Discover people named Gertrud Johansdotter

The last name Johansdotter is of Swedish origin, derived from the patronymic naming tradition common in Scandinavia, where surnames were often formed by combining the father's first name with the suffix "-dotter," meaning "daughter of." This indicates that the name Johansdotter literally means "daughter of Johan," with Johan being the Swedish form of the name John, which itself has Hebrew roots meaning "God is gracious." The surname is primarily found in Sweden and reflects the historical practice of naming children after their parents, particularly in rural communities where lineage was significant. Variations of the name can include Johansdóttir in Icelandic contexts, where the suffix changes to "-dóttir" to denote "daughter," and similar forms may appear in other Nordic countries, reflecting local linguistic adaptations. The use of patronymics was prevalent until the late 19th century, after which fixed surnames became more common, leading to the establishment of Johansdotter as a recognized family name.