Patronymics, place names and family names

We can find many types of name in written records, but the main types are patronymics, place names and family names.

Patronymics

Patronymics (or patronyms as they are also called) are surnames derived from the father’s Christian name. If a man called Hans had a son christened Ole, the boy’s name would be Ole Hansen. Matronymics are corresponding names derived from the mother’s Christian name, but these are unusual in Norway except among the Sami people (for example the surname Sara). Patronymics were the common naming form in Norway up to the second half of the 19th century.

Place names

In Norway, surnames were sometimes derived from the place the person lived. A couple of examples of famous people with this type of surname are Ivar Aasen and Johan Falkberget. If Ole Hansen in the previous example lived on the farm Huseby, he could be called Ole Hansen Huseby to distinguish him from others by the name of Ole Hansen.