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 – Son of Magnus
- Karsten – Christian
- Nielsen – Son of Niels
- Carlson – Son of Carl
- Eriksson – Son of Erik
- Westergaard – Western farm
- Knudtson – Son of Knudt
- Nyberg – New mountain
- Thostenson – Son of Thosten
- Haraldson – Son of Harald
- Alfson – Son of Alf
- Nylund – New grove
- Gulbrandsen – Son of Gulbrand
- Borg – Fortress
- Salverson – Son of Salver
- Berg – Mountain
- Lund – Grove
- Ohlson – Son of Ohl
- Kolbeck – Coal stream
- Ellingboe – Elling’s farm
- Hansen – Son of Hans
- Risberg – Brushwood mountain
- Bielke – Beam
- Sandberg – Sand mountain
- Bunderson – Son of Bunde
- Eskildsen – Son of Eskild
- Sigmond – Protection mouth
- Fredrikson – Son of Fredrik
- Skau – Forest
- Estenson – Son of Esten
- Thorp – Village
- Andersson – Son of Anders
- Nyborg – New fortress
- Nygaard – New farm
- Frydenlund – Peaceful grove
- Nyhus – New house
- Truelson – Son of Truel
- Knut – Knot
- Peerson – Son of Peer
- Friberg – Free mountain
- Tranum – Crane meadow
- Hjorth – Deer
- Edman – Prosperous man
- Soelberg – Sun mountain
- Fagerberg – Beautiful mountain
- Iverson – Son of Iver
- Nord – North
- Gulbrandson – Son of Gulbrand
- Falkenberg – Falcon mountain
- Toft – Homestead
- Hartvigsen – Son of Hartvig
- Helvig – Healthy war
- Emanuelson – Son of Emanuel
- Steenberg – Stone mountain
- Ericson – Son of Eric
- Steensen – Son of Steen
- Holmen – Islet
- Nyland – New land
- Erling – Descendant
- Thomason – Son of Thomas
- Halvorson – Son of Halvor
- Mathieson – Son of Mathies
- Larsen – Son of Lars
- Vagle – Watch out
- Brand – Fire
- Junge – Young
- Lorenzen – Son of Lorenz
- Riis – Brushwood
- Johnsen – Son of John
- Rosenberg – Rose mountain
- Jensen – Son of Jens
- Krogh – Branch
- Beck – Stream
- Jacobsen – Son of Jacob
- Christensen – Son of Christen
- Haugen – Hill
- Olsen – Son of Ol
- Helgason – Son of Helga
- Lindquist – Lime tree twig
- Johansen – Son of Johan
- Nybo – New farm
- Trygg – Safe
- Oscar – Divine spear
- Hagen – Enclosed land
- Fredrickson – Son of Fredrick
- Gustafsson – Son of Gustaf
- Andersen – Son of Anders
- Gunnar – Warrior
- Engberg – Meadow mountain
- Olander – Islander
- Bjerke – Birch
- Pihl – Willow
- Engman – Meadow man
- Westberg – West mountain
- Pedersen – Son of Peder
- Breiner – Bridge keeper
- Lind – Lime tree
- Stendahl – Stone valley
- Christeson – Son of Christe
- Bengtsson – Son of Bengt
Patronymic and Matronymic Viking Last Names
The naming convention among the Vikings, particularly in Iceland and other Norse cultures, often involved patronymic and sometimes matronymic surnames. This tradition reflected the parent’s first name rather than the family name. So, a woman named Helga, Erik’s daughter, would be known as Helga Eriksdóttir. Similarly, a man named Bjorn, Erik’s son, would be known as Bjorn Eriksson.
This naming system didn’t necessarily apply to all Norse cultures or at all times. Still, it was prominent in Icelandic and other Norse societies during the Viking Age. Norse culture was not homogeneous, and variations in naming conventions could occur in different regions and periods.
Patronymic Viking Last Names (Males)
For males, the surname typically ended in “-sen” or “-son,” which means “son of” in Old Norse. For example, if a man’s father were named Erik, his surname would be Eriksen.
- Albertsen – Son of Albert
- Andreassen – Son of Andreas
- Askelson – Son of Askel
- Benson – Son of Ben
- Berntsen – Son of Bernt
- Borgerson – Son of Borger
- Borgeson – Son of Borger
- Elison – Son of Elias
- Eriksen – Son of Erik
- Eskelson – Son of Eskel
- Evensen – Son of Even
- Gulbranson – Son of Gulbrand
- Gundersen – Son of Gunder
- Gunvaldsen – Son of Gunvald
- Gustason – Son of Gusta
- Gustavson – Son of Gustav
- Guttormson – Son of Guttorm
- Haldorson – Son of Haldor
- Halvorsen – Son of Halvor
- Haraldsen – Son of Harald
- Haralson – Son of Harald
- Holgersen – Son of Holger
- Ivarson – Son of Ivar
- Johannessen – Son of Johannes
- Johansson – Son of Johan
- Jørgensen – Son of Jørgen
- Karlsen – Son of Karl
- Karlsson – Son of Karl
- Knutsen – Son of Knut
- Kristiansen – Son of Kristian
- Larrsen – Son of Lar
- Leifsson – Son of Leif
- Lorenson – Son of Loren
- Mathison – Son of Mathi
- Matsen – Son of Mats
- Nilsen – Son of Nils
- Nilsson – Son of Nils
- Olafson – Son of Olaf
- Oliversen – Son of Oliver
- Ovesen – Son of Ove
- Pettersen – Son of Petter
- Sigurdson – Son of Sigurd
- Solveigson – Son of Solveig
- Svensen – Son of Sven
- Torgrimson – Son of Torgrim
- Tostenson – Son of Tosten
- Trulson – Son of Trul
Matronymic Viking Last Names (Females)
For females, the surname typically ended in “-dóttir,” which means “daughter of” in Old Norse. For example, if a woman’s father were named Erik, her surname would be Eriksdóttir.
- Asaolfsdottir – Daughter of Asaolf
- Audunsdottir – Daughter of Audun
- Bjornsdottir – Daughter of Bjorn
- Brynhildsdottir – Daughter of Brynhild
- Eiriksdottir – Daughter of Eirik
- Estridsdottir – Daughter of Estrid
- Freyadottir – Daughter of Freya
- Gisladottir – Daughter of Gisli
- Gudrunsdottir – Daughter of Gudrun
- Haldorsdottir – Daughter of Haldor
- Haraldsdottir – Daughter of Harald
- Helgasdottir – Daughter of Helga
- Hildafridottir – Daughter of Hildafrid
- Ingridsdottir – Daughter of Ingrid
- Lagerthasdottir – Daughter of Lagertha
- Olafsdottir – Daughter of Olaf
- Ragnaldsdottir – Daughter of Ragnald
- Sifsdottir – Daughter of Sif
- Sigridsdottir – Daughter of Sigrid
- Sigurdottir – Daughter of Sigurd
- Thorgilsdottir – Daughter of Thorgils
- Thyraesdottir – Daughter of Thyrae
- Yngvarsdottir – Daughter of Yngvar
A-Z of Viking Last Names
Vikings, particularly in Norse cultures like those of Iceland, Norway, and Denmark, used a variety of naming conventions that went beyond just patronymic or matronymic systems. While the most common method was to use “-son” or “-dóttir” after a parent’s first name, there were other ways in which Vikings named themselves, including references to nature, occupations, personal characteristics, or notable deeds. Here are some examples:
- Aaberg – Stream mountain
- Arnulf – Eagle wolf
- Årud – River clearing
- Asquith – East wood
- Asulf – God wolf
- Austr – East
- Aven – River
- Axel – Father of peace
- Backe – Hill or stream
- Bakken – The hill
- Becher – Cup or beaker
- Becker – Baker
- Bell – Bell
- Bergh – Mountain
- Bernt – Bear
- Bjerk – Birch
- Bjørn – Bear
- Blom – Flower
- Bonde – Farmer
- Bro – Bridge
- Dahl – Valley
- Dalgaard – Valley farm
- Daman – Taming or subduing
- Falk – Falcon
- Forberg – Fore mountain
- Friis – Free or noble
- Frisk – Fresh or healthy
- Gangestad – Walk town
- Geir – Spear
- Gonnor – Battle rager
- Gounouf – Battle wolf
- Gunnhild – Battle war
- Gunnulf – Battle wolf
- Gunnvor – Cautious in war
- Håkon – High son
- Halcro – Holy cross
- Halpain – Holy pain
- Hatlen – Hat valley
- Haugrud – Hill clearing
- Haugstad – Hill place
- Havard – High guardian
- Hávarðr – High guardian
- Hazelrigg – Hazel ridge
- Heddle – Slope
- Hesketh – Horse land
- Heskin – Hazel land
- Hillesland – Hill’s land
- Hjelmstad – Helmet place
- Hohlt – Hollow
- Holderness – Hollow land
- Holgata – Hollow road
- Horn – Horn
- Hvalman – Whale man
- Igouf – Ing’s wolf
- Ingolf – Ing’s wolf
- Ingouf – Ing’s wolf
- Jostad – Horse stead
- Kolsrud – Coal clearing
- Krog – Inn or tavern
- Kron – Crown
- Krum – Crooked or bent
- Kvalheim – Whale home
- Landvik – Land bay
- Leif – Heir or descendant
- Lewthwaite – Meadow clearing
- Ness – Headland
- Nygard – New farm
- Oman – Man
- Ragnhild – Battle counsel
- Ragnulf – Battle wolf
- Sandoe – Sand island
- Saxby – Sword village
- Scargill – Rocky hill
- Sigrunn – Victory rune
- Siv – Bride or marriage
- Steinar – Stone warrior
- Stinar – Stone warrior
- Strand – Beach
- Thorgard – Thor’s enclosure
- Thorketill – Thor’s cauldron
- Thorstein – Thor’s stone
- Thorvald – Thor’s ruler
- Torp – Village or farmstead
- Torstein – Thor’s stone
- Torunn – Thor’s love
- Tourquétil – Thor’s cauldron
- Trygve – Trustworthy
- Turgard – Thor’s enclosure
- Turid – Beautiful Thor
- Ulf – Wolf
- Unfrid – Peaceful heritage
- Valdemar – Famous ruler
- Vang – Field or meadow
- Varanger – Warrior shield
- Varangot – Warrior Goth
- Varangr – Warrior
- Vidar – Forest warrior
- Vigdis – War goddess
- Vilulf – Will wolf
- Voll – Meadow or field
- Westergard – Western farm
- Wolstenholme – Wolf stone home
- Wragg – Twist or turn
- Ygouf – God Ing’s wolf, warrior
- Yngouf – God’s warrior
- Youf – God Ing’s wolf, warrior
- Yver – Eager or zealous
More Lists:
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.’
Leave a Reply