Surname Magnusson - Meaning and Origin

Magnusson: What does the surname Magnusson mean?

The surname Magnusson is of Scandinavian origin and means "son of Magnus." It is primarily found in Scandinavian countries like Sweden, Norway, and Denmark. The name Magnus is derived from the Latin word "magnus," meaning "great." Therefore, Magnusson can also be interpreted as "son of the great." It follows a traditional Scandinavian naming convention, known as patronymics, where the father’s first name is used to form a surname for the child. For instance, if a man named Magnus had a son, his son’s surname would be Magnusson, indicating that he is ‘Magnus’ son.’ This naming convention was common in Scandinavia up until the late 19th and early 20th centuries, when surnames became hereditary.

Magnusson: Where does the name Magnusson come from?

The last name Magnusson originates from Scandinavia, more specifically from countries like Sweden, Norway, and Iceland. The surname is a patronymic one, meaning it is derived from the father's first name. In this case, it comes from the first name Magnus, with the suffix "-son" meaning "son of".

Magnus is a Latin name meaning "great", and this name was carried by various saints and kings, infusing it with a sense of prestige and making it popular across Scandinavia. Over time, this popularity extended to the surname, leading to a substantial number of people carrying the name Magnusson.

Today, the surname Magnusson is most common in Iceland, where the tradition of patronymic surnames still exists. In Iceland, rather than having a family surname, individuals often have surnames that indicate who their father is. Therefore, the prevalence of the Magnusson surname can change from generation to generation. However, people with the last name Magnusson can also be found in considerable numbers in Sweden and other Nordic countries. Notably, in Sweden, family names have been historically used unlike in Iceland’s patronymic system.

Variations of the surname Magnusson

The surname Magnusson originates from Scandinavia and is particularly common in Sweden and Iceland. It follows a patronymic tradition, meaning "Son of Magnus". The spelling can vary depending on the country and translation of the name. Some variants of the name include Magnuson, Magnusen, Magnusson, Magnussen, Magnasson, and Magneson.

The surname can also be found in other forms such as MacMagnus or McManus in Ireland, demonstrating the use of the Gaelic "Mac" prefix which also signifies "son of".

In different regions of Scandinavia, the spelling might change due to language differences, for instance, in Norway and Denmark, it would often be spelled as Magnussen or Mogensson, whilst in Iceland, Magnusson or Magnússon might be used. Here we can see the influence of language on the spelling and pronunciation of surnames.

In English-speaking countries, the spelling of the name can sometimes be simplified to Magnuson. On the other hand, in more Southern European countries like Spain, the surname may be adapted to something like "Magnuson".

It should be noted that these are all variations of the same root name – Magnus, which is of Latin origin, meaning "great".

Famous people with the name Magnusson

• Seppo Magnusson, a Finnish television personality and scientist.
• Andri Magnusson, an Icelandic musician and producer.
• Matthias Magnusson, an Icelandic chess grandmaster.
• Jon Magnusson, a Swedish producer and film director.
• Peder Magnusson, a Swedish landscape painter.
• Björn Magnusson, a Swedish television personality.
• Kristín Magnúsdóttir, an Icelandic actor, singer, and songwriter.
• Eva Magnusson, a Swedish actress and painter.
• Ingrid Magnusson, a Swedish politician.
• Sverrir Magnússon, an Icelandic-Canadian writer.
• Wasa Magnusson, an Icelandic actor and comedian.
• Ragnar Magnusson, an Icelandic politician.
• Joakim Magnusson, a Swedish ice hockey player.
• Ragnar Magnusson, a Swedish business man.
• Ingvar Magnusson, a Swedish-Danish professional football player.
• Orvar Magnusson, a Swedish-Danish artist.
• Erik Magnusson, a Swedish cross-country skier.
• Torgny Magnusson, a Swedish-American actor, screenwriter and producer.
• Sigrid Magnusson, a Swedish singer, songwriter and actress.
• Maria Magnusson, a Swedish actress.

Other surnames

Magnussen