100 Popular Viking Last Names
The surnames of the Vikings bear the weight of centuries of history, culture, and legends.
They often mirror the harsh and rugged lives led by the Norsemen, their mythologies, and their structures of society.
Viking last names give views into the Viking era and mark the kind of people who would shape the world as we know it-from fierce warriors and kings to skilled craftsmen and farmers.
The journeys and exploits that these names have survived witness to the legacies of gods, places, and occupations.
In this blog post, we will consider the origin and meaning of particular Viking last names.
Viking last names
Hansen – Son of Hans (derived from Johannes, meaning “John”).
Johansen – Son of Johan (meaning “God is gracious”).
Bjornsson – Son of Bjorn (meaning “bear”).
Eriksson – Son of Erik (meaning “eternal ruler”).
Olafsson – Son of Olaf (meaning “ancestor’s relic”).
Svennson – Son of Sven (meaning “young man” or “boy”).
Thorvaldsson – Son of Thorvald (meaning “Thor’s power”).
Jorgensen – Son of Jorgen (meaning “farmer”).
Larsen – Son of Lars (meaning “crowned with laurel” or “victory”).
Nilsen – Son of Nils (meaning “victory of the people”).
Gustafsson – Son of Gustaf (meaning “staff of the gods”).
Magnusson – Son of Magnus (meaning “great” or “mighty”).
Sigurdsson – Son of Sigurd (meaning “victory” and “guardian”).
Andersen – Son of Anders (meaning “manly” or “brave”).
Hagelberg – A place name meaning “hail mountain.”
Haldorsson – Son of Haldor (meaning “Thor’s rock”).
Runeson – Son of Rune (meaning “secret” or “mystery”).
Vikingsson – Son of the Viking (referring to a Norse explorer or warrior).
Valdemarsson – Son of Valdemar (meaning “ruler of the world”).
Bjorklund – A place name meaning “birch grove.”
Sjöberg – Meaning “lake mountain.”
Stromberg – A place name meaning “stream mountain.”
Skogman – Meaning “forest man.”
Ragnarsson – Son of Ragnar (meaning “warrior or judgment.”
Vikingstad – A place name meaning “Viking’s town.”
Kjeldsen – Son of Kjeld (meaning “sacred or holy”).
Alfsen – Son of Alf (meaning “elf” or “supernatural being”).
Falkenhamn – A place name meaning “falcon harbor.”
Hemmingsen – Son of Hemming (meaning “the homely or peaceful one”).
Lindstrom – A place name meaning “lime tree stream.”
Thorsteinsson – Son of Thorstein (meaning “Thor’s stone”).
Sveinson – Son of Svein (meaning “boy” or “young man”).
Torgersen – Son of Torger (meaning “Thor’s spear”).
Vidarsson – Son of Vidar (meaning “forest” or “widow’s son”).
Bergström – A place name meaning “mountain stream.”
Jarlsson – Son of Jarl (meaning “nobleman”).
Frodesen – Son of Frode (meaning “wise” or “clever”).
Skaldsson – Son of a Skald (a Viking poet or singer).
Löfvander – Meaning “tree warden.”
Skjoldborg – A place name meaning “shield fortress.”
Stenmark – A place name meaning “stone mark.”
Hrolfsson – Son of Hrolf (meaning “famous wolf”).
Vilde – Derived from Old Norse, meaning “wild” or “untamed.”
Torsson – Son of Thor (the Norse god of thunder).
Hodgson – Meaning “son of Hodge” (a medieval nickname for a man named Roger or Hrothgar).
Kvidberg – A place name meaning “white mountain.”
Borkmann – Meaning “man of the castle.”
Torgersen – Son of Torger (meaning “Thor’s spear”).
Freysdottir – Daughter of Frey (a Norse god associated with fertility).
Skjoldsdottir – Daughter of Skjold (meaning “shield”).
Alvesson – Son of Alve (meaning “elf”).
Bergman – Meaning “mountain man.”
Falkesson – Son of Falk (meaning “falcon”).
Gudmundsson – Son of Gudmund (meaning “God’s protection”).
Hauksson – Son of Hauk (meaning “hawk”).
Isaksson – Son of Isak (meaning “laughter” or “he will laugh”).
Ingmarsson – Son of Ingmar (meaning “son of Ing”).
Jarnskjold – Meaning “iron shield.”
Karlsen – Son of Karl (meaning “free man” or “man”).
Lindqvist – A place name meaning “lime branch.”
Mikkelsen – Son of Mikkel (meaning “who is like God?”).
Olausson – Son of Olaus (meaning “ancestor’s relic”).
Rundqvist – Meaning “round branch.”
Sverrisson – Son of Sverre (meaning “wild” or “stormy”).
Thorbergsson – Son of Thorberg (meaning “Thor’s mountain”).
Torvaldsson – Son of Torvald (meaning “Thor’s power”).
Valthjofsson – Son of Valthjof (meaning “son of the wolf”).
Jarnlund – Meaning “iron grove.”
Kallsson – Son of Kall (meaning “man” or “young man”).
Kristoffersen – Son of Kristoffer (meaning “Christ-bearer”).
Ljosberg – A place name meaning “light mountain.”
Norrman – Meaning “northern man.”
Nygaard – A place name meaning “new farm.”
Petersen – Son of Peter (meaning “rock” or “stone”).
Ragnaldsson – Son of Ragnald (meaning “counsel” and “rule”).
Runarsson – Son of Runar (meaning “rune” or “secret”).
Skjoldr – Meaning “shield” or “defender.”
Stigsson – Son of Stig (meaning “path” or “road”).
Sundberg – A place name meaning “lake mountain.”
Tordarson – Son of Tord (meaning “Thor’s thunder”).
Vagnsson – Son of Vagn (meaning “wagon” or “carriage”).
Waldemarsson – Son of Waldemar (meaning “ruler of the world”).
Åkesson – Son of Åke (meaning “ancestor’s relic”).
Hakonsson – Son of Hakon (meaning “high son” or “noble son”).
Hjortsson – Son of Hjort (meaning “deer”).
Ingolfsson – Son of Ingolf (meaning “Ing’s wolf”).
Jorundsson – Son of Jorund (meaning “horse” or “mountain”).
Kjorsson – Son of Kjor (meaning “swiftness” or “speed”).
Lofthus – A place name meaning “praise house.”
Modin – Meaning “bravery” or “courage.”
Njalsson – Son of Njal (meaning “champion”).
Ruriksson – Son of Rurik (meaning “famous ruler”).
Sigvaldi – Meaning “victory rule.”
Skjelbred – Meaning “rock born.”
Steinnsson – Son of Steinn (meaning “stone”).
Torsen – Son of Thor (meaning “thunder god”).
Vali – Derived from the Norse god Vali (meaning “avenger”).
Vidfinnsson – Son of Vidfinn (meaning “forest finder”).
Voldemarsen – Son of Voldemar (meaning “rule of the world”).
Yngvesson – Son of Yngve (meaning “god of fertility”).
