Last Name Iverson

Learn more about the origin of the last name Iverson

The meaning and origin of the last name Iverson

The surname Iverson is of Old Norse origin, derived from the given name "Ivarr" or "Ingvarr", which were ancient Scandinavian names. "Ivarr" is composed of two elements: "iorr" meaning arrow and "varr" meaning spear or warrior, signifying one who used arrows as weapons. The name may have been brought to England by Viking invaders in the late 9th and early 10th centuries. Over time, the name evolved into various spellings including Iverson, Ivison, and Yvorson, reflecting differences in pronunciation and local dialects. The name is primarily found among people of Scottish and English descent but has also been carried to North America by immigrants from these regions.

Geographical distribution of the last name Iverson

The surname Iverson is predominantly found in North America, particularly in the United States and Canada. In the U.S., the highest concentrations are in states such as Pennsylvania, New York, and California, with Pennsylvania having the largest number of individuals bearing this last name. This could be attributed to the early Scottish and Irish settlers who arrived in these areas. In Canada, provinces like Ontario, Alberta, and British Columbia have significant populations with the surname Iverson. The name is also found in other parts of the world, including Europe, Africa, and Asia, albeit less frequently, due to historical migration patterns and the spread of Scottish and Irish descendants.

Variants and spellings of the last name Iverson

The surname Iverson has multiple variations and spellings. Some of these include Iverson, Iveson, Iwerson, Everson, and Evenston. Each variant may originate from different regions or time periods, reflecting the diverse ancestry and historical contexts of the family name. In Scotland, where the name is most commonly believed to have originated, it can be spelled as Iverson, Iverson, or Iwersoun. In England, it can also be found as Iveson or Everson. The variations may also result from changes in the way names were transcribed over time, due to different pronunciation styles, spelling conventions, or transcription errors. Regardless of the specific spelling, each variation of the surname Iverson shares a common heritage and history.

Famous people with the last name Iverson

Allan Iverson, born in 1975, is arguably the most recognized individual with the surname Iverson. An American retired professional basketball player, he played 14 seasons in the National Basketball Association (NBA) for teams including the Philadelphia 76ers, Denver Nuggets, Detroit Pistons, and Memphis Grizzlies. Nicknamed "The Answer," he was selected first overall by the 76ers in the 1996 NBA Draft. Iverson led the league in scoring average during four consecutive seasons from 2001 to 2005. In 2006, he won an NBA championship with the Miami Heat as a role player off the bench. He was inducted into the Basketball Hall of Fame in 2016. Another notable figure with the surname Iverson is Tina Iverson, a Canadian professional tennis player who reached her career-high singles ranking of world No. 98 in 1995. Although less known, she was one of the top-ranked Canadian female players during her career.

Genealogical research on the last name Iverson

The surname Iverson is believed to have originated from Scotland and Norway. In Scotland, it is derived from various places such as Iverness-shire, Iver, and Inver, which mean "the mouth of the river". In Norway, it stems from the name Ivarr, meaning Yew tree protector or Yew bearer. The earliest recorded spelling of the surname appears in Scotland around the 13th century. Notable individuals with this last name include James Iverson, a Canadian politician, and Laila Iverson, an American singer-songwriter. The Iversons were primarily concentrated in Scotland, Norway, and later migrated to North America, particularly to Canada and the United States during the 19th century due to religious or economic factors.

Last name distribution maps

Sources & References

• INSEE statistics on the surname "Iverson"
• 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 : 14 June 2025