Surname Carlson - Meaning and Origin

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P. Carlson

Carlson: What does the surname Carlson mean?

The last name Carlson is of Scandinavian origin, primarily from Sweden. It is a patronymic surname, meaning it is derived from the name of a father or a paternal ancestor. In this case, Carlson translates to "son of Carl." The name Carl itself is of Old German origin, derived from "churl," and it means "free man" or "man." So, Carlson could further be interpreted as "son of a free man." The suffix "-son" is typical in Scandinavian countries, used to denote family lines, similar to how other cultures use "Mc" or "O'" (Irish) or "-ez" (Spanish). The spelling of Carlson varies, with "Karlson" or "Carlsen" being other forms. The use of this surname became more consistent after the patronymic system was abandoned in Nordic countries, which occurred in Sweden in 1901. This is why many Scandinavian names end with "-son" or "-sen," reflecting the naming tradition of the time.

Carlson: Where does the name Carlson come from?

Carlson is a patronymic surname that originates from Scandinavia, specifically from Sweden. The name is a compound of "Carl," a popular Scandinavian first name, and "son," a typical suffix in Scandinavian surnames signifying "son of." Thus, Carlson translates to "son of Carl."

The name became popular as Scandinavians adopted the practice of heritable surnames. It was brought to English-speaking countries, including the United States, Canada, and Britain, through Scandinavian emigration.

Today, Carlson is still common in Sweden, where traditional naming practices have a strong influence. It is also prevalent in areas with significant Scandinavian heritage or immigrant populations. The United States, particularly in states like Minnesota and North Dakota which have high concentrations of Swedish descendants, has a significant number of people bearing this surname. Additionally, Carlson is not an uncommon surname in other English-speaking countries like Canada and the United Kingdom. However, it's important to note that the distribution of the name may vary due to factors like migration and intermarriage.

Variations of the surname Carlson

The surname Carlson primarily originates from Scandinavia and is derived from the personal name Carl with the addition of “son,” indicating “son of Carl.” Other variants of the surname Carlson include Carlsson, Carlsohn, and Carlssen, which all have the same origin.

The surname spelling can vary based on location and language. For instance, in many non-English speaking countries, it is commonly spelled as Karlson or Karlsson. Karlsohn and Karlssen are other variants. In the case of variant Carlzen, the 'z' sound is to emphasize the pronunciation of 's'.

For surnames with the same origin (derived from the personal name Carl), there are numerous variations. Some of these include Carlsen, Charlson, Carle, Carroll, Carlos, and Charleson. In some cases, the name can also be anglicized or Americanized to versions such as Charles, Charlton, or Carlton, though these names may have additional influences.

Remember, spelling can sometimes change over generations due to factors like immigration, simplified spellings, or translation errors, thus resulting in even more variety or unique spelling of the surname. Always consider these variations when exploring genealogical research or family histories.

Famous people with the name Carlson

• Tucker Carlson: An American television presenter and political commentator known for his nightly political talk show, Tucker Carlson Tonight.
• Richard Carlson: A prominent author known for writing "Don't Sweat the Small Stuff" book series.
• Lisa Carlson: Well-known American actress, starred in 'Days of Our Lives'.
• Kelly Carlson: An American actress and model known for her role in the TV show, "Nip/Tuck".
• Paul H. Carlson: A notable historian focusing on the history of Texas and the American West.
• Gretchen Carlson: A TV presenter and Miss America 1989, known for her work on the Fox News Channel.
• Joyce Carlson: An artist for Disney Studios, known for work on "It's a Small World" attractions.
• Alison Carlson: A philanthropist focusing on health, education and environmental causes.
• William S. Carlson: An American educator and diplomat, served as President of three universities, and as US Ambassador to the Seychelles.
• Alex Carlson: An accomplished ice hockey player.
• K. J. Carlson: A Swedish author known for his crime fiction.
• Lenny Carlson: American jazz guitarist, associated with artists like Charles Mingus and Lena Horne.

Other surnames

CarlsCarlsdotterCarlsenCarlsohnCarlssohnCarlsson