Haraldsdóttir

Haraldsdóttir is a common Icelandic patronymic surname. In Iceland, surnames are traditionally patronymic, meaning they are derived from the father's given name. Therefore, Haraldsdóttir literally translates to "daughter of Harald." This means that any female individual whose father is named Harald will bear the surname Haraldsdóttir. Conversely, a son of Harald would be named Haraldsson. This system is a key characteristic of Icelandic naming conventions and is still widely practiced today, although some Icelanders are adopting or have adopted fixed surnames. The patronymic system ensures that each generation's surname is directly linked to their father's name. While it is a surname, it functions differently than hereditary surnames found in many other cultures, as it changes with each generation. The prevalence of Haraldsdóttir indicates that Harald is a relatively common given name for males in Iceland.