NomOrigine Background

Last Name Erickson

What is the origin of the last name Erickson?

The surname "Erickson" is a patronymic surname derived from the given name "Erik," which is a variation of the Old Norse name "Eiríkr." The prefix "Eir" derives from the Old Norse word "ein," meaning "one" or "alone," and the suffix "íkr" means "ruler" or "king." Therefore, "Eiríkr" roughly translates to "one ruler" or "sole ruler." The surname "Erickson" specifically indicates "son of Erik." It originated in Scandinavia, particularly in countries like Sweden, Norway, and Denmark. As with many patronymic surnames, it was commonly used to identify a person's lineage and connection to their father or male ancestor named Erik. Over time, people with the surname "Erickson" migrated to various parts of the world, leading to its presence in different countries today.

Please wait, data loading. It may take 1 minute or 2...

Learn more about the origin of the last name Erickson

The meaning and origin of the last name Erickson

The surname Erickson derives from the personal name "Eric," which has its roots in Old Norse and Old Swedish. The name "Eric" is believed to have originated from the Old Norse name "Eiríkr," composed of the elements "ei," meaning "ever" or "always," and "ríkr," meaning "ruler" or "king." Over time, the patronymic suffix "-son" was added, indicating "son of Eric." The surname Erickson, therefore, denotes "son of Eric" and signifies a familial connection to someone named Eric. It is a common Scandinavian surname, predominantly found in Sweden and Norway. Due to historic Scandinavian migration to other countries, individuals with the surname Erickson can also be found in various parts of the world, notably in the United States, Canada, and Australia. As with many surnames, variations and alternate spellings of Erickson exist, including Eriksson, Ericksson, Ericson, and others, depending on regional and linguistic influences.

Geographical distribution of the last name Erickson

The last name Erickson is predominantly found in Scandinavian countries, particularly in Sweden and Norway. It is a patronymic surname derived from the given name Erik, which means "eternal ruler" in Old Norse. As such, it is quite common among the population of these regions. In Sweden, the name Erickson is most prevalent in the central regions, including Stockholm, Uppsala, and Västra Götaland. In Norway, it is also commonly found in areas such as Oslo, Akershus, and Rogaland. The name may have spread to other countries through migration and emigration patterns. As a result, there are smaller pockets of people with the last name Erickson in other parts of the world, including the United States, Canada, Australia, and the United Kingdom. Overall, the geographical distribution of the last name Erickson primarily centers around its Nordic origins, reflecting the heritage and history of its bearers.

Variants and spellings of the last name Erickson

The last name Erickson has a few variations and potential spellings. One common variation is Erikson, which replaces the double 'r' with a single 'r'. Similarly, the surname Ericson is another alternative, which swaps the 'k' for a 'c' in its spelling. Another possible variation is Ericksson, with an additional 's' added between the 'k' and 'o'. Furthermore, there are slight spellings such as Erickcen, Erickzen, and Errickson, which may occur as a result of various regional and cultural influences. These variations arise due to individuals' personal preferences, how the name may have been modified over time, or even as a result of errors made in official records. Nevertheless, regardless of these spelling differences, they all essentially represent different branches of the same family tree, tracing back to the common origin of the last name Erickson.

Famous people with the last name Erickson

Erickson is a last name associated with several notable individuals who have made significant impacts in their respective fields. In the world of psychology, Erik Erikson stands out as a renowned psychoanalyst and developmental psychologist. His pioneering work on the theory of psychosocial development and identity formation has had a lasting impact on the field. In the realm of sports, Jim Erickson has made a name for himself as a legendary football coach, leading the University of Michigan to multiple victories during his tenure. In the music industry, Grammy-winning musician and producer Eric "Ricky" Erickson is recognized for his contributions to the rock genre as a member of the influential psychedelic rock band, The 13th Floor Elevators. These individuals, among others, have brought prominence to the last name Erickson through their notable achievements and contributions in various domains.

Genealogical research on the last name Erickson

The last name Erickson is of Scandinavian origin and is derived from the given name Erik, which itself is a variation of the Old Norse name Eiríkr. The name Eiríkr combines the elements "ei," meaning "always" or "ever," and "ríkr," meaning "ruler" or "king." Consequently, Erickson can be interpreted to mean "son of Erik" or "son of the eternal ruler." The surname Erickson first appeared in Norway and spread through migration to other Scandinavian countries, such as Sweden and Denmark. Over time, descendants bearing the name Erickson migrated further afield, particularly to English-speaking countries, resulting in the proliferation of this surname globally. Today, the Erickson name is relatively common, and numerous individuals with this last name can be found across the United States, Canada, Australia, and other regions where Scandinavian communities have established themselves. Genealogical research on the Erickson surname can reveal a rich history rooted in Scandinavian heritage, with potential connections to notable individuals and families throughout the years.

Sources & References

About the author :
NomOrigine Team
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 : 11 April 2025

Share the origin of your last name with your friends

Search the origin of a family name

Enter the surname you are looking for below:

Similar Last Names

Erian ii (Last name)

surnames > erian-ii

The origin of the last name "Erian" is not definitively known, but it is believed to possibly be of Persian or Armenian descent.

Eriani (Last name)

surnames > eriani

The last name Eriani does not have a specific or widely known origin. It is possible that it is a surname of Italian or Greek origin, but without more information it is difficult t...

Eric ache (Last name)

surnames > eric-ache

The last name "Eric Ache" appears to have roots in English and French. "Eric" is of Old Norse origin, derived from the name Eiríkr, which means "eternal ruler." "Ache" is a French...

Eric ayeh bonstrah (Last name)

surnames > eric-ayeh-bonstrah

The last name "Ayeh Bonstrah" is of African origin. The name "Ayeh" is a Ghanaian name typically belonging to the Akan ethnic group, while "Bonstrah" may also have Akan origins.

Eric shakuru (Last name)

surnames > eric-shakuru

The last name "Shakuru" does not have a known origin or meaning in English.

Ericssons (Last name)

surnames > ericssons

The last name Ericssons is of Swedish origin, and it is derived from the personal name Erik, which means "eternal ruler" in Old Norse. The suffix "-son" indicates "son of Erik," ma...

Eriga (Last name)

surnames > eriga

The last name "Eriga" has its origin in Italy. It is derived from the word "Erica," which means heather or small shrub in Italian. It is believed to have originated as a locational...

Erigano (Last name)

surnames > erigano

The last name "Erigano" is of Italian origin. It is derived from the word "erba" meaning grass or herb. This surname likely originated as a nickname for someone who worked with or ...

Eriguel (Last name)

surnames > eriguel

The last name "Eriguel" is of Spanish origin and is derived from the Spanish word "erguilla," meaning a small piece of land. This surname likely originated as a topographic or loca...

Erikan (Last name)

surnames > erikan

The last name Erikan does not have a widely-known origin or meaning. It is possible that it could be of Turkish or Kurdish origin, as "Erikan" is a name that is used in those cultu...

Erikandath (Last name)

surnames > erikandath

The last name Erikandath is of Indian origin, specifically from the state of Kerala. It is most likely derived from a combination of the given name "Erik" and the word "andath" whi...

Erikkal surendran (Last name)

surnames > erikkal-surendran

The last name Erikkal Surendran likely originates from India. The first part "Erikkal" could be a variation of the word "Erikka," which is a common surname in Kerala, a state in so...

Erikkalikkal (Last name)

surnames > erikkalikkal

The last name "Erikkalikkal" is of Indian origin, specifically from the Malayalam-speaking state of Kerala. It is a combination of the given name "Erikka" and the word "likkal," wh...

Erikulam (Last name)

surnames > erikulam

The last name "Erikulam" is of Finnish origin, derived from the personal name "Erik" and the suffix "-ulam", which could indicate a place or location.

Erimah (Last name)

surnames > erimah

The last name "Erimah" is of African origin, specifically from the Igbo tribe in Nigeria. It is a surname that is commonly found in the southeastern region of the country.