The Story Behind “-dóttir” and “-son” Surnames
If you’ve ever met an Icelander, you might’ve noticed something funny, everyone seems to have a last name ending in ‑son or ‑dóttir. Maybe you’ve even wondered, “Wait… are they all related?” It is a small island, after all!
But here’s the twist: Icelanders don’t use family surnames like most of the world. Instead, they’ve got a unique system rooted in Viking tradition, independence, and identity. A man’s last name ends in ‑son (son of), and a woman’s ends in ‑dóttir (daughter of). It’s not about marriage or family lines — it’s all about who raised you.
Let’s take a drive through Iceland’s one-of-a-kind naming system, from the time of Viking settlers to modern-day road signs.
What Do “dóttir” and ‘son’ Mean in Icelandic?
Let’s start simple. In Icelandic, “dóttir” means daughter, and “son” means son. No hidden meaning — just a direct way of showing who your parent is.
If your dad’s name is Jón, and you’re a boy? You’re Jónsson.
A girl? Jónsdóttir.
Yep — even siblings can have different last names depending on their gender.
Some folks now use matronymic names too, based on their mother’s name. And for non-binary individuals, Iceland introduced the gender-neutral suffix ‑bur, which means “child.” So instead of Jónsson or Jónsdóttir, you could be Jónsbur.
The History: From Vikings to the Naming Committee
This all goes way back ,seriously far back, to the settlement of Iceland in the late 9th century. Norse explorers left places like Norway and the Faroe Islands to look for new land. One of the first to arrive was Flóki Vilgerðarson, who brought animals with him. Unfortunately, he wasn’t prepared for the brutal winter. His livestock starved to death, and when he climbed a mountain and saw icy fjords below, he named the place Ísland , Iceland.
Later came Erik the Red, another well-known explorer, who followed the same naming tradition. His name? Erik Thorvaldsson — meaning “son of Thorvald.” This system was deeply personal and rooted in individual identity, not family legacy.
And guess what? While most of Europe switched to fixed surnames around the 12th century, Iceland never did.
So how did this Viking-era system survive? Simple, it fits who we are.
Why Iceland Uses This Unique System
Icelanders value personal identity, equality, and tradition, and that’s exactly what this naming style reflects. It’s part of why the system stuck around.
Even today, we’ve got a Naming Committee that checks and approves new names to make sure they follow Icelandic grammar and culture. So you won’t find names like “Stormy” or “Apple” here, but Jónsbur? Absolutely.
Modern Icelandic Name Life: Some Fun Facts
In Iceland, we keep it casual. You don’t call people “Mr. Jónsson” or “Mrs. Guðmundsdóttir” — not even the president! We’re on a first-name basis with everyone, from baristas to politicians to pop stars like Björk Guðmundsdóttir.
Even the phone book is arranged by first name — not last. That’s just how it works here.
Thinking of giving your baby a cool, foreign name? Not so fast. There’s an official list of approved names — and if your idea isn’t on it, you’ll need approval from the Naming Committee. It might sound strict, but it’s all about keeping Icelandic language and heritage alive.
Are They All Related? Nope! Here’s Why…
Sharing a last name in Iceland doesn’t mean that folks are related. In fact, many people share the same last name that aren’t related.
That being said, Iceland is a small island with a concentrated population. It’s so small that Icelanders often need to check the Íslendingabók database when dating to make certain that they aren’t accidentally related to their love interest.
Driving Around Iceland, You’ll See These Names Everywhere
From road signs to memorial plaques, the -son and -dóttir names are everywhere in Iceland.
Even a few towns are linked to historical figures and display their Icelandic names proudly including Egilsstaðir, which comes from the popular name Egill. Similarly, Kjálkafjarðartungur was named for the settler, Geirsteinn Kjálki.
FAQs About Icelandic Names
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Why don’t Icelanders share last names when married?
In Iceland, surnames don’t come from a family line or marriage — they’re created from a parent’s first name. So even if two people marry, they each keep their own patronymic or matronymic name. This reflects Iceland’s strong cultural value of personal identity over family legacy.
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What’s the Íslendingabók database?
It’s a unique online genealogy tool used in Iceland to trace ancestry back over 1,200 years. Because Iceland’s population is small and tightly connected, people sometimes check Íslendingabók before dating — just to make sure they’re not unknowingly related!
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Can tourists choose an Icelandic last name?
Not quite. While it’s fun to imagine being a Jónsson or Guðmundsdóttir, Icelandic naming laws are pretty strict. Foreigners can’t just adopt Icelandic-style surnames unless they become citizens and register with an Icelandic name that follows official rules.
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What if I’m non-binary — can I get “‑bur”?
Yes! Since 2019, Iceland recognizes the gender-neutral suffix ‑bur, meaning “child.” So instead of ‑son or ‑dóttir, someone can use a surname like Jónsbur, honoring their parent without defining their gender identity. Iceland remains one of the few countries that offers this option officially.
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Do Icelanders have family names like in other countries?
In general, no — Icelanders don’t use inherited family surnames. Instead, each person gets a last name based on their parent’s first name, and it changes every generation. That said, a very small number of Icelandic families do have traditional family names, often passed down from foreign ancestry or established before naming laws changed in 1925. But it’s rare — and definitely not the norm.
Travel Tip: Explore Icelandic Culture Yourself
Names are just one of Iceland’s many quirky traditions, but once you notice them, you’ll see them everywhere.
If you’re planning a trip, don’t just stick to the city. Visit places where you can feel that connection between names, land, and stories:
- Þingvellir National Park: The site of our original parliament, Alþingi. Here, leaders with names ending in ‑son and ‑dóttir debated laws over 1,000 years ago.
- Skógar Museum: Nestled near Skógafoss, this museum shows how Icelanders lived — with examples of old names carved in wood and stone.
- Settlement Center in Borgarnes: Learn about early settlers like Erik the Red and how naming customs were part of everyday life.
- Keldur Turf Farm: One of Iceland’s oldest preserved farms, where oral history and names are still passed down through generations.
Self-Drive = Full Freedom to Explore
Most of these sites are tucked away from the main towns, which means the best (and sometimes only!) way to reach them is with your own car.
With Firefly Iceland, you’ll find cheap but reliable rental cars perfect for exploring cultural stops at your own pace. Whether you’re following the Ring Road or planning a detour to a remote museum or settlement site, Firefly helps you travel like a local, with the freedom to stop anywhere a story catches your eye.
Ready to follow the road where names, stories, and landscapes come together? Book your Firefly rental today and get started on your Icelandic cultural road trip.
