Norwegian last names echo the eddas that gave the world the old gods Thor and Loki, the culture that bridges modern and ancient Europe, and the language that influences the names of our days. You’ll find on this page our hand-picked lists of Norwegian surnames by topic and a definitive list of the most commonly used Norwegian last names.
What are Norwegian Last Names?
Norwegian last names reflect the fascinating culture of Norway and, in many cases, include Old Nordic words. References to Norwegian pre-Christian religious practices and Old Norse words for landmarks and animals often characterize these surnames. Norwegian surnames are unique because of their linguistic and cultural connections to a history that has become familiar far from Norway: Thursday comes from the Old Norse words, meaning Thor’s day, and Marvel movies are filled with Norse mythology and gods.
Norwegian last names historically followed the Scandinavian practice of taking the name of one’s father and adding a suffix to it, turning the name into a patronymic surname that connected generations with their ancestry. In 1923, Norway passed a law ordering families to adopt a single hereditary last name rather than the traditional patronymic surname that changed every generation. This led to some families adopting geography-based last names. We have curated lists of the most popular Norwegian surnames and last names by characteristics for every Old Norse enthusiast.
Top 100 Norwegian Last Names
Here, we present the most common Norwegian last names. Common Norwegian last names often originate from patronymic naming traditions, where “son” or “sen” was added to the father’s name. Surnames ending in “lund” often signify a connection to a grove or small forest, reflecting Norway’s rich natural landscape.
- Hansen – Son of Hans
- Johansen – Son of Johan
- Olsen – Son of Ole
- Larsen – Son of Lars
- Andersen – Son of Anders
- Pedersen – Son of Peder
- Nilsen – Son of Nils
- Kristiansen – Son of Kristian
- Jensen – Son of Jens
- Karlsen – Son of Karl
- Johnsen – Son of John
- Pettersen – Son of Petter
- Eriksen – Son of Erik
- Berg – Mountain
- Haugen – Hill
- Hagen – Garden
- Johannessen – Son of Johann
- Andreassen – Son of Andreas
- Jacobsen – Son of Jacob
- Dahl – Valley
- Halvorsen – Son of Halvor
- Lund – Grove
- Henriksen – Son of Henrik
- Jørgensen – Son of Jørgen
- Jakobsen – Son of Jakob
- Gundersen – Son of Gunder
- Moen – Meadow
- Sørensen – Son of Søren
- Iversen – Son of Iver
- Svendsen – Son of Svend
- Strand – Beach
- Solberg – Sun Mountain
- Martinsen – Son of Martin
- Paulsen – Son of Paul
- Knutsen – Son of Knut
- Eide – Isthmus
- Bakken – Hill
- Kristoffersen – Son of Kristoffer
- Mathisen – Son of Mathias
- Lie – Meadow
- Rasmussen – Son of Rasmus
- Bakke – Hill
- Amundsen – Son of Amund
- Kristensen – Son of Kristen
- Andresen – Son of Andres
- Lunde – Grove
- Berge – Mountain
- Moe – Meadow
- Holm – Island
- Fredriksen – Son of Fredrik
- Solheim – Sun Home
- Knudsen – Son of Knud
- Nielsen – Son of Niels
- Christensen – Son of Christen
- Lien – Ridge
- Hauge – Hill
- Nygård – New Farm
- Evensen – Son of Even
- Aas – Hill
- Hanssen – Son of Hans
- Myhre – My Hill
- Simonsen – Son of Simon
- Haugland – Hill Land
- Thomassen – Son of Thomas
- Berntsen – Son of Bernt
- Sivertsen – Son of Sivert
- Sæther – Mountain Farm
- Danielsen – Son of Daniel
- Arnesen – Son of Arne
- Haug – Hill
- Sandvik – Sand Bay
- Thorsen – Son of Thor
- Ellingsen – Son of Elling
- Antonsen – Son of Anton
- Næss – Naze
- Gulbrandsen – Son of Gulbrand
- Ruud – Ridge
- Rønning – Ridge
- Edvardsen – Son of Edvard
- Vik – Bay
- Samuelsen – Son of Samuel
- Isaksen – Son of Isak
- Birkeland – Birch Land
- Aasen – Hill
- Jenssen – Son of Jens
- Tangen – Meadow
- Mikkelsen – Son of Mikkel
- Eliassen – Son of Elias
- Strøm – Stream
- ødegård – Desolate Farm
- Myklebust – Mykle Farm
- Helland – Hell Land
- Christiansen – Son of Christian
- Aune – Field
- Bøe – Farm
- Brekke – Hill
- Abrahamsen – Son of Abraham
- Madsen – Son of Mads
- Tveit – Meadow
- Bjerke – Birch
Unique Norwegian Last Names
This list contains uniquely Norwegian last names that reflect Norway’s fascinating history and culture. Unique themes include references to nature, such as mountains, valleys, and forests, and elements like farms, meadows, and hills.
- Aaberg – River Hill
- Aase – Meadow
- Alfson – Son of Alf
- Becken – Stream
- Berger – Mountain
- Bjørnstad – Bear Place
- Bø – Farm
- Borge – Farm
- Borgen – Hill
- Bråten – Hillside
- Bråthen – Hillside
- Breivik – Broad Bay
- Carlsen – Son of Carl
- Clausen – Son of Claus
- Dahle – Valley
- Dybdahl – Deep Valley
- Egeland – Edge Land
- Eilertsen – Son of Eilert
- Elden – Fire
- Engebretsen – Son of Engebret
- Engen – Meadow
- Fjeld – Mountain
- Fossum – Waterfall
- Gabrielsen – Son of Gabriel
- Gjerde – Fence
- Gustavsen – Son of Gustav
- Haaland – Hillside Land
- Haga – Hill
- Håland – Hillside Land
- Helgesen – Son of Helge
- Hermansen – Son of Hermann
- Holmen – Island
- Hove – Hill
- Hovland – Hill Land
- Ingebrigtsen – Son of Ingebrigt
- Jansen – Son of Jan
- Johannesen – Son of Johannes
- Kvam – Valley
- Landvik – Land Bay
- Lind – Linden Tree
- Lindberg – Linden Mountain
- Løken – Onion
- Lorentzen – Son of Lorentz
- Ludvigsen – Son of Ludvig
- Lundberg – Grove Mountain
- Magnussen – Son of Magnus
- Mikalsen – Son of Mikal
- Monsen – Son of Mons
- Mortensen – Son of Morten
- Negaard – Naze Farm
- Nilssen – Son of Nils
- Nilsson – Son of Nils
- Nordby – North Farm
- Nygaard – New Farm
- ødegaard – Desolate Farm
- Petersen – Son of Peter
- Rønningen – Ridge
- Ryland – Rye Land
- Sandberg – Sand Mountain
- Sandnes – Sand Headland
- Selland – Slope Land
- Solbakken – Sun Hill
- Solvang – Sun Meadow
- Sorensen – Son of Søren
- Sørlie – South Meadow
- Stokke – Stump
- Sunde – Sound
- Sveen – Meadow
- Syversen – Son of Syver
- Teigen – Meadow
- Thoresen – Son of Thore
- Thorgilsdottir – Daughter of Thor
- Tollefsen – Son of Tollef
- Torgersen – Son of Torgeir
- Torp – Farm
- Wiik – Bay
- Wilhelmsen – Son of Wilhelm
Cute Norwegian Last Names
Cute Norwegian last names can often be charming and endearing. These names may incorporate references to small, picturesque places or terms of endearment, highlighting the friendly and welcoming nature of Norwegian culture.
- Andersson – Son of Anders
- Bjelland – Bell Land
- Carlsdotter – Daughter of Carl
- Dalen – Valley
- Eggen – Ridge
- Ellefsen – Son of Ellef
- Enger – Meadow
- Gran – Spruce
- Haraldsen – Son of Harald
- Henning – Son of Henning
- Hoel – Hill
- Johansson – Son of Johan
- Jonassen – Son of Jonas
- Karlsson – Son of Karl
- Kaspersen – Son of Kasper
- Kittleson – Son of Kittel
- Larsson – Son of Lars
- Lauritzen – Son of Lauritz
- Lian – Small Ridge
- Løkken – Onion
- Mathiesen – Son of Mathias
- Melby – Mill Farm
- Michelsen – Son of Michel
- Mo – Meadow
- Møller – Miller
- Nesse – Naze
- Nordli – North Hill
- Normann – Norwegian
- Nyhus – New House
- Olsson – Son of Ola
- Ottesen – Son of Otte
- Robertsen – Son of Robert
- Sætre – Settlement
- Sand – Sand
- Sande – Sandy
- Skogen – Forest
- Solhaug – Sun Hill
- Solli – Sun Meadow
Cool Norwegian Last Names
These Norwegian last names are so cool that they rival the wintriest of the Norwegian tundra. Cool Norwegian last names feature elements related to nature, geography, pr a connection to Norway’s stunning landscapes, from fjords to forests.
- Arntzen – Son of Arnt
- Bendiksen – Son of Bendik
- Bergersen – Son of Berg
- Bolstad – Bowl Place
- Braathen – Broad Valley
- Bugge – Bow
- Eriksson – Son of Erik
- Espeland – Ash Tree Land
- Fosse – Waterfall
- Grimstad – Grim Place
- Hamre – Farm
- Helle – Hill
- Hetland – Heath Land
- Hjelle – Hill
- Holen – Hollow
- Holst – Hill
- Holte – Hill
- Klausen – Son of Klaus
- Kleven – Cliff
- Kolstad – Cool Place
- Krogh – Ravine
- Laake – Lake
- Langeland – Long Land
- Larssen – Son of Lars
- Markussen – Son of Markus
- Meland – Meadow Land
- Mork – Dark
- Nyborg – New Castle
- Persson – Son of Per
- Riise – Ridge
- Rustad – Rough Place
- Salvesen – Son of Salve
- Skaar – Rock
- Skaug – Forest
- Skoglund – Forest Grove
- Sletten – Hillside
- Stangeland – Pole Land
- Steffensen – Son of Steffen
- Stenberg – Stone Mountain
- Stene – Stone
- Svensson – Son of Sven
- Syvertsen – Son of Syvert
- Teigland – Meadow Land
- Thorstad – Thor’s Place
- Thorstensen – Son of Thorsten
- Thorvaldsen – Son of Thorvald
- Tvedt – Clearing
- Viken – Bay
- Walberg – Wall Mountain
- Westgard – West Farm
Badass Norwegian Last Names
Badass Norwegian last names carry a strong Viking heritage, reflecting the fierce and adventurous spirit of these ancient seafarers. These surnames resonate with the warrior ethos, embodying qualities like valor, resilience, and tenacity.
- Axel – Father of peace, peaceful
- Beck – Stream or Brook
- Bengtsson – Son of Bengt
- Bielke – Beech tree
- Borg – Fortress or Castle
- Brand – Fire
- Breiner – Brain or intelligent
- Christeson – Son of Christ
- Emanuelson – Son of Emanuel
- Engberg – Meadow Hill
- Engman – Meadow Man
- Ericson – Son of Eric
- Erling – Noble Offspring
- Eskildsen – Son of Eskild
- Estenson – Son of Este
- Falkenberg – Falcon Mountain
- Fredrickson – Son of Fredrick
- Friberg – Free Mountain
- Frydenlund – Joyful Grove or Forest
- Halvorson – Son of Halvor
- Hartvigsen – Son of Hartvig
- Helvig – Helvig, a personal name
- Hjorth – Deer
- Junge – Young
- Knut – Knot or burl
- Kolbeck – Coal or black
- Lindquist – Linden Twig or Branch
- Lorenzen – Son of Lorenz
- Mathieson – Son of Mathies
- Nord – North
- Nyberg – New Mountain
- Nybo – New Farm
- Nyland – New Land
- Nylund – New Grove or Forest
- Olander – Island dweller
- Oscar – God’s spear
- Pihl – Willow
- Riis – Rice
- Risberg – Rice Mountain
- Rosenberg – Rose Mountain
- Sigmond – Victory Protector
- Skau – Forest
- Steenberg – Stone Mountain
- Steensen – Son of Sten
- Stendahl – Stone Valley
- Thorp – Village or hamlet
- Toft – Homestead or Yard
- Tranum – Crane or Heron Village
- Trygg – Safe or Trustworthy
- Vagle – Bay
- Westberg – West Mountain
- Westergaard – West Farm
Rare Norwegian Last Names
Rare Norwegian last names are distinct and uncommon, often from unique historical, regional, or familial origins. Some may be tied to specific events or figures in Norway’s history, making them particularly exclusive.
- Aamodt – River Mouth
- Aasheim – Meadow Home
- Arntsen – Son of Arnt
- Berget – Mountain
- Børresen – Son of Børre
- Bredesen – Son of Brede
- Brevik – Bridge Bay
- Christoffersen – Son of Christoffer
- Davidsen – Son of David
- Eikeland – Oakland
- Endresen – Son of Endre
- Farstad – Traveling Place
- Finstad – Fine Place
- Fjeldstad – Mountain Place
- Gjertsen – Son of Gjert
- Gulliksen – Son of Gullik
- Haugan – Hill
- Hole – Hollow
- Husby – Farm Village
- Kleppe – Rock
- Krogstad – Crook Place
- Kvamme – Valley
- Mæland – Meadow Land
- Marthinsen – Son of Martin
- Myrvang – Bog Meadow
- Myrvold – Bog Forest
- Nikolaisen – Son of Nikolai
- Nordahl – North Hill
- Nordbø – North Farm
- Nordvik – North Bay
- Norheim – North Home
- øien – Island
- Olafsen – Son of Olaf
- Olaussen – Son of Olaus
- Opsahl – Hill Farm
- østby – East Farm
- Reitan – Ridge
- Ringstad – Ring Place
- Rød – Red
- Røed – Clearing
- Simensen – Son of Simen
- Solem – Sunny Place
- Sørli – South Meadow
- Sørum – South Farm
- Stensrud – Stone Clearing
- Sund – Strait
- Thorbjørnsen – Son of Thorbjørn
- Tønnessen – Son of Tønnes
- Vatne – Water Meadow
- Vold – Field
- Waage – Weighing
- Wold – Forest
Uncommon Norwegian Last Names
We’ve some gathered some of Norway’s less well known surnames into this list of Norwegian last names. Uncommon Norwegian last names are less frequently encountered but still carry historical and cultural significance.
- Aronsen – Son of Aron
- Ask – Ash Tree
- Bergan – Mountain
- Berglund – Mountain Grove
- Bjørge – Mountain
- Bjørnsen – Son of Bjørn
- Erlandsen – Son of Erland
- Frantzen – Son of Frantz
- Fredheim – Peaceful Home
- Guttormsen – Son of Guttorm
- Håkonsen – Son of Håkon
- Hovde – Hill
- Høyland – Highland
- Ingebritson – Son of Ingebrit
- Johnsrud – John’s Clearing
- Kallestad – Kalle’s Place
- Knudsvig – Knud’s Cove
- Lande – Land
- Lervik – Clay Bay
- Martinussen – Son of Martin
- Melgaard – Mill Farm
- Mørk – Dark
- Nes – Naze
- Nymoen – New Meadow
- økland – Island Land
- Opheim – Upper Home
- øverland – Upper Land
- øyen – Island
- Ramstad – Ridge Place
- Skår – Cut
- Skeie – Narrow Ridge
- Stenersen – Son of Stener
- Sundby – South Farm
- Vangen – Field
- Volden – Field
- Wiig – Bay
More Lists:
Famous People with Norwegian Last Names
Magnus Carlsen is a five-time World Chess Champion and a legendary chess grandmaster. Born in Norway in 1990, he was a chess prodigy who earned the grandmaster title when he was only 13. Carlsen is a patronymic Norwegian surname meaning ‘son of Carl,’ which means ‘man’ in Old Norse.
Edvard Munch is a renowned painter whose emotionally intense painting, The Scream, has become one of the West’s most recognizable works of art. He was born in Norway in 1863 and painted vivid scenes reflecting his emotional and psychological states. Munch is a Norwegian surname meaning ‘monk’.
Henrik Ibsen, born in Norway in 1828, was one of the greatest playwrights of his era. His works are performed on stages across the globe and are some of the most accomplished in the genre of dramatism. Ibsen is often called ‘the father of realism.’ Ibsen is a Norwegian surname meaning ‘son of Jacob,’ meaning ‘to follow.’
Sigrid Solbakk Raabe is a singer and songwriter who has toured around the world. She was born in Norway in 1996 and sings about themes of sadness and frustration, even producing a song in the fictional language Simlish. Raabe is a Norwegian last name which originates from a Prussian clan name meaning ‘raven.’
Viktor Hovland was born in Norway in 1997 and has become an outstanding golfer. He played golf for Oklahoma State University, and after graduation, he played at several national and international tournaments. Hovland comes from the Old Norse words’ hof,’ meaning ‘temple/place of worship,’ and ‘land,’ meaning ‘farmstead.’
References
Information from Wikipedia on Norwegian surnames was used to collect this data.
Leave a Reply