Viking last names reflect the ideals their people saw as important: courage, strength, and intelligence, while also referencing their paternal ancestry. We have searched through historical records and legends to curate a comprehensive list of Viking surnames.
What are Viking Last Names?
Viking last names were typically patronymic, which means that they carried the first name of their father as their last name. This name would be followed by suffixes such as -son to or -dottir to indicate if the person was a son or daughter. However, there were exceptions to this practice, and hence the names on our lists do not look or sound the same.
Using the name of one’s father as a last name allowed for the best hoped-for traits, legendary events, and social standings to be passed down family lines. Viking last names venerated their gods and even the gods of the cultures they traded with, or invaded, places of birth, and indicated information about their lineage. There are thousands of Viking last names due to the use of paternal first names. Keep scrolling to read our comprehensive lists of the best Viking family names these warriors had to offer.
Top 100 Viking Last Names
These are our top Viking last names, ranging from the names of the most terrifying of raiders to the most peaceful of poets. Keep reading to find a Viking surname from the Viking Age.
- Magnuson
- Karsten
- Nielsen
- Carlson
- Eriksson
- Westergaard
- Knudtson
- Nyberg
- Thostenson
- Haraldson
- Alfson
- Nylund
- Gulbrandsen
- Borg
- Salverson
- Berg
- Lund
- Ohlson
- Kolbeck
- Ellingboe
- Hansen
- Risberg
- Bielke
- Sandberg
- Bunderson
- Eskildsen
- Sigmond
- Fredrikson
- Skau
- Estenson
- Thorp
- Andersson
- Nyborg
- Nygaard
- Frydenlund
- Nyhus
- Truelson
- Knut
- Peerson
- Friberg
- Tranum
- Hjorth
- Edman
- Soelberg
- Fagerberg
- Iverson
- Nord
- Gulbrandson
- Falkenberg
- Toft
- Hartvigsen
- Helvig
- Emanuelson
- Steenberg
- Ericson
- Steensen
- Holmen
- Nyland
- Erling
- Thomason
- Halvorson
- Mathieson
- Larsen
- Vagle
- Brand
- Junge
- Lorenzen
- Riis
- Johnsen
- Rosenberg
- Jensen
- Krogh
- Beck
- Jacobsen
- Christensen
- Haugen
- Olsen
- Helgason
- Lindquist
- Johansen
- Nybo
- Trygg
- Oscar
- Hagen
- Fredrickson
- Gustafsson
- Andersen
- Gunnar
- Engberg
- Olander
- Bjerke
- Pihl
- Engman
- Westberg
- Pedersen
- Breiner
- Lind
- Stendahl
- Christeson
- Bengtsson
A-Z of Viking Last Names
We have compiled an A-to-Z list of Viking last names for your perusal. Not sure where to start learning about Viking last names? This comprehensive list is for you.
- Aaberg
- Albertsen
- Andreassen
- Arnulf
- Årud
- Askelson
- Asquith
- Asulf
- Austr
- Aven
- Axel
- Backe
- Bakken
- Becher
- Becker
- Bell
- Benson
- Bergh
- Bernt
- Berntsen
- Bjerk
- Bjørn
- Blom
- Bonde
- Borgerson
- Borgeson
- Bro
- Dahl
- Dalgaard
- Daman
- Elison
- Eriksen
- Eskelson
- Evensen
- Falk
- Forberg
- Friis
- Frisk
- Gangestad
- Geir
- Gonnor
- Gounouf
- Gulbranson
- Gundersen
- Gunnhild
- Gunnulf
- Gunnvor
- Gunvaldsen
- Gustason
- Gustavson
- Guttormson
- Håkon
- Halcro
- Haldorson
- Halpain
- Halvorsen
- Haraldsen
- Haralson
- Hatlen
- Haugrud
- Haugstad
- Havard
- Hávarðr
- Hazelrigg
- Heddle
- Hesketh
- Heskin
- Hillesland
- Hjelmstad
- Hohlt
- Holderness
- Holgata
- Holgersen
- Horn
- Hvalman
- Igouf
- Ingolf
- Ingouf
- Ivarson
- Johannessen
- Johansson
- Jørgensen
- Jostad
- Karlsen
- Karlsson
- Knutsen
- Kolsrud
- Kristiansen
- Krog
- Kron
- Krum
- Kvalheim
- Landvik
- Larrsen
- Leif
- Leifsson
- Lewthwaite
- Lorenson
- Mathison
- Matsen
- Ness
- Nilsen
- Nilsson
- Nygard
- Olafson
- Oliversen
- Oman
- Ovesen
- Pettersen
- Ragnhild
- Ragnulf
- Sandoe
- Saxby
- Scargill
- Sigrunn
- Sigurdson
- Siv
- Solveigson
- Steinar
- Stinar
- Strand
- Svensen
- Thorgard
- Thorketill
- Thorstein
- Thorvald
- Torgrimson
- Torp
- Torstein
- Torunn
- Tostenson
- Tourquétil
- Trulson
- Trygve
- Turgard
- Turid
- Ulf
- Unfrid
- Valdemar
- Vang
- Varanger
- Varangot
- Varangr
- Vidar
- Vigdis
- Vilulf
- Voll
- Westergard
- Wolstenholme
- Wragg
- Ygouf
- Yngouf
- Youf
- Yver
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Famous People with Viking Last Names
Leif Erikson died in Greenland in 1022 AD, and while we don’t know when he was born, we do know that he was likely the first European to land in the Americas. He journeyed to what is now Newfoundland nearly 500 years before Columbus’ arrival. The Viking last name, Erikson, means that he was the son of Erik, a name that means ‘eternal ruler.’
Ragnar Lothbrok wasn’t just a character made for the History Channel show Vikings. Old Norse poetry and sagas tell of Lothbrok as a great warrior and ruler in Denmark and Sweden. His last name, Lothbrok, means ‘hairy breeches’ or ‘hairy pants’, and was given to him after he defeated a snake while wearing such pants.
Gunnar Hamundarson was an Icelandic chieftain who lived and ruled during the 900s. The legends surrounding him could fit on the screen of a Marvel movie! He could leap high into the air with full armor on, and was known for his kindness and loyalty. His Viking surname Hamundarson means that he was the son of Hamundar, which could mean ‘sword of protection.’
Olaf Tryggvason ruled Norway from 995 AD to his death in 1000 AD. He was a renowned raider even amongst other Vikings, but on a raid to what is now Cornwall, England, he encountered Christianity and converted. He promoted Christianity during his reign, leading to the Christianity dominating Norway. His family name Tryggvason may mean ‘trustworthy’ or ‘honest.’
Freydis Erikdottir lived around the late 900s AD and was the daughter of Erik the Red, thus the name Erikdottir, meaning ‘daughter of Erik’. The name Erik itself means ‘eternal ruler.’
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