Grímsson

Grímsson is an Icelandic patronymic surname meaning "son of Grim." It is formed from the given name Grim (Icelandic Grímr or Grímur) plus the patronymic suffix -sson. In Iceland, patronymics rather than fixed family surnames are traditionally used, so Grímsson indicates the father's first name rather than a hereditary lineage. In international contexts, Grímsson may be treated as a surname, but in Iceland it is part of a naming system that emphasizes the immediate parent rather than a family line.

Notable bearers: Ólafur Ragnar Grímsson, born 1943, served as President of Iceland from 1996 to 2016. The surname is relatively uncommon outside Iceland, where it is often anglicized as Grimsson.

Etymology and usage: The root Grímr/Grímur is an Old Norse personal name. The form Grímsson survives in modern Icelandic as a straightforward patronymic, with daughters typically using Grímsdóttir as the feminine form. Some individuals and families living abroad may adopt Grímsson as a fixed surname, but this reflects diaspora naming practices rather than Icelandic tradition.