Gustafson
A Scandinavian patronymic surname meaning “son of Gustaf.”
The #1,333 most common surname in the United States (2010 Census) — about 1 in every 11,686 Americans shares it.
Etymology
Gustafson is a patronymic surname built from the given name Gustaf and the Scandinavian suffix -son, meaning “son of.” The personal name Gustaf is a Swedish form of Gustav, ultimately from Old Norse elements often explained as “staff of the Geats” or “royal staff,” though the first element’s exact origin is debated. In plain terms, the surname means “son of Gustaf.”
History
The name is especially associated with Sweden and with Scandinavian-descended families in North America. Like many patronymic surnames, it became fixed as a hereditary family name when naming customs shifted from literal generation-by-generation patronymics to permanent surnames. It is common in the U.S. among families of Swedish or broader Nordic ancestry.
Origin
Regions
Variant spellings
Fun fact
The spelling with one s, Gustafson, is especially common in English-speaking countries, while Swedish records often preserve the doubled -sson form.