Modern Norwegian Surnames

[TheBellowingTurnip]

Hey,

I was just wondering how surnames worked in modern-day Norway?

I remember reading somewhere that many Norwegians do not marry, and when they do, the woman keeps her surname.

If this is true, I was just wondering what surname the child would be given as I know that -son and -dotter etc. is no-longer common practice.

Thanks,

Xochitl

[malte]

Hi Xochitl,

family names in Norway work as in most other Western countries, i.e. children inherit a family name from their parents. Patronymic names (e.g. Hansen, Johansen, Jacobsen) are inherited the same way, independent of the father's or mother's first name. This became common practice around 1900, and is mandatory by law since 1923. Even today, the most common family names in Norway are patronymic names. (Ref: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Scandinavi ... ogy#Norway)

If the parents have different names, it is up to them to decide; if they cannot decide the child received its mother's family name; ref Norwegian law text: http://www.lovdata.no/all/hl-20020607-019.html#2

Regards,
Malte.

[TheBellowingTurnip]

Thank you very much, Malte!

Xoch.