andersson

Andersson is a Swedish patronymic surname meaning “son of Anders,” with Anders being the Scandinavian form of Andrew. The name reflects an old naming practice in which a child’s surname indicated the father’s given name, a pattern that became fixed as families adopted hereditary surnames in the 19th and early 20th centuries.

Today, Andersson is one of the most common surnames in Sweden and is widely found among Swedish-speaking populations in Finland. It also appears abroad through immigration, particularly in the United States and Canada, where people of Swedish descent may carry the name.

Variations and related forms occur in different languages. In Danish and Norwegian, the corresponding patronymic is Andersen; other Scandinavian variants include Anderssen. In English-speaking contexts, Anderson is a common anglicized form. The Swedish form typically uses the -sson suffix.

As a surname, Andersson does not denote a specific occupation or region in contemporary usage; rather, it identifies lineage rooted in the given name Anders. The name is associated with numerous individuals across diverse fields, including sports, arts, science, and public life, reflecting its widespread usage rather than a single notable bearer.