Afzelius

Afzelius is a Swedish surname. It is associated with a number of notable figures in science and literature, reflecting a historical tradition of scholarly and artistic achievement in Sweden.

Adam Afzelius was an 18th–19th century Swedish botanist and explorer who studied under Carl Linnaeus and contributed to early botanical science and taxonomy. He conducted botanical work in Africa and Europe, and his legacy is reflected in the plant genus Afzelia, named in his honor.

Ludvig Afzelius was a Swedish poet and translator who contributed to Swedish literature in the 19th century. His work is cited in discussions of Swedish literary and cultural history, illustrating the surname’s presence beyond the sciences.

The Afzelius name is relatively uncommon and predominantly found in Sweden, with bearers historically linked to intellectual and cultural circles. As a family name, it is part of Sweden’s broader pattern of Latinized or aristocratically styled surnames that emerged in earlier centuries and continued into modern times.