NomOrigine Background

Last Name Larson

What is the origin of the last name Larson?

The surname Larson is of Scandinavian origin. It is derived from the Swedish and Norwegian personal name Lars, which is a form of Lawrence. The name Larson means "son of Lars" or "son of Lawrence" in Swedish and Norwegian.

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

Learn more about the origin of the last name Larson

The meaning and origin of the last name Larson

Larson is a surname with Scandinavian origins, commonly found in Norway and Sweden. The name Larson is derived from the patronymic form of the given name Lars, meaning "son of Lars." Lars is a Danish or Norwegian variant of the name Lawrence, which originated from the ancient Roman name Laurentius, meaning "from Laurentum." Laurentum was an ancient Roman city located in present-day Italy. The surname Larson likely originated as a way to identify individuals as the son of Lars, who was a common given name in Scandinavia. As patronymic names were commonly used in Scandinavia during the Middle Ages, Larson became a hereditary surname passed down from one generation to the next. Over time, as families spread and migrated, the Larson surname made its way to various parts of the world, particularly to countries with large Scandinavian immigrant populations, such as the United States, where it is still commonly found today.

Geographical distribution of the last name Larson

The last name Larson is primarily found in Scandinavia, specifically in Sweden and Norway. In these countries, Larson (or Larsen) is a very common surname, often ranking as one of the most prevalent. It originated from the given name Lars, which was derived from the Old Norse name "Laurentius" meaning "man from Laurentum". Over time, the name Larson spread beyond its Nordic origins to other parts of the world through migration and immigration. In the United States, Larson is commonly found, particularly in states with a significant Scandinavian heritage like Minnesota, Wisconsin, and North Dakota. It has also become somewhat popular in Canada, Australia, and the United Kingdom, due to waves of Scandinavian immigration. The geographical distribution of the last name Larson reflects the historical and cultural connections between Scandinavia and these other countries, demonstrating the migration patterns and diaspora of Scandinavian populations.

Variants and spellings of the last name Larson

The last name Larson has multiple variations and spellings in different regions and historical periods. Some common variations include Larsen, Laudson, Laursen, Lawsen, Larrson, and Lerson. These variations often emerged due to phonetic adaptations or transcription errors. The name's origins can be traced back to Scandinavian countries such as Sweden, Denmark, and Norway, where it was initially spelled "Larsson" meaning "son of Lars." As people migrated to other countries, like the United States, Canada, or Australia, further changes in spelling occurred due to language differences or anglicization processes. For instance, Larson became a popular spelling in English-speaking countries. Moreover, regional dialects and accents might have resulted in slight variations in pronunciation within the same spelling. As a result, individuals with the last name Larson may encounter a range of alternative spellings depending on their family history, geographical location, and the influence of different languages and cultures over time.

Famous people with the last name Larson

There have been several notable individuals with the last name Larson who have left a lasting impact in their respective fields. One such figure is Gary Larson, an iconic cartoonist best known for his comic strip "The Far Side." Larson's offbeat humor and unique illustrations earned him a massive following, with his work often exploring unconventional concepts and the absurdities of everyday life. Another prominent personality is Brie Larson, the Academy Award-winning actress widely recognized for her portrayal of Captain Marvel in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Larson's captivating performances have earned her critical acclaim, establishing her as one of Hollywood's leading talents. Moreover, Peggy Larson stands out as a trailblazing scientist and entrepreneur known for her significant contributions to the field of molecular biology and genetics. With her groundbreaking research and entrepreneurial spirit, Peggy Larson has made remarkable advancements in the field, cementing her status as a highly influential figure.

Genealogical research on the last name Larson

The Larson surname is of Scandinavian origin and can be traced back to the 18th century in Sweden. The name Larson is derived from the personal name Lars, which is a form of Lawrence in English. Lars was a popular given name among the Scandinavian people during that time. The Larson family has a strong presence in Sweden, particularly in the region of Småland. Many Larson individuals immigrated to the United States in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, seeking better opportunities and a new life. They settled in various states, including Minnesota, Illinois, and Wisconsin. Over the years, the Larson family expanded across the country, with descendants establishing themselves in different professions and contributing to the growth and development of their communities. Today, the Larson surname is quite common globally, reflecting the enduring legacy and widespread dispersion of the Larson family.

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

Lar (Last name)

surnames > lar

The last name "Lar" is of Scandinavian origin, derived from the Old Norse word "hlarr" which means "hill" or "mound". It is a toponymic surname, indicating that the original bearer...

Lar zama zargey (Last name)

surnames > lar-zama-zargey

The last name "Lar Zama Zargey" is of Kurdish origin. "Lar" means "valley" in Kurdish, while "Zama" means "son of" and "Zargey" is a common Kurdish surname.

Lara hati (Last name)

surnames > lara-hati

The surname "Lara Hati" is believed to have origins in Indonesia, particularly among the Javanese people. "Lara" means "sorrow" or "pain" in Indonesian, while "Hati" means "heart" ...

Laradi (Last name)

surnames > laradi

The origin of the last name Laradi is not clear, as it is a relatively rare surname. It is possible that it has roots in Arabic or Italian, as it is a common surname in some Arabic...

Laraine (Last name)

surnames > laraine

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

Laraki (Last name)

surnames > laraki

The last name "Laraki" is of Arabic origin, derived from the personal name "Laraki", which means "from Larache". Larache is a city in northern Morocco, and the surname is commonly ...

Laranja (Last name)

surnames > laranja

The surname "Laranja" is of Portuguese origin. It means "orange" in Portuguese and can refer to a person who cultivated oranges, lived near an orchard of orange trees or had red ha...

Larans (Last name)

surnames > larans

The last name "Larans" is of French origin. It is derived from the Old French personal name "Laurent" which itself comes from the Latin name "Laurentius," meaning "man from Laurent...

Laras new (Last name)

surnames > laras-new

The last name "Laras New" does not appear to have a commonly known origin or meaning. It is possible that it is a combination of two separate surnames or may have been recently cre...

Larasan (Last name)

surnames > larasan

The surname "Larasan" is of Norwegian origin. It is derived from the Old Norse personal name "Lári" and the suffix "-son" meaning "son of Lári".

Larawan (Last name)

surnames > larawan

The surname "Larawan" is of Filipino origin. It is derived from the Tagalog word "larawan," meaning "image" or "portrait." This surname likely originated as a descriptive name for ...

Larba (Last name)

surnames > larba

The last name "Larba" is of French origin. It is a habitational name derived from the place name Larbaudière, a village in France. It is possible that the surname originated from ...

Larce (Last name)

surnames > larce

The surname "Larce" is of French origin. It is derived from the Old French word "l'Arce," which means "shelter" or "refuge." This surname likely originated as a descriptive name fo...

Lardbabu (Last name)

surnames > lardbabu

The origin of the last name "Lardbabu" appears to be Indian. It may be derived from a Hindu or Sikh name, possibly associated with a specific region or community in India.

Lardona (Last name)

surnames > lardona

The last name "Lardona" is of Spanish origin. It is derived from the word "lardón," which means "lard" in Spanish. It is possible that this surname was originally used to describe...