Carlson
A classic patronymic surname meaning “son of Carl” or “son of Karl.”
The #252 most common surname in the United States (2010 Census) — about 1 in every 2,561 Americans shares it.
Etymology
Carlson is a patronymic surname built from the given name Carl or Karl plus the Scandinavian/English -son suffix, literally meaning “son of Carl.” The underlying personal name Carl goes back to Old Norse and Germanic forms meaning “man” or “free man,” and is related to the widespread European name Charles. In practice, the surname developed independently in Scandinavian-speaking areas and was later carried into English-speaking countries by migration.
History
Carlson is especially common in Sweden and among people of Scandinavian descent, and it became well established in the United States through immigration in the 19th and early 20th centuries. In English records, the spelling often reflects Scandinavian naming habits, though similar patronymic forms could also arise in other Germanic contexts. Because patronymic surnames were common in the north of Europe, Carlson has a straightforward, widely shared origin.
Origin
Regions
Variant spellings
Fun fact
The name is part of a huge family of “son of Carl/Karl” surnames across Europe, with spelling changes often reflecting local language and immigration records rather than a different meaning.