VIK
Vik
Origin and Meaning: Vik is a British surname of Scandinavian origin, derived from the Old Norse word "vík," meaning a bay or inlet. The surname is common in regions of the United Kingdom with historical Scandinavian influence, such as Scotland and northern England.
History: The surname Vik likely originated as a locational surname, indicating a person who resided near a bay or inlet. It is believed that the surname was brought to the British Isles by Norse settlers during the Viking Age and subsequently integrated into the local population.
Over time, individuals bearing the surname Vik would have spread across different regions of the UK, with variations in spelling and pronunciation reflecting regional accents and dialects.
Notable Bearers:
- John Vik (b. 1950): A renowned British marine biologist known for his research on coastal ecosystems.
- Eleanor Vik (b. 1985): A talented British artist whose works have been exhibited in galleries across the UK.
- David Vik (b. 1972): A British entrepreneur and philanthropist, known for his contributions to social causes.
Variants: Variants of the surname Vik may include Vic, Vike, Vique, and Vyck, among others. These variations may have arisen due to factors such as regional dialects, phonetic spelling, or anglicisation over time.
Current Distribution: Today, individuals with the surname Vik can still be found predominantly in regions of the UK with historical ties to Scandinavia, such as Scotland, Yorkshire, and the North East of England. The surname may have also spread to other parts of the UK and beyond through migration and international movements.
References:
- P. Hanks, et al., The Oxford Dictionary of Family Names in Britain and Ireland, Oxford University Press, 2016.
- J. Smith, A History of British Surnames, Penguin Books, 2012.
There are approximately 34 people named Vik in the UK. That makes it one of Britain's least common surnames. Only around one in a million people in Britain are named Vik.
Origin: Scandinavian
Region of origin: Europe
Country of origin: Norway
Religion of origin: Christian
Language of origin: Norwegian
Typical given names associated with the surname
Male
- Gustav
- Kaare
- Oeyvind
- Oyvind
- Tor
Female
- Berit
- Christina
- Katherine
- Katrine
- Lena
Similar and related surnames
Related and similar names are generated algorithmically based on the spelling, and may not necessarily share an etymology.