Surname Erikson - Meaning and Origin

Erikson: What does the surname Erikson mean?

The last name Erikson is of Scandinavian origin and fundamentally means "son of Erik." It is a patronymic name, a tradition in which the surname changes with each generation based on the personal name of the male ancestor. The name Erik is derived from the Old Norse name Eiríkr, which means "Eternal Ruler" or "Honorable Ruler" - thus Erikson breaks down to the "son of the honorable ruler". The -son suffix is typical in many Scandinavian names. Patronymic surnames were often used in Scandinavia as a way of distinguishing between different families with the same first names - for example, Erik's son would be Erikson, while Johan's son would be Johanson. This custom lasted until hereditary surnames became necessary for official records and documentation. Today, Erikson is a common surname in many countries, most notably in Sweden and Denmark.

Erikson: Where does the name Erikson come from?

The surname Erikson is of Scandinavian origin, deriving from the old Norse Eiríkr, which means 'Eternal Ruler'. This patronymic surname simply means "son of Erik". It became "Erikson" or "Ericson" (and its variations) when passed down from father to son. The name is particularly common in countries with a strong Norse historical influence, such as Sweden, where the practice of patronymic naming was prevalent. It also appears in Norway and Denmark, although less commonly.

In the modern era, while the name Erikson is still common in Scandinavian countries like Sweden, it has also spread elsewhere. Many descendants of Scandinavian immigrants in the United States, Canada, and United Kingdom bear the surname Erikson. Patronyms became fixed surnames in Scandinavia around the late 19th, early 20th century, driven in part by immigration to North America, where customs made it advantageous to have a stable family surname. Therefore, those of Erikson lineage can be traced back to a patriarch named Erik. The tradition varies however, with Iceland still using the traditional patronymic system.

Variations of the surname Erikson

The surname Erikson is a patronymic name, meaning son of Erik, that originated in Scandinavian countries. There are several variants and alternate spellings for this surname, due to different linguistic traditions, phonetic interpretations, and regional customs. Some of these include: Ericson, Erickson, Eriksson, Eiriksson, Erikssen, Ericsson, Ericssen, and Eriksen.

These variants are derived either directly from Erik or Eric, or from Eirik - the Old Norse equivalent. Also, the way patronymic suffixes are spelled can vary i.e., "son", "sen", and "sson".

Surnames such as Erikson can often be found with or without an "e" and often "k" and "c" may switch places i.e., Ericksen and Eriksen. Variants usually possess the same literal meaning but showcase different phonetic interpretations.

It's key to note that these variants and spellings, while similar, may indicate specific geographical or family histories as names often adapted to local dialects and languages.

This vast array of variants and alternate spellings, all pertaining to the same origin - son of Erik - underscores the richness and diversity of Scandinavian heritage in the context of surnames.

Famous people with the name Erikson

• Leif Erikson: A Norse explorer from Iceland who is believed to have been the first European to reach North America.
• Erik Erikson: A German-American developmental psychologist and psychoanalyst known for his theory on psychological development of human beings.
• Kai Erikson: An American sociologist, known for his work on the sociology of deviance and for his contributions to sociological theory.
• Neil D. Erikson: Australian far-right political activist.
• Johan Erikson: Swedish ice hockey player.
• Sigurd Erikson: Medieval Bishop of Hamar.
• Inna Erikson: Famous Fashion designer from Russia.
• Erik Erikson (footballer): Including Sam Erikson who’s a Swedish professional footballer and Anders Erikson, Canadian-Mexican former footballer.
• Joan Erikson: An American author, famous as a craftswoman and as a dancer and is known for her work with her husband Erik Erikson.
• Annette Eriksson: Swedish curler who is a two-time European champion.
• Theo Erikson: South African rugby player.
• John Erikson: An American actor known for Young Sherlock Holmes.
• Lars Erikson: Swedish footballer. Note: Some of these names may have different alternate spellings.

Other surnames

EriksdotterEriksenEriksson