Thorson
A patronymic surname meaning “son of Thor,” the name of the Norse thunder god.
The #5,173 most common surname in the United States (2010 Census) — about 1 in every 45,727 Americans shares it.
Etymology
Thorson is a Scandinavian patronymic built from the personal name Thor, the Norse god of thunder, plus -son meaning “son.” In literal sense, it means “son of Thor,” whether originally used as a true patronymic or as a hereditary family name. The form is especially natural in Swedish and Norwegian naming traditions, where many surnames were created from a father’s given name.
History
The surname is found in Scandinavian countries and among descendants of Scandinavian emigrants, especially in North America. Like many patronymic names, it could begin as a descriptive identification and later settle into a fixed hereditary surname. American usage likely reflects immigration from Norway and Sweden during the 19th and early 20th centuries.
Origin
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Fun fact
Because Thor was one of the most prominent gods in Norse mythology, surnames built from his name are among the most instantly recognizable Scandinavian patronymics.