Swedish Last Names: A Comprehensive Guide to Meanings and Origins

Are you curious about the origins and meanings behind Swedish last names? Sweden boasts a rich tapestry of surnames, reflecting the country's history, culture, and language. This comprehensive list delves into the fascinating stories behind some of the most common and unique Swedish last names, offering insights into their meanings and ancestral ties. Whether you're tracing your family lineage or simply seeking an understanding of Swedish naming traditions, this guide will provide a valuable resource.
1. **Andersson:** Son of Anders, a common name meaning "man of mankind" or "defender of men."
2. **Carlsson:** Son of Carl, a name of German origin meaning "free man" or "strong man."
3. **Johansson:** Son of Johan, a Hebrew name meaning "God is gracious."
4. **Nilsson:** Son of Nils, a Scandinavian name meaning "champion" or "victorious."
5. **Pettersson:** Son of Peter, a Greek name meaning "stone" or "rock."
6. **Eriksson:** Son of Erik, a Scandinavian name meaning "ever ruler" or "eternal ruler."
7. **Olsson:** Son of Olof, a Scandinavian name meaning "ancestor" or "heritage."
8. **Persson:** Son of Per, a short form of Peter, meaning "stone" or "rock."
9. **Larsson:** Son of Lars, a Scandinavian name meaning "glory" or "fame."
10. **Svensson:** Son of Sven, a Scandinavian name meaning "youth" or "young."
11. **Gustafsson:** Son of Gustaf, a German name meaning "God's protection."
12. **Lundgren:** From the green meadow, referring to a person who lived near a meadow.
13. **Johansson:** Son of Johan, a Hebrew name meaning "God is gracious."
14. **Bergman:** From the mountain man, referring to a person who lived on or near a mountain.
15. **Lindgren:** From the linden tree grove, referring to a person who lived near a linden tree grove.
16. **Wiklund:** From the meadow clearing, referring to a person who lived near a meadow clearing.
17. **Svensson:** Son of Sven, a Scandinavian name meaning "youth" or "young."
18. **Lindberg:** From the linden tree hill, referring to a person who lived near a linden tree hill.
19. **Hultgren:** From the forest clearing, referring to a person who lived near a forest clearing.
20. **Nyström:** From the new stream, referring to a person who lived near a new stream.
21. **Olsson:** Son of Olof, a Scandinavian name meaning "ancestor" or "heritage."
22. **Karlsson:** Son of Karl, a German name meaning "free man" or "strong man."
23. **Magnusson:** Son of Magnus, a Latin name meaning "great" or "mighty."
24. **Jonsson:** Son of Jon, a Hebrew name meaning "God is gracious."
25. **Jansson:** Son of Jan, a Swedish variation of John, meaning "God is gracious."
26. **Pettersson:** Son of Peter, a Greek name meaning "stone" or "rock."
27. **Danielsson:** Son of Daniel, a Hebrew name meaning "God is my judge."
28. **Englund:** From the English meadow, referring to a person who came from England or lived near a meadow.
29. **Eklund:** From the oak meadow, referring to a person who lived near an oak meadow.
30. **Hallgren:** From the hall grove, referring to a person who lived near a grove with a hall.
31. **Gustafsson:** Son of Gustaf, a German name meaning "God's protection."
32. **Åkesson:** Son of Åke, a Scandinavian name meaning "noble" or "high-born."
33. **Sjöberg:** From the mountain lake, referring to a person who lived near a lake on a mountain.
34. **Larsson:** Son of Lars, a Scandinavian name meaning "glory" or "fame."
35. **Kjellgren:** From the spring or fountain, referring to a person who lived near a spring or fountain.
36. **Eriksson:** Son of Erik, a Scandinavian name meaning "ever ruler" or "eternal ruler."
37. **Andersson:** Son of Anders, a common name meaning "man of mankind" or "defender of men."
38. **Axelsson:** Son of Axel, a Scandinavian name meaning "father of peace."
39. **Nilsson:** Son of Nils, a Scandinavian name meaning "champion" or "victorious."
40. **Persson:** Son of Per, a short form of Peter, meaning "stone" or "rock."
41. **Bergqvist:** From the mountain grove, referring to a person who lived near a grove on a mountain.
42. **Johansson:** Son of Johan, a Hebrew name meaning "God is gracious."
43. **Fredriksson:** Son of Fredrik, a German name meaning "peaceful ruler."
44. **Håkansson:** Son of Håkan, a Scandinavian name meaning "high king" or "great ruler."
45. **Lindström:** From the linden tree stream, referring to a person who lived near a stream with linden trees.
46. **Lindqvist:** From the linden tree grove, referring to a person who lived near a linden tree grove.
47. **Jakobsson:** Son of Jakob, a Hebrew name meaning "supplanter" or "he who follows."
48. **Magnusson:** Son of Magnus, a Latin name meaning "great" or "mighty."
49. **Olofsson:** Son of Olof, a Scandinavian name meaning "ancestor" or "heritage."
50. **Karlsson:** Son of Karl, a German name meaning "free man" or "strong man."