100 Cool Icelandic Last Names

The Icelandic last name system differs from most Western traditions.

In this country, children inherit a name based on their father’s first name, which is usually patronymic, but can also be matronymic.

As such, brothers and sisters will have different last names, and these may change from generation to generation.

This article delves into the intriguing history of Icelandic naming customs, how these operate in the day-to-day experience, and why Iceland has, for the most part, resisted the shift to permanent family surnames like the rest of the world.

Icelandic last Names

Jónsson – Son of Jón

Jónsdóttir – Daughter of Jón

Guðmundsson – Son of Guðmundur

Guðmundsdóttir – Daughter of Guðmundur

Sigurðsson – Son of Sigurður

Sigurðardóttir – Daughter of Sigurður

Ólafsson – Son of Ólafur

Ólafsdóttir – Daughter of Ólafur

Magnússon – Son of Magnús

Magnúsdóttir – Daughter of Magnús

Björnsson – Son of Björn

Björnsdóttir – Daughter of Björn

Einarsson – Son of Einar

Einarsdóttir – Daughter of Einar

Kristjánsson – Son of Kristján

Kristjánsdóttir – Daughter of Kristján

Helgason – Son of Helgi

Helgadóttir – Daughter of Helgi

Arnarson – Son of Örn (meaning “eagle”)

Arnardóttir – Daughter of Örn

Þórarinsson – Son of Þórarinn

Þórarinsdóttir – Daughter of Þórarinn

Gunnarsson – Son of Gunnar

Gunnarsdóttir – Daughter of Gunnar

Pálsson – Son of Páll

Pálsdóttir – Daughter of Páll

Stefánsson – Son of Stefán

Stefánsdóttir – Daughter of Stefán

Ragnarsson – Son of Ragnar

Ragnarsdóttir – Daughter of Ragnar

Benediktsson – Son of Benedikt

Benediktsdóttir – Daughter of Benedikt

Halldórsson – Son of Halldór

Halldórsdóttir – Daughter of Halldór

Friðriksson – Son of Friðrik

Friðriksdóttir – Daughter of Friðrik

Emilsson – Son of Emil

Emilsdóttir – Daughter of Emil

Hákonarson – Son of Hákon

Hákonardóttir – Daughter of Hákon

Valdimarsson – Son of Valdimar

Valdimarsdóttir – Daughter of Valdimar

Tryggvason – Son of Tryggvi

Tryggvadóttir – Daughter of Tryggvi

Snorrason – Son of Snorri

Snorradóttir – Daughter of Snorri

Þorsteinsson – Son of Þorsteinn

Þorsteinsdóttir – Daughter of Þorsteinn

Árnason – Son of Árni

Árnadóttir – Daughter of Árni

Karlsson – Son of Karl

Karlsdóttir – Daughter of Karl

Elíasson – Son of Elías

Elíasdóttir – Daughter of Elías

Heiðarsson – Son of Heiðar

Heiðardóttir – Daughter of Heiðar

Kristinsson – Son of Kristinn

Kristinsdóttir – Daughter of Kristinn

Ásgeirsson – Son of Ásgeir

Ásgeirsdóttir – Daughter of Ásgeir

Tómasson – Son of Tómas

Tómasdóttir – Daughter of Tómas

Vilhjálmsson – Son of Vilhjálmur

Vilhjálmsdóttir – Daughter of Vilhjálmur

Jóhannsson – Son of Jóhann

Jóhannsdóttir – Daughter of Jóhann

Baldursson – Son of Baldur

Baldursdóttir – Daughter of Baldur

Geirsson – Son of Geir

Geirsdóttir – Daughter of Geir

Hermannsson – Son of Hermann

Hermanns­dóttir – Daughter of Hermann

Sigbjörnsson – Son of Sigbjörn

Sigbjörnsdóttir – Daughter of Sigbjörn

Óskarsson – Son of Óskar

Óskarsdóttir – Daughter of Óskar

Marteinsson – Son of Marteinn

Marteinsdóttir – Daughter of Marteinn

Erlendsson – Son of Erlendur

Erlendsdóttir – Daughter of Erlendur

Unnarsson – Son of Unnar

Unnarsdóttir – Daughter of Unnar

Þórhallsson – Son of Þórhallur

Þórhallsdóttir – Daughter of Þórhallur

Steinarsson – Son of Steinar

Steinarsdóttir – Daughter of Steinar

Ketilsson – Son of Ketill

Ketilsdóttir – Daughter of Ketill

Leifsson – Son of Leifur

Leifsdóttir – Daughter of Leifur

Daníelsson – Son of Daníel

Daníelsdóttir – Daughter of Daníel

Runólfsson – Son of Runólfur

Runólfsdóttir – Daughter of Runólfur

Bjartsson – Son of Bjartur

Bjartsdóttir – Daughter of Bjartur

Egilsson – Son of Egill

Egilsdóttir – Daughter of Egill

Hjálmarsson – Son of Hjálmar

Hjálmarsdóttir – Daughter of Hjálmar