Ellingson

Etymology

Ellingson is a patronymic surname built from the personal name Elling plus “son,” meaning “son of Elling.” The name Elling is found in Scandinavian use and is usually treated as a traditional given name rather than a word with a transparent modern English meaning. In English-speaking countries, the surname most often reflects Norwegian or Danish family naming patterns brought by immigration.

History

The surname appears mainly in North American records, especially among families of Scandinavian origin. Like many patronymics, it became a fixed hereditary surname after migration to countries where surnames were no longer changed from generation to generation. The form Ellingson is especially familiar in the United States and is related to other Scandinavian surnames built from personal names plus -son.

Origin

Regions

Variant spellings

Fun fact

The ending -son is a clue that the name likely began as a literal family description before becoming a permanent surname.

Related surnames