Vilgerðarson

Vilgerðarson is a patronymic from Old Norse used in Norse and Icelandic naming, meaning "son of Vilgerð" (often Vilgeirr). In medieval Icelandic sources, the form identifies a man as the son of a father named Vilgerð rather than as a hereditary family surname. The suffix -arson is a standard element in Norse patronyms, and Vilgerðarson would change with each generation as different fathers named Vilgerð appear.

The most famous bearer in the historical record is Flóki Vilgerðarson, commonly known as Hrafna-Flóki (Raven Flóki). He is an early Norse explorer associated with the discovery and settlement of Iceland. According to the Icelandic sagas and the Landnámabók (Book of Settlements), he sailed from Norway with his companions and reached Iceland in the 9th century, wintered there, and contributed to the narrative of Iceland’s exploration. He is often cited in connection with the naming of Ísland, reportedly inspired by ice seen in the northern fjords.

Modern usage: In contemporary Iceland, Vilgerðarson serves as a patronymic, not a fixed surname. It would indicate that a man is the son of Vilgerð, with the mid-generation father’s name changing over time. Thus, while Vilgerðarson appears in historical texts as part of an individual’s full name, it does not function as a hereditary family name in modern Icelandic practice.