Arvidson Surname: Origin, Meaning & Family History

Meaning & Etymology

Swedish patronymic meaning 'son of Arvid', from Old Norse Arnvidr, from arn (eagle) and vidr (tree, forest)

The Arvidson Family Through History

The Arvidson surname has been part of the English landscape since the medieval period. The development of hereditary surnames in England accelerated after the Norman Conquest, as record-keeping became more systematic and families needed fixed identifiers for legal and property purposes.

Historical records trace the Arvidson surname to c. 1500, with the name associated with Sweden. Parish records, tax rolls, and manorial documents from this period provide evidence of the family's presence and standing in their local communities. The geographic distribution of a surname often reveals important clues about a family's origins and the movements of their ancestors over the centuries.

The Arvidson family name appears in the records of the British gentry and peerage, with connections including Swedish families of this name appear in 17th-century church and tax records; some bore the cognate form Arfwidsson which was associated with minor Swedish nobility.. While not every branch of a family held titles, the connection to the peerage system demonstrates the family's place within the broader social fabric of British history. Many families moved between the gentry and the titled aristocracy over the centuries, with fortunes rising and falling according to political allegiance, marriage alliances, and economic circumstances.

The Arvidson name has been carried by notable figures across a range of fields. These individuals represent just a fraction of the Arvidson legacy that continues to unfold.

Coat of Arms

Coats of arms were granted to specific individuals and their descendants, not to everyone sharing a surname. If you believe you may be entitled to bear the Arvidson arms, the College of Arms can help verify your lineage. Learn more in our guide: How Do I Find My Family Crest?

Noble Connections

This surname has connections to the gentry and titled families throughout history.

• Swedish families of this name appear in 17th-century church and tax records; some bore the cognate form Arfwidsson which was associated with minor Swedish nobility.

The Arvidson surname can be found in the annals of British peerage records, connecting the family to the long tradition of hereditary titles and noble rank. To understand where these titles sit in the hierarchy, see our interactive peerage hierarchy chart.

Celebrated Figures Named Arvidson

Related Surnames

These surnames share a similar Swedish origin and may have historical connections to the Arvidson family.

Explore England Lordship Cities

Discover the lordship history of cities connected to the Arvidson family's Swedish heritage.