Félagsmenn

Félagsmenn is the plural form of the Icelandic noun félagsmaður, meaning a member of a félag. A félag can be an association, society, or company, so félagsmenn refers to individuals who belong to such a group or participate as partners or members within a contractual framework.

In civil and social contexts, félagsmenn are members of clubs, associations, unions, cooperatives, or other organizations. Membership is typically defined by by-laws or statutes and may confer rights such as attending general meetings, voting, standing for office, and receiving benefits. Rights and duties vary by organization and are governed by its rules.

In legal and corporate contexts, the term can also denote partners or owners in a félag, for example in a general partnership. In some corporate forms, particularly those with shareholders, the more common term for owners or investors is hluthafi or hluthafar, while félagsmaður may be used for individuals who participate as partners under a partnership agreement or who are members of a cooperative.

Etymology: the word combines félag, meaning a group, association, or company, with -maður, meaning a person. Thus, félagsmaður literally conveys “a person who belongs to a group.”

Usage notes: the word is neutral and widely used in Icelandic legal, organizational, and everyday language to describe membership. It should be chosen to reflect the exact status (member, partner, owner) as defined by the relevant rules of the félag.