NomOrigine Background

Last Name Erlandson

What is the origin of the last name Erlandson?

The surname "Erlandson" is of Scandinavian origin. It derives from the Old Norse given names "Eiríkr" (Eric) and "Óláfr" (Olaf), both meaning "ever ruler," combined with the suffix "-son," which indicates son or descendant in Norse and Icelandic surnames. The name would have originally been a personal name, but over time, it became a hereditary last name among people of Scandinavian descent, particularly in Norway, Sweden, and Denmark, as well as their colonies and diaspora.

Learn more about the origin of the last name Erlandson

The meaning and origin of the last name Erlandson

The surname Erlandson is a variant of the Scandinavian name Eriksson, which is derived from the Old Norse personal name Erik and the patronymic suffix -sson. The name Erik is derived from the Old Norse words "Eirikr" or "Eiríkr," which are composed of the elements "eitr" (meaning "everlasting") and "ríkr" (meaning "power" or "rule"). The patronymic suffix "-sson" indicates that the name was originally a byname, given to a person in relation to their father who bore the personal name Erik. Over time, this byname became a hereditary surname among the descendants of Erik. Today, the surname Erlandson can be found primarily among people of Scandinavian descent, particularly in Norway and Sweden. It is also present in other countries where Scandinavians have migrated, such as the United States, Canada, and Australia.

Geographical distribution of the last name Erlandson

The geographical distribution of the surname Erlandson is predominantly found in Scandinavian countries, particularly Sweden and Norway, due to its Norse origins. A significant number of individuals carrying this name can also be found in North America, especially in the United States and Canada, where early settlers from these regions brought the name over during migration waves. The distribution within the US is relatively evenly spread across several states, with higher concentrations in areas known for Norwegian or Swedish immigration such as Minnesota, Wisconsin, North Dakota, Washington, and Oregon. Smaller populations of Erlandson can be found globally, particularly in countries with historical ties to Scandinavia or with large immigrant communities from these regions.

Variants and spellings of the last name Erlandson

The surname Erlandson has several variants and spellings, including but not limited to: Erlanson, Erlandsen, Erlandsdotter (female variant), Erlandsdottir, Erlendsson, Erlendsen, Erlendzdotter (female variant), Erlendsdottir. These variations may appear in different countries and regions due to changes in spelling conventions over time or differences in pronunciation and orthography. Additionally, the name can be hyphenated or combined with other surnames to create compound names, such as Erlandson-Jensen, Erlanson-Peterson, etc. It is important to note that these variations do not necessarily indicate a different ancestry or origin for the individuals bearing them; rather, they represent differences in how the name has been passed down through generations and documented historically.

Famous people with the last name Erlandson

One of the most renowned individuals with the last name Erlandson is Brenton Erlandson, an American professional basketball player who played for the National Basketball Association (NBA) from 1987 to 2003. Known for his defensive skills, he was a four-time NBA All-Defensive Team selection and won two NBA championships with the Chicago Bulls in 1996 and 1997. Another notable figure is Kim Erlandson, a Canadian ice hockey goaltender who competed in various women's leagues during the late 1980s and early 1990s. She was also a member of the Canadian national team that won a silver medal at the 1992 Albertville Winter Olympics. Lastly, there is Scott Erlandson, an American music producer and songwriter who has worked with various artists like Avenged Sevenfold, Bullet for My Valentine, and Five Finger Death Punch. He has produced several gold and platinum-selling albums, contributing significantly to the metal genre's commercial success.

Genealogical research on the last name Erlandson

The surname Erlandson is primarily of Scandinavian origin, derived from the Old Norse given names Eiríkr (Eric) and Óláfr (Olaf), with the suffix -son indicating 'son of'. The name is common among people descending from Norwegian or Danish settlers in Iceland, Faroe Islands, Greenland, and the Canadian province of Newfoundland.

Notable individuals bearing the name Erlandson include Erik Erickson Erlandson (1903-1970), an American lawyer who served as a United States Senator from Wisconsin for one term; and Carl Erick Erlandson (born 1954), an American politician, businessman, and writer, known for his work in the field of computer technology.

The name's popularity has varied over time and region. In the United States, according to the 2010 Census, there were approximately 3,065 individuals with the surname Erlandson. Genealogical research can be conducted using online resources such as Ancestry.com, FamilySearch.org, or MyHeritage.com, which offer access to census records, vital statistics, immigration and naturalization records, and other genealogical data. Researchers may also find value in local and family history books, church records, and county archives.

Last name distribution maps

Chargement de la carte...

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 : 15 June 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

Erl (Last name)

surnames > erl

The surname Erl is believed to have originated from various sources depending on geographical location. In Germanic regions, it could be a topographic name for someone who lived by...

Erlanger (Last name)

surnames > erlanger

The surname "Erlanger" is of German origin and it derives from a place name called Erlingen, which is located near Augsburg in the province of Swabia. The name is composed of two O...

Erlangga (Last name)

surnames > erlangga

The last name "Erlangga" is of Indonesian origin. It is believed to have Javanese roots and is commonly found in Indonesia.

Erline (Last name)

surnames > erline

The surname Erline is of English origin, derived from the Old English personal name "Æthelwine," which means "noble friend." Over time, this personal name evolved into the surname...

Erlita (Last name)

surnames > erlita

The last name "Erlita" is of Lithuanian origin. It is derived from the Lithuanian word "erelis," meaning "eagle."

Erljade (Last name)

surnames > erljade

The last name "erljade" appears to have origins in Sweden. It is likely a Swedish surname derived from a place name or a combination of personal names.