In the midst of your Scandinavian research, you may find confusing surname suffixes. Known as patronymics, it may change, depending on the country that controlled the area and when. When researching your ancestors in Denmark, Norway, or Sweden,
my handy reference chart may assist your research when determining when changes to surnames occurred.
Naming trends as listed were used through most of the 18th and 19th centuries. As Scandinavian countries began requiring fixed surnames, families slowly began adopting and passing them on. Late in the 19th century many families, especially in Denmark, began using the male extension for both sons and daughters.
Denmark
sen datter
Sweden
son dotter
Norway Before 1814 (Danish rule)
sen 1814-1905 (Swedish rule) son
After 1905 (independence) sen before 1814 datter
1814-1905 dotter
After 1905 dotter
You may also find records listing the female’s surname ending with "dtr," which is an abbreviation for the full extension only.
For additional Q&A on understanding Danish surnames, go to:
