Surname Karlson - Meaning and Origin
all surnames with 'K'
Karlson: What does the surname Karlson mean?
The last name Karlson is of Scandinavian origin and means "son of Karl". It is a patronymic surname, a type of surname that is derived from the given name of the father. The given name "Karl" is derived from the Old Norse name "Karl" which was used to denote a man of non-noble birth or a free man. Thus, the surname essentially identifies a person as the son of a free man or a common man. This surname is common in countries like Sweden, Denmark, and Norway, mirroring the custom of these Scandinavian cultures to give children a last name denoting their parentage. Over time, many of these surnames have become fixed and are passed down from generation to generation, regardless of the father's given name.
Order DNA origin analysisKarlson: Where does the name Karlson come from?
The last name Karlson is of Nordic origin, derived from the personal name Karl, equivalent to English Charles, combined with the Nordic suffix "-son" meaning "son of". Hence, Karlson means "son of Karl". It's a patronymic surname, a tradition where the father's first name becomes the child's last name with the suffix "-son" or "-sen" added. Karlson is primarily associated with Sweden, but also found in other Scandinavian countries like Denmark and Norway due to migration. It is also adapted by immigrants to English-speaking countries, often Anglicized to Carlson or Carlsen.
Today, the surname Karlson, in its various spellings, remains common in Nordic countries, specifically Sweden. It has also become reasonably common in the United States, primarily among descendants of Scandinavian immigrants. Overall, it can be found wherever there are communities of Scandinavian origin.
Variations of the surname Karlson
The surname "Karlson" has several different variants and spellings due to different links in its historical and geographical lineage. These include Carlson, Karlsson, Carlsson, Karlsen, Carlsen, Karolus, and Carlos.
The surname "Karlson" primarily has roots in the Scandinavian region, specifically in Sweden and Norway. The Scandinavian patronymic tradition gave rise to variations of this surname, with "Karlson" meaning "son of Karl." The variation "Karlsson" is particularly prevalent in Sweden, while "Karlsen" is more common in Norway.
In English-speaking regions, the spellings "Carlson" and "Carlsen" are often used. These versions have the same meaning as their Scandinavian counterparts – "son of Carl". There could also be derivatives from Carl such as "Carlos", a Spanish variant, and "Karolus", a Latin variant.
While the surnames listed are the most common, there could also be less common variations including different spelling and even diminutive or derivative forms. Just like many other surnames, it's important to remember that the spelling may have also changed over time due to various factors including translation between different languages and regions.
Famous people with the name Karlson
- Kelly Carlson: An American actress and model best known for her role in the television series "Nip/Tuck."
- Erik Karlsson: A Swedish professional ice hockey player; has been considered one of the best defensemen in the National Hockey League (NHL).
- Dale Karlson: An Australian actor known for roles in TV series like "Neighbours" and "Miss Fisher's Murder Mysteries."
- Melinda Kinnaman Karlsson: A Swedish actress, known for her roles in the TV series "Modus" and the film "My Life as a Dog." She's the half-sister of Hollywood actor Joel Kinnaman.
- William Karlsson: Another Swedish professional ice hockey player, currently playing for the NHL's Vegas Golden Knights.
- Robert Karlsson: A Swedish professional golfer who has won 11 tournaments on the European Tour.
- Jonas Karlsson: A Swedish actor and author best known for his roles in the films "The Snowman" and "Miffo."
- Kenneth Karlsson: A Danish pianist and conductor known for his work in contemporary classical music.
- Gustaf Karlsson: A Swedish musician best known as the bassist for the heavy metal band, Mustasch.
- Mats Karlsson: A Swedish musician known for being a guitarist in the rock band 220 Volt.