Surname Magnuson - Meaning and Origin

Unveiling the Historical Saga of Magnuson Through iGENEA DNA Test: A Journey Towards Self Discovery

The iGENEA DNA test has bestowed a significant personal impact, shedding light on the rich Norse Viking background behind my surname 'Magnuson'. It not only instilled a sense of pride but also led to self-discovery and cross-cultural understanding.

P. Magnuson

Magnuson: What does the surname Magnuson mean?

The last name Magnuson is an occupational surname of Scandinavian origin. It derives from the Old Norse personal name Magnús orMagni, and means "great, mighty". This surname is suggesting that the bearer was involved in an occupation related to strength or power.

In Sweden, a common spelling variant has been Magnusson, but this ended with the introduction of the so-called ‘surname law’ in 1901. Magnuson became the common and mandatory spelling instead. Many Swedish families, however, use a double suffix to differentiate between branches: e.g. Magnusson/Magnusson Sr.

In America, Magnuson has long been connected to farming and many families could trace their roots back to the original Swedish settlers in 19th century Minnesota. The farming heritage continues even today. Magnuson is a popular surname in the Midwest and especially the Upper Peninsula of Michigan, where many Swedish place names can still be found.

Beside farming, Magnuson is also connected to fishing, forestry and mining. This reflects the occupations of many Swedish-Americans of the early 20th century. These industries have heavily shaped the current landscape of the Midwest, and its people.

The name Magnuson, therefore, speaks to a family’s deep historical roots in Sweden and America, and a readiness to take on any challenge that may come their way.

Magnuson: Where does the name Magnuson come from?

In the 19th century, the Magnuson name was proliferated primarily in Sweden and Norway. Today, however, people with the Magnuson surname are spread across the globe, with large populations in the United States, Canada, and Australia.

In the US, the name Magnuson is most commonly found in the Great Lakes region of the Midwest; Wisconsin, Minnesota, and Michigan are the states with the highest population of Magnusons. Other areas with highest concentrations include Washington State, Oregon, Montana, and northern California.

In Canada, Alberta and Saskatchewan both have a notable population of Magnusons, and in Australia, Queensland and Victoria are the top states. It's estimated that nearly 5,000 Magnusons live Down Under.

The name is also found in other countries in Europe, South America, and Northern Africa. Many Magnusons have ventured overseas, too,, settling in far-flung countries such as Singapore, Vietnam, and Malaysia.

In recent years, Magnuson has become even more popular as a surname as more people with Finnish ancestry choose it as their family name.

Variations of the surname Magnuson

The surname Magnuson is a patronymic surname of Swedish, Norwegian, and Danish origin, derived from Magni and meaning son of Magnus. Common variants include Magnusson, Magnusen, and Magnuss.

Magnusson is the most common variant of Magnuson. It is found mostly in Norway and Sweden, and is often spelled Magnusson. In some cases, Magnusson appears as an anglicized form of the Scandinavian name Magnuson and is also used in Finland.

The variant Magnusen is found in Denmark, Norway, and Sweden. Magnusen is also used as an anglicized form of Magnuson and is the most common variant in Denmark.

The variant Magnuss is a less common spelling of the Magnuson surname. It is most common in Scandinavia and can also be spelled Magnusson.

The original surname of Magnuson is also used in some cases. In addition, many early Norwegian immigrants kept the original spelling and surname Magnuson.

Other spellings and variants of the surname Magnuson include Magnus, Magnuss, Magnussen, Magnuson, Magnoson, and Magneson. The surnames Magno, Magnon, and Magnen may be variations of the Magnuson surname.

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Famous people with the name Magnuson

• Rick Magnuson: former Major League Baseball pitcher and coach.
• Dave Magnuson: award-winning author of twelve books and television series writer.
• Chris Magnuson: American artist-illustrator and animator.
• Anna Magnuson: American actress known for roles in comedian Seth MacFarglane's films Ted and A Million Ways To Die in the West.
• Louise Magnuson: Swedish film producer, actor and director.
• Stephen Magnuson: former professional basketball player.
• Peter Magnuson: Swedish actor.
• Chase Maguson: Professional drifter and two-time champion of Formula Drift.
• Linn Magnuson: Swedish-American photographer and filmmaker.
• C.A. Magnuson: television and film actor.
• John Magnuson: pastor, professor and author.
• Dan Magnuson: professional motocross and Supercross racer.
• Mark Magnuson: voiceover artist.
• Bille Magnuson: musician and composer.
• Eric Magnuson: Minnesota Supreme Court Justice.

Other surnames

MagnusMagnuskiMagnussenMagnusson