- Sørensen
- Hansen
- Jørgensen
- Andersen
- Pedersen
- Nielsen
- Kristensen
- Olsen
- Johansen
- Larsen
- Rasmussen
- Madsen
- Petersen
- Jensen
Note: These surnames are common in modern Scandinavia and are not exclusive to the Norse culture, but have roots in the Scandinavian languages and culture.
Nordic Last Names
Here are some examples of Nordic last names:
- Andersen
- Johansson
- Hansen
- Nielsen
- Petersen
- Jorgensen
- Olsen
- Lindberg
- Bergstrom
- Berglund
- Bergqvist
- Bergman
- Svensson
- Eriksson
- Gustafsson
- Magnusson
- Karlsson
- Soderberg
- Lundqvist
- Lindqvist
Viking Family Names
Vikings did not use family names or surnames as we do today.
Instead, they used a patronymic naming system, which means that a person’s last name was derived from their father’s first name.
For example, if a man named Ragnar had a son named Leif, Leif’s last name would be Ragnarsson (meaning “son of Ragnar”).
Similarly, if a woman named Astrid had a son named Bjorn, Bjorn’s last name would be Astridardottir (meaning “daughter of Astrid”).
So, Viking family names were not fixed or inherited across generations, but instead were dependent on a person’s immediate family relationships.
Norwegian Viking Last Names
Some examples of Norwegian last names that have Viking origins:
- Haraldsson
- Eriksson
- Leifsson
- Ragnarsson
- Sigurdsson
- Thorsen
- Bjornsen
- Gudmundsen
- Halvorsen
- Ivarsen
- Jorgensen
- Knutsen
- Larsen
- Njordsson
- Olafsen
- Sigvaldsson
- Torsteinsson
- Ulfsson
- Valdemarsen
- Yngvadottir
Danish Viking Last Names
Here are some common Danish Viking last names:
- Sørensen
- Hansen
- Larsen
- Nielsen
- Jørgensen
- Pedersen
- Rasmussen
- Christensen
- Jensen
- Andersen
- Madsen
- Petersen
- Olsen
- Poulsen
- Kristensen
Note: These surnames are common in modern Denmark and have roots in the Danish language and culture. While they may have been used during the Viking Age, it’s important to note that they are not exclusively Viking names.
Scottish Viking Last Names
There is a rich history of Viking influence in Scotland, particularly in the northern and western parts of the country. Here are some examples of Scottish last names that have Viking origins:
- MacAulay
- MacLeod
- MacNeil
- MacRae
- MacKenzie
- Gunn
- Sinclair
- Haraldsen
- Lachlan
- Magnus
- Orkney
- Shetland
- Sutherland
- Thorburn
- Tormod
- Innes
- Skea
- McInally
- MacGillivray
- McIver
Swedish Viking Last Names
Here are some examples of Swedish last names that have Viking origins:
- Eriksson
- Andersson
- Bjornsson
- Gunnarsson
- Haraldsson
- Ivarsson
- Johansson
- Knutsson
- Larsen
- Magnusson
- Njordsson
- Olafsson
- Ragnarsson
- Soderberg
- Thorsson
- Ulfsson
- Valdemarsson
- Yngvason
- Zetterlund
- Akerlund
Viking Royalty Last Names
During the Viking Age, the concept of “royalty” was not the same as it is today, and there were no specific last names associated with royal or noble families.
However, some well-known Viking leaders and rulers are sometimes referred to by their given name or by a descriptive epithet. Here are some examples:
- Harald Fairhair (Harald Hårfagre)
- Ivar the Boneless (Ivarr hinn Beinlausi)
- Ragnar Lodbrok (Ragnarr Loðbrók)
- Sweyn Forkbeard (Svein Tjugeskjegg)
- C-nut the Great (Knútr inn ríki)
- Erik the Red (Eiríkr rauði)
- Olaf Tryggvason (Óláfr Tryggvason)
- Sigurd the Crusader (Sigurðr Jórsalafari)
- Harald Bluetooth (Haraldr blátönn)
- Gorm the Old (Gormr gamli)
It’s worth noting that the accuracy of the historical records about these figures can vary, and in some cases, the accounts of their lives and deeds may have been embellished or exaggerated over time.
Viking Last Names in England
Here are some examples of Viking last names that are associated with England:
- Blackburn
- Carlisle
- Grimsby
- Keswick
- Kirkby
- Scunthorpe
- Selby
- Skipton
- Thirsk
- Wakefield
- Derbyshire
- Leicestershire
- Lincolnshire
- Nottinghamshire
- Rutland
- Yorkshire
- Alderson
- Ellison
- Johnson
- Wilson
Viking Last Names in Ireland
During the Viking Age, Norse settlements were established in various parts of Ireland, particularly in Dublin and other coastal areas.
As a result, some Irish people of Viking descent may have adopted Norse naming conventions.
Here are some examples of Viking last names that are associated with Irish history:
- MacAmhalghaidh (anglicized as MacAuliffe)
- MacAmhalghaidh (anglicized as MacCawley or MacAuley)
- MacAmlaoibh (anglicized as MacCauliffe or MacAulay)
- MacGiolla Phádraig (anglicized as Gilpatrick or Fitzpatrick)
- MacConmidhe (anglicized as MacNamee)
- MacSíthigh (anglicized as MacSheehy)
- MacThaidhg (anglicized as MacTeague)
- Ó Laoghaire (anglicized as O’Leary)
- Ó Maolalaidh (anglicized as O’Mulloy)
- Ó Muireadhaigh (anglicized as O’Murray)
Viking Surnames in Ireland
Viking Last Names Meaning Wolf
There are several Viking last names that have meanings related to wolves. Here are some examples:
- Ulvsson – “son of the wolf”
- Ulfsdottir – “daughter of the wolf”
- Ulvhedin – “wolf-hide”
- Varg – “wolf”
- Vargsson – “son of the wolf”
- Vargfot – “wolf-foot”
- Vargtass – “wolf-paw”
- Vargulf – “wolf’s wolf” or “big bad wolf”
- Skoll – “one who mocks” (the wolf who chases the sun in Norse mythology)
- Hati – “one who hates” (the wolf who chases the moon in Norse mythology)
Viking Last Names Ending in -Son
The use of “son” in last names is a common practice in many Nordic countries and is a patronymic naming convention, where a person’s last name is derived from their father’s first name.
Below are some examples of Viking last names that end in “-son”:
- Magnusson
- Thorsson
- Eriksson
- Jansson
- Svensson
- Bjornsson
- Olafsson
- Gunnarsson
- Haraldsson
- Ivarsson
- Leifsson
- Njordsson
- Olofsson
- Ragnhildsson
- Sigurdsson
- Torgilsson
- Ulfsson
- Valdemarsson
- Yngvasson
- Zolomonsson
FAQs – Viking Last Names
Did vikings have last names?
The Vikings did not have a tradition of using last names, as we do today.
However, Viking men and women often went by patronymic surnames, which trace ancestry from one’s father or mother.
These names were unique among each family but not universal across all Viking families.
Some examples of these patronymic surnames include Ragnarsson (son of Ragnar), Guðrøðarson (son of Guðrøð), and Þorsteinsdóttir (daughter of Þorstein).
How do viking last names work?
Viking last names, or patronymic surnames, trace ancestry back to one’s father or mother.
These names consist of the father’s (or mother’s) given name plus -son or -dóttir.
For example, Ragnarsson is the son of Ragnar, and Þorsteinsdóttir is the daughter of Þorstein.
These names were unique among each family but not universal across all Viking families.
What is the most common Viking last name?
The most common Viking last name was likely Ragnarsson, which translates to “son of Ragnar”.
This is because Ragnar was a commonly used personal name among the Vikings and many would take it as their own surname.
Additionally, due to Norse custom, a father’s given name would be passed down to their children, making the surname even more popular.
When did Scandinavian countries adopt hereditary surnames?
Scandinavian countries adopted hereditary surnames in the 1800s.
As populations increased, it was important to distinguish between families with similar given names and patronymic surnames gradually gave way to fixed surnames.
During this time many family names changed, some being adapted from farm names or localities and others taking on new spellings or even translations of the original name.
Conclusion – Viking Last Names
Viking last names, also known as patronyms or patronymic surnames, were created from a person’s father’s first name and ending with the suffix “-son” meaning “son of…” or “-dottir” meaning “daughter of”.
This type of surname originated in Scandinavia during the Viking Age which lasted from 793 to 1066 AD.
Viking last names served not only to identify individuals but also extended families who shared the same ancestor.
These surnames became a necessity with the rise in population during this period and greatly helped in distinguishing between different families.
Strong family ties were very important for Vikings since loyalty and kinship were highly valued in their society.
Today, many Viking last names can still be widely found in areas where people descended from ancient Nordic warriors lived, like Norway, Sweden, Denmark, Iceland, and Finland.
Some particularly common Viking surnames are Anderson, Johansson, and Nilsson in Sweden; Jensen, Andersen, and Hansen in Denmark; Nymanen, Karjalainen, and Kivimaki in Finland; Olsen (Olesen) Kristiansen and Larsen in Norway; Sørensen and Jørgensen in Denmark; Jónasson (Jonsson) Sigurðsson (Sigurdsson)and Ólafsson in Iceland.
In recent years there has been an increased interest among people in following Viking traditions including taking on one of these ancient surnames either as a means to honor their ancestors or merely to express their connection with Norse culture.
There are even modern companies that offer to give customers new Viking-style patronymic surnames based on whatever name they choose for themselves.
At its core, Viking last names represented a unique connection between generations: it was about honoring one’s family legacy while at the same time creating something new that future generations could proudly continue carrying forward into eternity.
