Thordardóttir

Thordardóttir is a common Icelandic patronymic surname. In Iceland, patronymics are formed by taking the genitive case of the father's given name and adding "-dóttir" (daughter) or "-son" (son). Therefore, Thordardóttir literally means "daughter of Thordar". This naming convention is a significant part of Icelandic culture and differs from hereditary surnames common in many other parts of the world.

Individuals with the surname Thordardóttir are descendants of fathers named Thordar. The prevalence of this patronymic reflects the historical popularity of the given name Thordar in Iceland. While most Icelanders use patronymics, there are a small number of families who have adopted hereditary surnames. However, patronymics remain the dominant form of personal identification. Understanding Icelandic naming practices is key to correctly identifying individuals and their lineage within the country. The use of patronymics ensures a direct connection to the father's name for each generation.