Gustafsson

Gustafsson is a Swedish surname formed as a patronymic meaning “son of Gustaf,” with Gustaf being the Swedish form of Gustav. The name’s origins are in the given name Gustav, a Germanic name adopted in Scandinavia, and the suffix -sson denotes lineage.

In Sweden the surname is very common and is also found among Swedish-speaking populations in Finland. It has spread internationally through migration, and in English-speaking contexts may appear as Gustafson or Gustafsson. Like many Scandinavian patronymics, the name reflects a historical naming practice rather than a fixed family clan.

Notable people with the surname include Alexander Gustafsson, a Swedish mixed martial artist who has competed in the UFC; Lars Gustafsson, a Swedish writer, poet, and professor (1936–2016); and Johan Gustafsson, a Swedish ice hockey goaltender who has played in the NHL and in Swedish leagues. The surname is widely encountered across Swedish society, spanning sports, literature, science, and the arts, reflecting its status as a common ancestral identifier rather than a single notable lineage.