Are You Descended from Vikings? Check This List to Find Out
Ever wondered if you’ve got Viking blood coursing through your veins? If your last name is on this list, you just might be.
The fearless warriors who stormed across the British Isles didn’t just leave behind tales of conquest — they left their mark on the very names carried today in Great Britain. From the end of the 8th century, these Norse invaders settled in the region, and their names became intertwined with the local culture. What started as the first names, place names, and nicknames of these Scandinavian conquerors evolved into some of the most recognizable British surnames today.
The Battle of Hastings, which began the Norman Conquest of England, as portrayed by Philip James de Loutherbourg, engraved by W. Bromley
Surnames emerged in this region after the Norman Conquest in 1066, when communities were expanding and people needed a way to stand out. These names were often inspired by jobs (think Baker for bakers), physical traits (Whitehead), or places of origin (Wood or Bush for people near the woods). But for those lucky enough to have Viking ancestry, their names carry a bit more mystery that originated from the Old Norse, the Vikings’ language. The Viking invasions shaped a lot more than land: they shaped the way families would be known for generations to come.
Today, Viking-origin surnames have endured centuries of adaptation, often with tweaks in spelling and pronunciation to blend into the English language. If you’re curious whether your name has these powerful Viking roots, the genealogy experts at MyHeritage have put together a list of surnames linked to this fierce Norse heritage.
Collings
Collings is an Old English surname coming from the Norse name “Kollungr,” which in Old English became “Cola,” meaning one of swarthy or dark appearance.
Grime
This name originally derives from the Norse personal name meaning “The Fierce One.” The plural form with an “s” ending is most popular today.
Gunn
In some cases this surname is derived from the Old Norse masculine personal name “Gunnr.” In other cases it may be derived from the Old Norse feminine personal name “Gunnhildr.”
Hacon
This surname derives from either the Old Norse personal name “Hakun,” meaning “high race, one of noble birth”, or the Old Norse personal name “Hakon,” originally a nickname meaning handy or useful.
Hobson
Originating in Denmark, the surname found its way to England during the Viking (793–1066) eras, evolving from Son of Hrod (Hróður) to Hobson. In England, the name reaches its highest concentrations in Yorkshire, Lincolnshire and Cambridgeshire.
Knott
One origin of this English-language surname is derived from the Old Norse personal name Knutr.
Osborne
That modern surname derives from the Norse personal name “Asbiorn,” composed of the elements ‘As’ meaning ‘god’ and ‘Bjorn,’ meaning bear.
Rolf
It is one of the oldest of all Nordic-Viking names and comes from the Old Norse Hrólfr, meaning “renown.”
Thurgood
It derives from the personal Old Norse name Thorgautr, composed of the name of the Norse god of thunder Thor and the name “Gautr.”
Tovey
This last name derives from the Old Norse male given name “Tofi” and Old Danish “Tovi,” a short form of the name Thorrvaldr.
Tubb
The name might derive from the Old Norse Tubbi, possibly a pet form of the name Thorbjorn.
Wondering about the stories behind your surname? Search the historical records on MyHeritage now to discover new details about your ancestors.
