Icelandic last names are a true preservation of Viking-age tradition, operating on a patronymic (and sometimes matronymic) system that is almost unique in the Western world. Unlike most countries, Iceland does not use family names that pass down from generation to generation. Instead, a person’s “last name” is derived from their father’s (or mother’s) first name with a suffix added: -son for a boy and -dóttir for a girl. Because of this, members of the same nuclear family often have different last names.
In 2026, as Iceland remains a global leader in sustainability and folklore-driven tourism, understanding these 193+ Icelandic names provides a glimpse into a culture that values individual lineage over collective “clans.”
The Saga Registry: A to Z
A to K – The Sons and Daughters of the North
- Abelsdóttir – Daughter of Abel (Breath).
- Abelsson – Son of Abel.
- Adalsteinsdóttir – Daughter of Adalstein (Noble stone).
- Adalsteinsson – Son of Adalstein.
- Agustsdóttir – Daughter of Agust (Venerable).
- Agustsson – Son of Agust.
- Alexanderdóttir – Daughter of Alexander (Defender of men).
- Alexandersson – Son of Alexander.
- Alfonsdóttir – Daughter of Alfons (Noble and ready).
- Alfonsson – Son of Alfons.
- Andrésdóttir – Daughter of Andrés (Manly/Brave).
- Andrésson – Son of Andrés.
- Annarsdóttir – Daughter of Annar (Second).
- Annarsson – Son of Annar.
- Aridóttir – Daughter of Ari (Eagle).
- Arisson – Son of Ari.
- Arnadóttir – Daughter of Arni (Eagle power).
- Arnason – Son of Arni.
- Arnbjörnsdóttir – Daughter of Arnbjörn (Eagle bear).
- Arnbjörnsson – Son of Arnbjörn.
- Arndisardóttir – Daughter of Arndís (Eagle goddess).
- Arndisarson – Son of Arndís.
- Arngrimsdóttir – Daughter of Arngrimur (Eagle mask).
- Arngrimsson – Son of Arngrimur.
- Aronsdóttir – Daughter of Aron (Exalted).
- Aronsson – Son of Aron.
- Asgeirsdóttir – Daughter of Asgeir (God’s spear).
- Asgeirsson – Son of Asgeir.
- Aslaugardóttir – Daughter of Aslaug (God-dedicated).
- Aslaugsson – Son of Aslaug.
- Asmundsdóttir – Daughter of Asmundur (Divine protection).
- Asmundsson – Son of Asmundur.
- Baldursdóttir – Daughter of Baldur (Prince/Lord).
- Baldursson – Son of Baldur.
- Benediktsdóttir – Daughter of Benedikt (Blessed).
- Benediktsson – Son of Benedikt.
- Bergsdóttir – Daughter of Bergur (Mountain/Protection).
- Bergsson – Son of Bergur.
- Birgisdóttir – Daughter of Birgir (Helper).
- Birgisson – Son of Birgir.
- Bjarnadóttir – Daughter of Bjarni (Bear).
- Bjarnason – Son of Bjarni.
- Björgvinsdóttir – Daughter of Björgvin (Friend of the city).
- Björgvinsson – Son of Björgvin.
- Björnsdóttir – Daughter of Björn (Bear).
- Björnsson – Son of Björn.
- Böðvarsdóttir – Daughter of Böðvar (War messenger).
- Böðvarsson – Son of Böðvar.
- Davidsdóttir – Daughter of David (Beloved).
- Davidsson – Son of David.
- Eggertsdóttir – Daughter of Eggert (Edge of a sword).
- Eggertsson – Son of Eggert.
- Egilsdóttir – Daughter of Egill (Edge/Fear).
- Egilsson – Son of Egill.
- Einarsdóttir – Daughter of Einar (One warrior).
- Einarsson – Son of Einar.
- Eiriksdóttir – Daughter of Eirik (Eternal ruler).
- Eiriksson – Son of Eirik.
- Elíasdóttir – Daughter of Elías (The Lord is my God).
- Elíasson – Son of Elías.
- Eyfjörd – Meaning “Island fjord” (One of the rare stable family names).
- Eyjólfsdóttir – Daughter of Eyjólfur (Lucky wolf).
- Eyjólfsson – Son of Eyjólfur.
- Finnbogadóttir – Daughter of Finnbogi (Finn’s bow).
- Finnbogason – Son of Finnbogi.
- Finnsdóttir – Daughter of Finnur (Person from Finland/Finder).
- Finnsson – Son of Finnur.
- Fridriksdóttir – Daughter of Fridrik (Peaceful ruler).
- Fridriksson – Son of Fridrik.
- Garðarsdóttir – Daughter of Garðar (Enclosure/Protection).
- Garðarsson – Son of Garðar.
- Geirsdóttir – Daughter of Geir (Spear).
- Geirsson – Son of Geir.
- Gisladóttir – Daughter of Gísli (Pledge/Ray of light).
- Gislason – Son of Gísli.
- Gunnarsdóttir – Daughter of Gunnar (Army warrior).
- Gunnarsson – Son of Gunnar.
- Gunnlaugsdóttir – Daughter of Gunnlaugur (War bath).
- Gunnlaugsson – Son of Gunnlaugur.
- Gudmundsdóttir – Daughter of Gudmundur (God’s protection).
- Gudmundsson – Son of Gudmundur.
- Gudnadóttir – Daughter of Gudni (God’s gift).
- Gudnason – Son of Gudni.
- Halldórsdóttir – Daughter of Halldór (Thor’s rock).
- Halldórsson – Son of Halldór.
- Hallgrimsdóttir – Daughter of Hallgrimur (Rock mask).
- Hallgrimsson – Son of Hallgrimur.
- Hannibalsson – Son of Hannibal (Grace of Baal).
- Haraldsdóttir – Daughter of Haraldur (Army ruler).
- Haraldsson – Son of Haraldur.
- Hauksdóttir – Daughter of Haukur (Hawk).
- Hauksson – Son of Haukur.
- Helgadóttir – Daughter of Helgi (Holy/Blessed).
- Helgason – Son of Helgi.
- Hermannsdóttir – Daughter of Hermann (Soldier).
- Hermannsson – Son of Hermann.
- Hilmarsdóttir – Daughter of Hilmar (Famous helmet).
- Hilmarsson – Son of Hilmar.
- Hjaltadóttir – Daughter of Hjalti (Hilt of a sword).
- Hjaltason – Son of Hjalti.
L to Z – The Lineage of the Isles
- Ingólfsdóttir – Daughter of Ingólfur (Ing’s wolf).
- Ingólfsson – Son of Ingólfur.
- Islenskur – Meaning “Icelandic” (Used for those without a known father).
- Ivardsdóttir – Daughter of Ivard (Yew warrior).
- Ivardsson – Son of Ivard.
- Jakobsdóttir – Daughter of Jakob (Supplanter).
- Jakobsson – Son of Jakob.
- Johannsdóttir – Daughter of Jóhann (God is gracious).
- Johannsson – Son of Jóhann.
- Jónsdóttir – Daughter of Jón (John).
- Jónsson – Son of Jón (The most common name in Iceland).
- Karlsdóttir – Daughter of Karl (Free man).
- Karlsson – Son of Karl.
- Kjartansdóttir – Daughter of Kjartan (Sea warrior).
- Kjartansson – Son of Kjartan.
- Kristinsdóttir – Daughter of Kristinn (Christian).
- Kristinsson – Son of Kristinn.
- Larusdóttir – Daughter of Larus (Laurel).
- Larusson – Son of Larus.
- Leifsdóttir – Daughter of Leif (Descendant/Heir).
- Leifsson – Son of Leif.
- Logadóttir – Daughter of Logi (Flame).
- Logason – Son of Logi.
- Magnúsdóttir – Daughter of Magnús (Great).
- Magnússon – Son of Magnús.
- Matthiasdóttir – Daughter of Matthias (Gift of God).
- Matthiasson – Son of Matthias.
- Nordahl – Meaning “North valley” (A rare stable family name).
- Oddsdóttir – Daughter of Oddur (Point of a spear).
- Oddsson – Son of Oddur.
- Olafsdóttir – Daughter of Olafur (Ancestor’s relic).
- Olafsson – Son of Olafur.
- Orradóttir – Daughter of Orri (Black grouse bird).
- Orrason – Son of Orri.
- Oskarsdóttir – Daughter of Oskar (God’s spear).
- Oskarsson – Son of Oskar.
- Pallsdóttir – Daughter of Pall (Small/Humble).
- Pallsson – Son of Pall.
- Petursdóttir – Daughter of Petur (Rock).
- Petursson – Son of Petur.
- Ragnarsdóttir – Daughter of Ragnar (Warrior of the gods).
- Ragnarsson – Son of Ragnar.
- Reynirsdóttir – Daughter of Reynir (Rowan tree).
- Reynirsson – Son of Reynir.
- Robertsson – Son of Robert.
- Samuelsson – Son of Samuel.
- Sigurdardóttir – Daughter of Sigurdur (Victory guardian).
- Sigurdsson – Son of Sigurdur.
- Skarphéðinsdóttir – Daughter of Skarphéðinn (Sharp/Sheath).
- Skarphéðinsson – Son of Skarphéðinn.
- Snorradóttir – Daughter of Snorri (To attack/rush).
- Snorrason – Son of Snorri.
- Stefansdóttir – Daughter of Stefan (Crown).
- Stefansson – Son of Stefan.
- Steinarsdóttir – Daughter of Steinar (Stone warrior).
- Steinarsson – Son of Steinar.
- Sveinsdóttir – Daughter of Sveinn (Boy/Servant).
- Sveinsson – Son of Sveinn.
- Sverrisdóttir – Daughter of Sverrir (Wild/Restless).
- Sverrisson – Son of Sverrir.
- Teitsdóttir – Daughter of Teitur (Cheerful).
- Teitsson – Son of Teitur.
- Thomasdóttir – Daughter of Thomas (Twin).
- Thomasson – Son of Thomas.
- Thordardóttir – Daughter of Thordur (Thor’s wealth).
- Thordarson – Son of Thordur.
- Thorkelsdóttir – Daughter of Thorkell (Thor’s cauldron).
- Thorkelsson – Son of Thorkell.
- Thorlacius – A rare, Latinized stable family name.
- Thorsteinsson – Son of Thorstein (Thor’s stone).
- Thorvaldsdóttir – Daughter of Thorvaldur (Thor’s ruler).
- Thorvaldsson – Son of Thorvaldur.
- Tryggvadóttir – Daughter of Tryggvi (Trustworthy).
- Tryggvason – Son of Tryggvi.
- Ulfarsdóttir – Daughter of Ulfar (Wolf warrior).
- Ulfarsson – Son of Ulfar.
- Valdimarsdóttir – Daughter of Valdimar (Famous ruler).
- Valdimarsson – Son of Valdimar.
- Valtýsdóttir – Daughter of Valtýr (Power warrior).
- Valtýsson – Son of Valtýr.
- Vesteinsdóttir – Daughter of Vesteinn (Holy stone).
- Vesteinsson – Son of Vesteinn.
- Vidarsdóttir – Daughter of Vidar (Forest warrior).
- Vidarsson – Son of Vidar.
- Vignisdóttir – Daughter of Vignir (Holy/Battle).
- Vignisson – Son of Vignir.
- Vikarsdóttir – Daughter of Vikar (Bay warrior).
- Vikarsson – Son of Vikar.
- Vilhelmsdóttir – Daughter of Vilhelm (Resolute protector).
- Vilhelmsson – Son of Vilhelm.
- Viljálmsdóttir – Daughter of Vilhjálmur (Icelandic for William).
- Vilhjálmsson – Son of Vilhjálmur.
- Yngvadóttir – Daughter of Yngvi (Lord).
- Yngvason – Son of Yngvi.
The Mechanics of Icelandic Surnames
To understand an Icelandic name, you must understand the naming law administered by the Icelandic Naming Committee.
1. No Last Names, Only Patronymics
In Iceland, if Jón Einarsson has a son named Pétur, the boy’s name will be Pétur Jónsson. If he has a daughter named Sigrídur, her name will be Sigrídur Jónsdóttir. The name “Einarsson” does not carry over to the children.
2. Matronymics on the Rise
While patronymics (father’s name) are traditional, it is increasingly common for children to use their mother’s name (matronymic). If a child’s mother is named Helga, the son might be Helguson and the daughter Helgudóttir.
3. Addressing People
Because the last name is just a description of “whose child” you are, Icelanders address everyone by their first name. You would call the President of Iceland by their first name, and phone books in Iceland are traditionally alphabetized by first name, not last.
FAQ: Frequently Asked Questions about Icelandic Surnames
Are there any “real” family names in Iceland?
A small percentage of the population carries inherited family names (like Eyfjörd or Nordahl). These were often adopted by Icelanders who lived abroad or came from prominent merchant families, but a 1925 law largely banned the creation of new family names to protect Icelandic tradition.
What happens when Icelanders marry?
Icelandic women do not change their names upon marriage. A woman remains the “daughter of her father” regardless of her marital status, which is why Iceland is often cited as a pioneer in gender-equal naming conventions.
Is “Gudnadóttir” a common name?
Yes, derived from the popular name Gudni. It became internationally famous via composer Hildur Guðnadóttir. In Iceland, common first names lead to thousands of people sharing the same “surname,” which is why middle names or occupations are often used to distinguish people.
Summary
From the clerk recording history to the commander leading a charge, Icelandic surnames capture a broad spectrum of human roles. They are names of clarity and courage, providing a solid foundation for any genealogical search or storytelling endeavor. In 2026, these names continue to bridge the gap between ancient traditions and modern identity.
