Surname Erickson - Meaning and Origin

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L. Erickson

Erickson: What does the surname Erickson mean?

The surname Erickson is of Scandinavian origin and it essentially means "son of Eric." The suffix "son" is derived from the tradition of patronymic surnames, where a person’s name is based on their father's name. Therefore, a man named Eric would have a son, whose surname will be Erickson. It was a common practice in Scandinavian countries like Sweden, Norway, and Denmark to use such patronymic surnames. The name Eric itself originates from the Old Norse name 'Eiríkr' which is a compound of 'ei' meaning ever or eternal, and 'ríkr' meaning ruler or king, thus giving it the meaning "eternal ruler" or "ever powerful." Therefore, the surname Erickson can also indirectly mean "son of the eternal ruler." Although this naming pattern is no longer widely used in these countries, many family names, including Erickson, reflect this tradition.

Erickson: Where does the name Erickson come from?

The last name Erickson is of Scandinavian origin. The name, when dissected, means "son of Eric", a patronymic surname. It found its roots in the pre 7th century Old Norse name "Eirikr", composed of elements 'ei', meaning ever or always, and 'rikr', meaning ruler. This was a highly popular name given to many Viking invaders who raided and settled around the British Isles in about the 8th to 11th centuries. Today, the surname Erickson is most common in the United States owing to immigration, and it is also found in English-speaking countries like Canada and England. Nevertheless, versions of the name such as Eriksson, Erikson, Eriksen and Ericson, are common in Scandinavian countries including Sweden, Denmark, and Norway.

Variations of the surname Erickson

The surname Erickson is of Scandinavian origin, predominantly used in the Nordic countries such as Norway, Sweden, and Denmark. It can also be seen in English-speaking countries due to immigration patterns. The name means 'son of Erik' or 'Erik's son.'

Variations or alternative spellings of this surname include Ericsson, Erikson, Eriksen, Eriksson, Ericson, and Ericksson. These variations often result from regional dialects, language translations, or personal preferences.

Surnames that are possibly of the same origin or based on the similar meaning ("son of Erik") can include Ariksen often used by the Danes, Eirkson used in Iceland, Ericsen in Norway, Eriksohn or Erichsen used in the German-speaking regions, Erikssen in Sweden, and even Ericks, Ericksen, or the palindrome format of the name Sonerik.

While the different versions of the name are widely used across different parts of world, the literal translation or meaning remains the same, identifying the person as the ‘son of Erik.' Often, this surname reflects strong Scandinavian roots and heritage in families.

Famous people with the name Erickson

• Leif Erickson: An American film and television actor.
• Roky Erickson: An American singer-songwriter, well-known in psychedelic rock for being a founding member of The 13th Floor Elevators.
• Steven Erikson: A Canadian author, famous for his series "The Malazan Book of the Fallen".
• Eric Erickson: A CIA agent during the Cold War.
• Chad Erickson: Former professional ice hockey player in the NHL.
• Alex Erickson: American football player for the NFL.
• Samantha Erickson: American actress known for her roles in TV series like "Criminal Minds" and "Grey's Anatomy".
• John Erickson: American basketball player and former general manager of Milwaukee Bucks.
• Tabitha Erickson: American Paralympic volleyball player.
• Beth Erickson: Australian professional beach volleyball player.
• Tim Erickson: Australian racewalker, multiple-time national champion in race walking.
• Lisel Erickson: Notable American filmmaker best known for her debut film, "Footprints of Life".

Other surnames

EricksenEricksson