Last Name Carlson

The surname Carlson is a patronymic derived from the given name Carl, which originates from the Old Norse name Karl, meaning "man" or "free man." This name was popular among Scandinavian and Germanic peoples. The suffix "-son" indicates that the original bearer of this name had a son named Carl. Over time, the spelling has been adapted to various regional dialects, resulting in variations such as Karlsson (Swedish), Karson (Danish), and Karlsen (Norwegian). In the United States, the name Carlson is often found among immigrants from Scandinavian countries.

Learn more about the origin of the last name Carlson

The meaning and origin of the last name Carlson

The surname Carlson is of Scandinavian origin, specifically from Norway, Denmark, and Sweden. It is derived from the Old Norse name "Karl" which means 'free man' or 'man' and the patronymic suffix "-sson", indicating a son of Karl. Over time, the spelling has evolved to become Carlson in various regions, particularly among Scandinavian immigrants in North America. The name was often adopted by those who wished to maintain their cultural identity while assimilating into their new countries. It gained widespread popularity among early Swedish and Norwegian settlers in the United States, with notable bearers including explorers, politicians, athletes, and artists. Today, it remains a common surname across Scandinavia and North America.

Geographical distribution of the last name Carlson

The surname Carlson has its origins in Scandinavian countries, particularly Denmark and Norway, where it is one of the most common surnames. Historically, it was also widespread in Iceland due to Viking influences. In North America, the name is predominantly found among descendants of Scandinavian immigrants, with high concentrations in areas such as Minnesota, Wisconsin, and North Dakota in the United States, and Saskatchewan, Manitoba, and British Columbia in Canada. The name can also be found in pockets throughout other parts of the U.S., particularly in regions with a historical Scandinavian presence like the Pacific Northwest. In Europe, aside from its Scandinavian heartland, Carlson can also be found in Germany, Austria, and Denmark's Schleswig-Holstein region due to historical events like the Danish Reformation and German colonization of these areas.

Variants and spellings of the last name Carlson

The surname Carlson has several variations and spellings. They include Carlsson (Swedish), Karlsen (Norwegian and Icelandic), Karlsson (Danish, Faroese, Finnish, and Swedish again), Karlzon (rare Swedish variant), and Karlson (German, Dutch, English, and American). Other less common variations can be found in languages that have adapted the name over time or through different phonetic influences. For example, Karolson in Lithuanian, Karolsson in Estonian, or Karalson in Latvian. These are all derivatives of the original Scandinavian form Carlsson, which means "man" (Karl) and "son" (-son), indicating a "son of Karl".

Famous people with the last name Carlson

The Carlson family has produced several notable figures across various fields. Tucker Carlson, an American conservative political commentator and television personality, hosts the Fox News Channel program "Tucker Carlson Tonight." Previously, he co-hosted CNN's Crossfire and was a correspondent for MSNBC. Another prominent member is John B. Carlson, a renowned oceanographer who made significant contributions to the understanding of ocean circulation patterns and climate change. He spent over 30 years with the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution (WHOI). Furthermore, Stephanie A. Carlson is a distinguished professor of psychology at the University of Minnesota, specializing in the study of autism spectrum disorders. Lastly, Trish Regan, formerly a Fox Business Network host, was the first woman to anchor CNBC's Squawk on the Street. These individuals represent a diverse range of professions and accomplishments within their respective fields.

Genealogical research on the last name Carlson

The surname Carlson is of Scandinavian origin, derived from the Old Norse name Karlsson, meaning "Son of Karl." The name Karl, which evolved into Carl or Charles in other languages, was popular among the Vikings and Northern Europeans. The patronymic suffix "-son" indicates the son of a particular individual.

The Carlsons can be traced back to ancient Scandinavian clans, primarily in Sweden and Norway. Some early records show the name appearing as early as the 14th century, such as Erik Karlsson in Sweden (circa 1350) and Knut Carlson in Norway (circa 1370).

Emigration from Scandinavia to North America began in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. The Carlsons settled predominantly in the United States, Canada, and Denmark. Notable descendants of the Carlson family include American baseball player Jimmie Carlson (1894-1976) and Danish physicist Niels Bohr's son Aage Niels Bohr, who was a prominent nuclear physicist in his own right. Today, the surname Carlson is widespread across Scandinavia, North America, and other regions settled by Nordic migrants.

Last name distribution maps

Sources & References

• INSEE statistics on the surname "Carlson"
• Global distribution of the surname on Forebears.io
• Wikipedia Article

About the author :

NomOrigine Team
Passionate about genealogy, name history, and linguistics, we have been analyzing the origins of names for over 3 years. Our content is based on verified historical, etymological, and statistical data.
Last updated : 10 June 2025

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