Surname Johansson - Meaning and Origin

Johansson: What does the surname Johansson mean?

The last name 'Johansson' is a Swedish patronymic surname commonly used by people of Scandinavian descent. The origins of the name are from the personal name 'Johan', which is a variation of the name 'John'. It is believed that the form of the name 'Johan' developed due to the influence of the Latin name 'Iohannes' which entered Sweden during the 12th century.

Therefore, Johansson is a very old surname with Viking associations, as the Scandinavian countries are known to be the first Norsemen to migrate and explore the world. The fictitious character 'Johan' in the novel 'Svenska Folk-Sagor och Äfventyr' also provides more evidence of the early usage of the surname.

Historically, Johansson is most associated with Sweden, but it can also be found in Finland, Estonia, and other Scandinavian countries. Today, Johansson is the second most common surname in Sweden and can be found in other countries as people of Scandinavian descent migrated over the centuries.

Overall, the surname Johansson holds many intriguing references to the heritage and history of Scandinavia and the Viking nomads. This name is also associated with characters from classic Swedish literature, which gives it a unique level of cultural significance.

Johansson: Where does the name Johansson come from?

The last name Johansson is very common in Scandinavia, particularly in Sweden. According to the World Geographical Name Search, around 140,000 people in Sweden have the name Johansson, making it the single most common surname in the country. There is also a significant presence of the name in Norway, Finland and Denmark. In addition, many Scandinavian people have emigrated to the United States, and the Johansson surname is now quite common in America. For example, in the 2000 U.S. Census, over 10,000 people with the last name Johansson lived in the United States. Other countries where the Johansson surname is found include Canada, Australia, France, Germany, and the United Kingdom. It is also found in smaller numbers in countries such as India, Japan, and South Africa. Therefore, the last name Johansson is a very common name, and people with this last name live all over the world.

Variations of the surname Johansson

The surname Johansson is a patronymic Swedish surname derived from the given name Johan. A patronymic surname is created from a father or ancestor’s given name and usually consists of a prefix or suffix indicating the family relationship. Common variants of the surname Johansson include Johansson or Johansdotter, both derived from the Swedish form of John. Common spellings of the surname are Johannson, Johannsson, Johanson, Johonsson, Jonhson, Jonnson and Johnston.

Common surnames derived from Johansson include Johansson-Pape, Jonsson, Jonsdotter, and Jonsson or Jonsson-Pape. All four surnames are derived from the patronymic Johansson but the suffixes provide a distinction. Johansson-Pape is typically used in Swedish-speaking Finland, whereas Jonsson is typically found in Sweden.

Other surnames derived from Johansson include Jonsdatter and Jonsdotter, which are patronymic forms of Jonsson. The Surnames Jonsdatter and Jonsdotter are feminine variants used particularly in Norway and Denmark.

The surname Johansson is also partially used to create new surnames such as Johansson-Larsson or Johansson-Persson. Johansson-Larsson, or variants of the name, is a revelation of the additional ancestral knowledge of the person's ancestry. Similarly, the prefix Persson is derived from the given name Per, and indicates that the person’s father or ancestor was named Per.

In addition, other names derived from Johansson include Johannesson, Johansson-Berglund, and Jonsjö. All three are common variants of the given name Johan and are derived from other occupations related to the original name. Johannesson is derived from a combination of "Johan" and "son", indicating the holder's father's given name was Johan. Johansson-Berglund is derived from the Swedish word ‘Berglund’ meaning mountain grove/glade and signifying that an ancestor’s home or origin was a mountain glade. Lastly, Jonsjö is derived from Jonsson and the Swedish word ‘sjö’ meaning lake or sea, indicating that an ancestor’s home or origin was near a lake or sea.

Famous people with the name Johansson

• Scarlett Johansson: Scarlett Johansson is an American actress and singer. She has been nominated for various awards, including two Academy Awards and five Golden Globe Awards. She is best known for her roles in films such as Lost in Translation, The Avengers, and Her.
• Chris Johansson: Chris Johansson is an American actor, director, and producer. He is best known for his roles in films such as Gone Baby Gone, The Adjustment Bureau, and Shutter Island.
• Peter Johansson: Peter Johansson is a Swedish professional golfer. He has won several tournaments, including four Swedish championships and has represented Sweden in international competitions such as The Ryder Cup.
• Mikael Johansson: Mikael Johansson is a retired Swedish professional ice hockey forward. He played for teams such as AIK, HC Davos, and San Jose Sharks. He won championships and titles throughout his career.
• Gustaf Johansson: Gustaf Johansson is a Swedish chess grandmaster and former player of the Swedish national team. He has won several titles, including Swedish National Cup and the Swedish National Chess Championship.
• Axl Johansson: Axl Johansson is a Swedish singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist. He is best known for his work with the band The Johansson Brothers, which has released several albums.
• Henrik Johansson: Henrik Johansson is a Swedish professional golfer. He was the runner-up for the 2014 Volvo Masters event and has participated in the European Tour.
• Sofia Johansson: Sofia Johansson is a Swedish actress. She has appeared in films such as Everything Will Be Fine and The Volcano.
• Björn Johansson: Björn Johansson is a Swedish professional basketball player who plays for the BC Luleå in the Swedish Basketball League. He has also represented Sweden in international competitions.
• Klara Johansson: Klara Johansson is a Swedish figure skater and former World Championship competitor. She most recently competed in the 2018 European Figure Skating Championships.

Other surnames

Johanssen