Arvidsson

Arvidsson is a Swedish surname of patronymic origin, meaning "son of Arvid." The name dervves from the Old Norse personal name Arnviðr, composed of the elements ǫrn meaning "eagle" and viðr meaning "tree". While Arvid was primarily used as a first name in Scandinavia, the surname pattern -sson became widespread in Sweden after its formal adoption by many families in the 19th century, though patronymic usage existed earlier.

Notable Bearers

The surname Arvidsson has been borne by several notable individuals across various fields. Eric Arvidsson (1460–1530), also known as Eric Trolle, served as regent of Sweden in 1512 during the Kalmar Union. In sports, Swedish athletes include Pär Arvidsson (born 1960), a former swimmer who won bronze at the 1984 Summer Olympics, and Isak Arvidsson (born 1992), a professional tennis player. The Arvidsson name appears in music through the Eurodance duo Smile.dk, one of whose members was Veronica Arvidsson. Other prominent figures include Margareta Arvidsson (born 1947), crowned Miss Universe in 1966, and Lillemor Arvidsson (1943–2012), Swedish trade union leader and Governor of Gotland. Historian Agnes Arvidsson (1875–1962) was a pioneering Swedish pharmacist.

Distribution and Variants

The surname is most common in Sweden, particularly in southern regions like Skåne and Stockholm. It is a classic example of Scandinavian patronymic naming, distinct from the Icelandic preservation of true patronymics (e.g., Arvidsson for a son, Arvidsdóttir for a daughter). In Sweden, Arvidsson has been a fixed hereditary surname since the late 1800s, originally indicating lineage but now simply a family name. A related form in Norway is Arvidssen, though rarer.

• Meaning: The originally was a patronymic meaning "eagle's tree".
• Origin: Scandinavian
• Usage: primarily as a Swedish surname in history and today.