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Last Name Elofson

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What is the origin of the last name Elofson?

The surname Elofson is of Swedish origin. It is a patronymic surname derived from the given name Erik (Swedish form of Eric), with the addition of the suffix -son, which denotes 'son of'. Thus, Elofson means 'son of Erik' or 'son of Olaf' (another possible interpretation for Erik in Old Norse). The name became common among the Swedish population due to the popularity of the name Erik and the widespread use of patronymic naming systems.

Learn more about the origin of the last name Elofson

The meaning and origin of the last name Elofson

The surname Elofson is a patronymic name of Swedish origin, derived from the given name Elias, which means "the Lord is my God." The suffix "-son" indicates that it was originally a son's name, meaning "son of Elias." The use of such names was common in Scandinavia during the Middle Ages and reflected the strong influence of Christianity on the region at that time. In modern times, variations of this surname include Eloffson, Elovson, and others. It is most prevalent among Swedish-Americans due to immigration waves from Sweden in the 19th and early 20th centuries.

Geographical distribution of the last name Elofson

The surname Elofson is primarily concentrated in Sweden and regions inhabited by Swedish descendants, such as North America, particularly the United States and Canada. In Sweden, it is most prevalent in Värmland, Dalarna, and Gävleborg counties, which are historically associated with rural farming communities and the Dalecarlian region known for its strong folk tradition. In the United States, a significant proportion of Elofsons can be found in Minnesota and Wisconsin due to the Scandinavian immigration during the 19th century. The name's distribution also extends to other parts of North America and Europe, reflecting the diaspora of Swedish immigrants over the centuries.

Variants and spellings of the last name Elofson

The surname Elofson has several variations and spellings due to differences in transcription and transliteration over time. Here are some of the most common versions:

1. Elofsson - the original Swedish spelling, which literally means "Elo's son."
2. Elofsén - a Finnish variant, with the addition of the diacritic mark 'å' replaced by 'ä'.
3. Eliofson - an English adaptation of the original Swedish spelling.
4. Eilofsön - another possible Finnish variation.
5. Ilofsson - a more archaic version of the original Swedish spelling, with the 'e' changed to 'i'.
6. Ilofson - another English adaptation, also stemming from the archaic version mentioned above.
7. Eloufsen/Elowfsen - some variations may have arisen due to slight misinterpretations or phonetic changes in pronunciation over time and culture.

Famous people with the last name Elofson

Notable individuals with the surname Elofson include:

1. Steve Elofson (born 1960), Canadian former ice hockey player who played for teams such as the Minnesota North Stars and the Montreal Canadiens, and was a member of the gold-medal winning Canadian Olympic ice hockey team in 2002.

2. David Elofson (born 1964), Swedish musician and songwriter, best known for being the original bassist for the heavy metal band, King's X.

3. Mattias Elofsson (born 1985), Swedish footballer who has played for several clubs in Sweden and Denmark, most notably AIK Fotboll and AC Horsens.

4. Lennart Elofson (1929-2018), Swedish linguist and author, known for his research on the history of the Scandinavian languages.

5. Kristofer Elofsson (born 1977), Swedish freestyle skier who won a gold medal at the 1998 Winter Olympics in the aerials event.

Genealogical research on the last name Elofson

The surname Elofson is of Scandinavian origin, specifically from Sweden and Norway. It is derived from the male given name Elias or Olaf, with 'son' added as a patronymic indicator. In Sweden, it is primarily found in Dalarna and Värmland provinces, while in Norway, it is most common in the eastern region. Notable figures bearing this name include Swedish politician and lawyer Per Elofson, Norwegian author Nils Elofson, and Swedish ice hockey player Johan Elofsson. The surname's distribution and historical records suggest a migration of Scandinavian settlers to various parts of the world, including North America and Australia.

Last name distribution maps

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NomOrigine Team
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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.

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