Swedish Last Names

Discover Swedish last names from Andersson and Johansson to nature compounds like Lindqvist and Bergström, each with its meaning, and see how Swedish families built and changed them.

300 real surnames with meanings, A to Z.

A

Åberg

River or stream and mountain
Abrahamsson

Son of Abraham, biblical name
Acrelius

Latinized clergy name, possibly from åker, field
Adolfsson

Son of Adolf, meaning noble wolf
Ahlberg

Alder tree and mountain
Ahlgren

Alder tree and branch
Ahlström

Alder tree and stream
Åkerlund

Farm field and grove
Åkerman

Field man, a farmer
Åkerström

Farm field and stream
Åkesson

Son of Åke, an Old Norse name
Albinsson

Son of Albin, meaning white
Alfredsson

Son of Alfred, meaning elf counsel
Alm

Elm tree, a nature name
Almgren

Elm tree and branch
Almqvist

Elm tree and twig
Andersson

Son of Anders, Swedish form of Andrew
Andreasson

Son of Andreas, form of Andrew
Ångström

Of uncertain first element, with ström, stream
Antonsson

Son of Anton, form of Anthony
Arrhenius

Latinized clergy name, possibly from Arena farm
Arvidsson

Son of Arvid, meaning eagle tree
Åström

River and stream
Augustsson

Son of August, meaning venerable
Aurivillius

Latinized from aurum, gold, and villa, farm
Axelsson

Son of Axel, Scandinavian form of Absalom

B

Bäcklund

Brook and grove
Bäckman

Brook man, dweller by a brook
Bäckström

Brook and stream
Bengtsson

Son of Bengt, Swedish form of Benedict
Berg

Mountain or hill
Berggren

Mountain and branch
Bergius

Latinized clergy name, from berg, mountain
Bergkvist

Mountain and twig, variant spelling
Berglund

Mountain and grove
Bergman

Mountain man, miner or hill dweller
Bergqvist

Mountain and twig
Bergström

Mountain and stream
Bertilsson

Son of Bertil, meaning bright
Berzelius

Latinized clergy name, possibly from Bergsäter
Birgersson

Son of Birger, meaning helper
Björk

Birch tree, a nature name
Björklund

Birch tree and grove
Björkman

Birch man, dweller by birches
Björling

From björk, birch, with -ling suffix
Blixt

Lightning, a Swedish soldier name
Blom

Flower or bloom, a nature name
Blomberg

Flower and mountain
Blomgren

Flower and branch
Blomqvist

Flower and twig
Börjesson

Son of Börje, from Birger
Boström

Possibly from bo, dwelling, and stream
Byström

Village and stream

C

Carlsson

Son of Carl, variant of Karlsson
Cederberg

Cedar and mountain, an ornamental name
Cederström

Cedar and stream, a noble family name
Celsius

Latinized from Högen farm, from celsus, high
Claesson

Son of Claes, short for Nicholas

D

Dahl

Valley, a nature name
Dahlberg

Valley and mountain
Dahlgren

Valley and branch
Dahlin

From dal, valley, with Latin-style suffix
Dahlström

Valley and stream
Danielsson

Son of Daniel, biblical name
Davidsson

Son of David, biblical name

E

Edvardsson

Son of Edvard, form of Edward
Ek

Oak tree, a nature name
Ekberg

Oak tree and mountain
Ekdahl

Oak tree and valley
Ekholm

Oak tree and islet
Eklund

Oak tree and grove
Ekman

Oak man, dweller by oaks
Ekström

Oak tree and stream
Ekvall

Oak tree and grassy field
Eliasson

Son of Elias, biblical name
Emanuelsson

Son of Emanuel, meaning God with us
Engberg

Meadow and mountain
Engdahl

Meadow and valley
Engelbrektsson

Son of Engelbrekt, a medieval Swedish name
Engman

Meadow man, dweller by a meadow
Engström

Meadow and stream
Enoksson

Son of Enok, form of Enoch
Eriksson

Son of Erik, meaning ever ruler
Erlandsson

Son of Erland, a Norse name

F

Falk

Falcon, a soldier or nature name
Filipsson

Son of Filip, form of Philip
Flink

Nimble or diligent, a soldier name
Folkesson

Son of Folke, meaning people
Forsberg

Rapids and mountain
Forsgren

Rapids and branch
Forslund

Rapids and grove
Forsman

Rapids man, dweller by rapids
Fransson

Son of Frans, form of Francis
Franzén

From Frans, with the stressed -én ending
Fredriksson

Son of Fredrik, meaning peaceful ruler
Frisk

Healthy or vigorous, a soldier name

G

Gadelius

Latinized family name of uncertain origin
Glad

Cheerful, a Swedish soldier name
Göransson

Son of Göran, Swedish form of George
Granberg

Spruce tree and mountain
Granlund

Spruce tree and grove
Granqvist

Spruce tree and twig
Granström

Spruce tree and stream
Grönberg

Green and mountain
Grönlund

Green and grove
Grönqvist

Green and twig
Gunnarsson

Son of Gunnar, meaning battle warrior
Gustafsson

Son of Gustaf, a royal Swedish name
Gustavsson

Son of Gustav, variant spelling of Gustafsson

H

Hagberg

Pasture enclosure and mountain
Hägglund

Bird cherry and grove
Häggström

Bird cherry and stream
Hagström

Pasture enclosure and stream
Håkansson

Son of Håkan, meaning high son
Hallberg

Rock slab and mountain
Hammarberg

Rocky crag and mountain
Hammarlund

Rocky crag and grove
Hammarström

Rocky crag and stream
Hansson

Son of Hans, short for Johannes
Haraldsson

Son of Harald, meaning army ruler
Hedberg

Heath and mountain
Hedin

From hed, heath, with Latin-style suffix
Hedlund

Heath and grove
Hedman

Heath man, dweller on a heath
Hedström

Heath and stream
Helgesson

Son of Helge, meaning holy
Hellberg

Flat rock and mountain
Hellgren

Flat rock and branch
Hellström

Flat rock and stream
Henriksson

Son of Henrik, form of Henry
Hermansson

Son of Herman, meaning army man
Hesselius

Latinized clergy name, possibly from hassel, hazel
Hjelm

Helmet, a Swedish soldier name
Hök

Hawk, a Swedish soldier name
Holgersson

Son of Holger, a Norse warrior name
Holm

Small island or islet
Holmberg

Islet and mountain
Holmgren

Islet and branch
Holmlund

Islet and grove
Holmqvist

Islet and twig
Holmström

Islet and stream
Hurtig

Brisk or quick, a soldier name

I

Ingvarsson

Son of Ingvar, warrior of the god Ing
Isaksson

Son of Isak, form of Isaac
Ivarsson

Son of Ivar, meaning bow warrior

J

Jakobsson

Son of Jakob, form of Jacob
Jansson

Son of Jan, form of John
Jeppsson

Son of Jeppe, form of Jacob
Joelsson

Son of Joel, biblical name
Johansson

Son of Johan, Swedish form of John
Johnsson

Son of John, variant spelling
Jonasson

Son of Jonas, biblical name
Jonsson

Son of Jon, form of John
Jönsson

Son of Jöns, southern Swedish form of John
Josefsson

Son of Josef, form of Joseph

K

Karlsson

Son of Karl, meaning free man
Klasson

Son of Klas, short for Nicholas
Knutsson

Son of Knut, meaning knot
Kolmodin

Clergy name, possibly from Kolmården forest
Kraft

Strength or power, a soldier name
Kristiansson

Son of Kristian, meaning Christian
Kvick

Quick or lively, a soldier name

L

Laestadius

Latinized clergy name, possibly from a place name
Lagerkvist

Laurel twig, a learned ornamental name
Lagerlöf

Laurel leaf, a learned ornamental name
Larsson

Son of Lars, Swedish form of Laurence
Laurin

Latinized from Laurentius, form of Lars
Lennartsson

Son of Lennart, form of Leonard
Lilja

Lily flower, a nature name
Liljegren

Lily and branch
Lind

Linden tree, a nature name
Lindahl

Linden tree and valley
Lindberg

Linden tree and mountain
Lindblad

Linden tree and leaf
Lindblom

Linden tree and flower
Lindell

From lind, linden, with -ell suffix
Lindén

From lind, linden, with the stressed -én ending of Swedish ornamental names
Lindgren

Linden tree and branch
Lindholm

Linden tree and islet
Lindkvist

Linden tree and twig, variant spelling
Lindqvist

Linden tree and twig
Lindström

Linden tree and stream
Linnaeus

Latinized from lind, linden tree
Ljung

Heather, a nature name
Ljungberg

Heather and mountain
Ljunggren

Heather and branch
Ljungqvist

Heather and twig
Löfberg

Leaf and mountain
Löfgren

Leaf and branch
Ludvigsson

Son of Ludvig, form of Louis
Lund

Grove or small wood
Lundberg

Grove and mountain
Lundell

From lund, grove, with -ell suffix
Lundgren

Grove and branch
Lundin

From lund, grove, with Latin-style suffix
Lundmark

Grove and field or land
Lundqvist

Grove and twig
Lundström

Grove and stream

M

Magnusson

Son of Magnus, meaning great
Malm

Ore, often from mining districts
Malmberg

Ore and mountain
Malmgren

Ore and branch
Malmström

Ore and stream
Månsson

Son of Måns, form of Magnus
Mårtensson

Son of Mårten, form of Martin
Martinsson

Son of Martin, from Latin Martinus
Mattsson

Son of Matts, form of Matthew
Mikaelsson

Son of Mikael, form of Michael
Moberg

Sandy heath and mountain
Modig

Brave, a Swedish soldier name
Molin

Possibly from mo, sandy heath, or mill
Mossberg

Bog or moss and mountain
Munter

Merry, a Swedish soldier name

N

Nicander

Hellenized learned name, from Greek victory and man
Niklasson

Son of Niklas, form of Nicholas
Nilsson

Son of Nils, Swedish form of Nicholas
Norberg

North and mountain, variant form
Nordberg

North and mountain
Nordgren

North and branch
Nordin

From nord, north, with Latin-style suffix
Nordlund

North and grove
Nordqvist

North and twig
Nordström

North and stream
Norén

From nord, north, with -én suffix
Nyberg

New mountain, a nature name
Nygren

New branch, a nature name
Nylund

New grove, a nature name
Nyman

New man, a newcomer
Nyqvist

New twig, a nature name
Nyström

New stream, a nature name

O

Öberg

Island and mountain
Ohlsson

Son of Ola or Olof, variant spelling
Öhman

Island man, an island dweller
Olofsson

Son of Olof, meaning ancestor's heir
Olsson

Son of Ola or Olof
Örn

Eagle, a Swedish soldier name
Oskarsson

Son of Oskar, a royal Swedish name
Östberg

East and mountain
Östlund

East and grove
Östman

East man, an easterner
Ottosson

Son of Otto, meaning wealth

P

Palm

Possibly from palm branches or willow catkins
Palmér

From palm, with the stressed -ér ending of Swedish ornamental names
Palmgren

Palm and branch, an ornamental name
Palmqvist

Palm and twig, an ornamental name
Pålsson

Son of Pål, form of Paul
Paulsson

Son of Paul, from Latin Paulus
Persson

Son of Per, Swedish form of Peter
Petersson

Son of Peter, variant of Pettersson
Petri

Latin genitive of Petrus, son of Peter
Pettersson

Son of Petter, form of Peter
Pihl

Arrow (or willow), a Swedish soldier name
Polhem

Ennobled name of inventor Christopher Polhammar

Q

Qvist

Twig or branch, a nature name

R

Rapp

Swift or nimble, a soldier name
Rask

Quick or swift, a soldier name
Rasmusson

Son of Rasmus, from Erasmus
Robertsson

Son of Robert, meaning bright fame
Rosén

From ros, rose, with -én suffix
Rosenberg

Rose and mountain
Rosengren

Rose and branch
Rosenqvist

Rose and twig

S

Samuelsson

Son of Samuel, biblical name
Sandberg

Sand and mountain
Sandgren

Sand and branch
Sandqvist

Sand and twig
Sandström

Sand and stream
Simonsson

Son of Simon, biblical name
Sjöberg

Lake and mountain
Sjödin

From sjö, lake, with Latin-style suffix
Sjögren

Lake and branch
Sjöholm

Lake and islet
Sjölund

Lake and grove
Sjöström

Lake and stream
Sköld

Shield, a Swedish soldier name
Söderberg

South and mountain
Söderlund

South and grove
Söderqvist

South and twig
Söderström

South and stream
Stenberg

Stone and mountain
Strand

Shore or beach, a nature name
Strandberg

Shore and mountain
Ström

Stream or current, a nature name
Strömberg

Stream and mountain
Sundberg

Strait or sound and mountain
Sundin

From sund, strait, with Latin-style suffix
Sundqvist

Strait or sound and twig
Sundström

Strait or sound and stream
Svensson

Son of Sven, meaning young man

T

Törnqvist

Thorn and twig

V

Viklund

Bay or inlet and grove, modern spelling

W

Wahlberg

Grassy bank and mountain
Wahlgren

Grassy bank and branch
Wahlström

Grassy bank and stream
Wallin

From vall, grassy bank or field
Wikberg

Bay or inlet and mountain
Wiklund

Bay or inlet and grove
Wikman

Bay man, dweller by an inlet
Wikström

Bay or inlet and stream
Wilhelmsson

Son of Wilhelm, form of William

Generate random swedish surnames

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Results (6)

Holmgren

Islet and branch
Håkansson

Son of Håkan, meaning high son
Karlsson

Son of Karl, meaning free man
Holmberg

Islet and mountain
Sandberg

Sand and mountain
Dahlgren

Valley and branch

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From patronymics to family names in Sweden

Until the late nineteenth century most Swedes used patronymics. Anders, son of Johan, was Anders Johansson, and his sister was Karin Johansdotter. The double s in names like Andersson and Johansson is the genitive: Anders plus s plus son. Because these names changed every generation, whole parishes filled with identical Johanssons and Karlssons, and a law of 1901 required every family to settle on one hereditary surname and keep it.

Most families simply froze their current patronymic, which is why Andersson, Johansson, Karlsson, Nilsson and Eriksson still head the national rankings. During the twentieth century the state encouraged people to take more distinctive names to ease the confusion, and many families did. Today anyone in Sweden can apply to change a surname, and a newly invented name must be unique, so new family names are still being created every year.

Nature names, soldier names and learned names

The most distinctive Swedish names are compounds made from two nature words. Lindqvist joins lind (linden tree) and kvist (twig), Bergström joins berg (mountain) and ström (stream), Sjöberg joins sjö (lake) and berg, and Ekström joins ek (oak) and ström. These names were fashionable among townspeople and craftsmen from the eighteenth century, and they often had no link to a real place. They simply sounded attractive, and many families picked them for that reason.

Two other groups add variety. Soldiers in the old allotment system received short, sharp names so officers could tell men apart, such as Stark (strong), Rask (quick), Modig (brave) and Hjort (deer). Clergy and scholars Latinised or Hellenised their names with endings like -ius, -aeus or -ander, giving Celsius and Linnaeus, and names such as Melander, a Greek rendering of Svartman (black man). These learned names still suggest an old academic or church family.

Common Swedish last names in the United States

About 1.3 million Swedes emigrated to North America between the 1850s and the 1930s, settling especially in Minnesota, Illinois, Wisconsin and Washington. Most dropped one s soon after arrival, so Johansson became Johnson and Andersson became Anderson. That shift, not Ellis Island clerks, is why Johnson and Anderson are so common in the Midwest. Some immigrants later chose a new name altogether because there were too many Johnsons in the same factory or town.

When you pick a name for a Swedish or Swedish American character, think about period and class. A farmhand in 1890 would almost certainly have a -son name, while a merchant or pastor might be a Lindgren or a Hedberg. In modern Sweden both types are ordinary. The list above gives meanings for each compound, so you can build a name that fits a character, such as Strömberg for someone who grew up beside a river.

Frequently asked questions

Which common Swedish last names lead the rankings?

Andersson, Johansson, Karlsson, Nilsson and Eriksson top the list, followed by Larsson, Olsson, Persson, Svensson and Gustafsson. The first names that are not patronymics, such as Lindberg, Lindström and Lindqvist, appear a little further down and are among the most recognisably Swedish names of all.

Why do Swedish last names ending in -son have a double s?

The first s belongs to the father's name in the genitive, meaning of, and the second begins the word son. So Andersson literally means son of Anders. When fixed surnames were required, families kept this spelling. In English speaking countries the double s was usually dropped, giving Anderson and Johnson.

Are Swedish nature names tied to real places?

Usually not. Compound names like Lindqvist or Bergström were chosen for how they sounded, drawing on a stock of pleasant nature words. A few do come from farms or villages, especially simple ones like Berg or Lund. The meaning beside each name in the list above shows the words that make it up.

How are Swedish names pronounced?

Stress usually falls on the first syllable. The letter j sounds like English y, the sj sound is a breathy noise somewhere between sh and h, and å is like the o in more. Swedish Americans generally use English pronunciations, and both styles are fine for a character, as long as you stay consistent.