Surname Eriksson - Meaning and Origin
all surnames with 'E'
Eriksson: What does the surname Eriksson mean?
The last name Eriksson is of Swedish origin and it translates to "son of Erik". It follows the Scandinavian tradition of patronymic surnames, where the name of a person's father (or sometimes mother) is passed on and modified. In this case, the name Erik is combined with the Swedish word "son", indicating direct descent from an individual named Erik. This name was often given to sons to demonstrate their lineage. The name Erik, the foundation of Eriksson, is of Old Norse origin and holds the meaning "eternal ruler" or "ever powerful". So, an extended interpretation of Eriksson could be "Son of the eternal ruler". It's important to note that while this tradition was common in Scandinavian countries in the past, it is less so today, and Eriksson has become a family surname passed down without alteration.
Order DNA origin analysisEriksson: Where does the name Eriksson come from?
The surname Eriksson is of Scandinavian origin, specifically from Sweden. It is derived from a patronymic naming tradition, where the child’s last name is based on the father’s given name. In this case, Eriksson means "son of Erik". It dates back to times when Sweden used patronymic naming systems, which changed every generation as the last names were not passed down exactly.
Today, the surname Eriksson is still very common in Sweden, where patronyms were used until the late 19th century and are still reflected in many current family names. It is also fairly prevalent in other Nordic countries like Finland, where it can often be found within the Swedish-speaking population. Due to patterns of Scandinavian migration over time, the surname has also spread to countries such as the United States, the United Kingdom, and Australia, albeit in smaller populations. However, its highest concentration remains in Sweden. Despite modern naming laws in Sweden which do not favor the patronymic system, Eriksson remains a popular surname due to its historical significance and cultural persistence.
Variations of the surname Eriksson
The surname Eriksson is of Scandinavian origin, mainly popular in Sweden, and literally means "son of Erik." There are numerous variants and spellings of the name due to regional differences and translation between languages. These variations include Ericsson, Erickson, Erikson, Erixon, Erichsen, Eriksen, Erikssen, and Ericssen.
Some alternative spellings can also be observed with a single 's' such as Erikson or Ericson. Similarly, the Icelandic version of the name can appear as Eiriksson. The patronymic naming system, common in Scandinavian cultures, is the cause of these variations. Depending on geographic location and transliteration to different languages, the surname can vary greatly.
In countries like Denmark and Norway, the name is often spelled as Eriksen. In Germany, it is more frequently found as Erichsen or Ericksen.
Additional surnames of the same origin include names derived from other Scandinavian given names, such as Larsson (son of Lars), Johansson (son of Johan), Andersson (son of Anders), and Svensson (son of Sven), as they all use the same patronymic 'son' suffix. Despite these variations and translations, all of these surnames tie back to the same naming culture in Scandinavia.
Famous people with the name Eriksson
- Leif Eriksson: An Icelandic explorer, thought to be the first known European to have set foot on continental North America.
- Sven-Göran Eriksson: A globally renowned Swedish football manager and former player, who has managed several high-profile football clubs such as Lazio, Manchester City, and the England national team.
- Jimmie Åkesson: Full name Per Jimmie Åkesson, he is a Swedish politician known for leading the national-conservative Sweden Democrats since 2005.
- Erika Eriksson: A Swedish athlete specializing in the hammer throw.
- Torbjörn Eriksson: A renowned Swedish biathlete.
- Louise Eriksson: A Swedish entrepreneur, the founder, and CEO of Vint, a personal training application.
- Linda Eriksson: A Swedish sprint canoer who has competed since the late 2000s.
- Patrik Eriksson: A Finnish athlete specializing in middle-distance running.
- Anna Eriksson: A Finnish pop and rock singer.
- Thomas Eriksson: A professional Swedish ice hockey player.
- Jan Eriksson: A former Swedish footballer.
- Bengt Eriksson: A former Swedish high jumper.
- Daniela Eriksson: A Swedish freestyle skier who competed in the 1992 Winter Olympics.