Erickson is a patronymic surname of English origin, meaning "son of Eric." It is an anglicized form of Scandinavian surnames such as Danish and Norwegian Eriksen, Swedish Eriksson, and sometimes directly from the English Eric + -son. The surname is particularly common in English-speaking countries, notably the United States, Canada, and the United Kingdom, where it arrived through immigration from Scandinavia. Etymology The root patronymic name Eric itself derives from the Old Norse name Eiríkr, composed of elements ei "ever, always" and ríkr "ruler, king." Thus, the broader meaning conveys "ever ruler." The name Eric was brought to England by Danish settlers during the Anglo-Saxon period but was rare in the Middle Ages before its 19th-century revival. Notable historical bearers of the root name include Erik the Red, a 10th-century Norse explorer who discovered Greenland, and several early Scandinavian kings. Variants and Distribution Beyond the anglicized Erickson, alternative spellings include Erekson, Ericson, Ericsson, Erikson, and Errickson. Variant forms in other languages include Norwegian Eriksen, Swedish Eriksson, Dutch Eerkens, Erckens, Erkens, and the simplified Ericson. All these patronymic surnames literally mean "son of Eric." The name is most frequent in the United States, ranking among the top 500 surnames. Notable Bearers Individuals with the Erickson surname include Arthur E. Erickson (1913–2011), consultant furniture designer, as well as E. Frank Erickson (1921–1990) or Ernie Erickson (1878–1941). Many sports figures also bear the name, such as Cody Erickson in baseball. Key Facts Meaning: Son of Eric ("ever ruler") Origin: English (from Scandinavian) Type: Patronymic surname Usage: English-speaking countries, especially US, Canada, UK