Stefánsson

Stefánsson is an Icelandic surname that functions as a patronymic, meaning “son of Stefán.” The given name Stefán is the Icelandic form of Stephen, derived from the Greek Stephanos.

In Iceland, most last names are not fixed family surnames but patronymics or occasionally matronymics. A child’s surname typically reflects a parent’s given name, so Stefánsson indicates the bearer is the son of a man named Stefán, while a daughter would be Stefánsdóttir. Because of this system, Stefánsson does not consistently signify a single family lineage across generations.

Spelling and variants: Stefánsson is written with the Icelandic diacritic on the a. When diacritics are omitted, it often appears as Stefansson in international records. Other related forms include Stefánsdóttir for females.

Geographic and cultural usage: Stefánsson is most common in Iceland and among Icelandic diaspora communities in North America and Europe. In non-Icelandic contexts, the name may be treated as a standard surname, even though it is conceptually a patronymic.

Stefánsson is distinct from inherited family surnames in many other cultures. The Icelandic naming practice, rooted in Old Norse tradition, emphasizes given-name-based identifiers rather than fixed lineage names, a system that remains largely in place today, with occasional adoption of permanent surnames for legal or practical reasons.