Surname Carlsson - Meaning and Origin

Carlsson: What does the surname Carlsson mean?

The last name Carlsson is of Swedish origin and it means "son of Carl." It is a patronymic surname, a tradition of naming within families where the children carry the first name of the father as their last name, with ‘son’ or ‘dotter’ (daughter) added to it. In this case, Carlsson translates to "Carl's son." The name Carl itself is of German origin and means "free man" or "man," referring to a full-grown man. This naming tradition led to a high prevalence of surnames ending in -sson in Sweden. However, the practice of creating new patronymic surnames has been legally discouraged in Sweden since 1901, to limit the confusion of having many families with the same last name. Today, Carlsson remains a common surname in Sweden.

Carlsson: Where does the name Carlsson come from?

The last name Carlsson is of Scandinavian origin, particularly from Sweden. It is a patronymic surname meaning "son of Carl." The "-sson" suffix denotes "son of," a common feature in Scandinavian surnames. It is an example of the region's tradition wherein a person's last name indicates the first name of their father. The name "Carl" is derived from the Old Norse "Karl," which means "free man."

Today, the surname Carlsson is still common in Sweden and other Scandinavian countries. It is also found amongst people of Scandinavian descent living in other parts of the world, such as the United States and Canada. Despite migration and the passage of time, Carlsson remains a recognisable and notable Scandinavian surname globally.

Variations of the surname Carlsson

The surname Carlsson is of Swedish origin, derived from the given name Carl, which is the Swedish variant of English name Charles, and the suffix "son" indicating "son of." Variations include Carlson, Karlsson, Carlsen, and Karlssen. Other variants can involve changes in spelling due to geographical location and historical context, such as Carleson or Karleson.

In countries where English is more prevalent, it might also be spelled as Charleson or Charleston. Similarly, the Nordic countries may present Karlson or Karlsen. It can also appear with a single 's' as in Carleson, Charlesen, or Charleson. It's also worth noting that some family names may drop the 's' and 'son' and simply use Carl or Karl.

The variations largely depend on the linguistic rules and traditions of a particular region, and they're often used interchangeably. However, one must note that there could be more variations as surnames are subjected to personal and regional modifications. All variations represent the same meaning: "the son of Carl".

Famous people with the name Carlsson

• Magnus Carlsson: A popular Swedish pop singer, former member of the bands Alcazar and Barbados.
• Agnes Carlsson: Known mononymously as Agnes, she is a Swedish recording artist who rose to fame as the winner of Idol 2005, the second season of the Swedish Idol series.
• Andreas Carlsson: Esteemed Swedish music producer, composer, and songwriter who has worked with top artists like Britney Spears, Backstreet Boys, and Katy Perry.
• Patrik Carlsson: Professional golf player from Sweden who has played on the European Tour.
• Anna Maria Corazza Bildt: Born as Anna Maria Corazza in Italy but known as Carlsson through marriage, she is a Swedish politician and Member of the European Parliament.
• Åsa Linderborg: Born as Åsa Carlsson but changed her last name, she is a prominent Swedish author and journalist.
• Gustaf Emil Carlsson: Swedish Greco-Roman wrestler, competed in the 1948 Summer Olympics.
• Joakim Carlsson: Astronomer from the Nordic Optical Telescope in the Canary Islands.
• Jocke Carlsson: Renowned Swedish musician and member of indie rock band "Mustasch".
• Aliette Opheim: Born Aliette Opheim Carlsson, she is a notable Swedish actress known for the movie "Never Wipe Tears Without Gloves".
• Olof Måns Andersson Carlsson: Known as E.M.D., he was a member of the Swedish boy band.

Other surnames

Carlssohn