Larson surname meaning

Larson is a Scandinavian patronymic meaning “son of Lars.” Lars is the Scandinavian form of Lawrence, from Latin Laurentius, a personal name traditionally linked with Laurentum and the laurel. In Sweden and nearby countries, patronymics were once formed afresh in each generation, so two Larson families did not necessarily share a recent ancestor. The surname later became fixed as families emigrated and civil records standardized names. Larsen and Larsson are close regional forms, while a spelling match with an unrelated Lawrence line is not proof of kinship. Parent’s name is the direct, high-confidence type.