Hello historians! My friend had me ask about a "clan symbol" for her family's Viking clan, but it turned out to be completely unrelated. She was wondering if someone could help her track it down? Are they even real?
Her family origin is Norwegian with the last name Johnson (or Jonston, Jonnson or other spellings). I realize this is a really common name and I'm not sure if anyone could help, but I'd appreciate it if anyone tried!
Vikings did not have 'clans', our idea of a 'clan' is based on early modern Scotland. Even in the broadest sense of the word, the 'clan' seems not to have been a particularly useful social unit in Viking times. Dynasties or households definitely existed, but I do not know of organisations of a broader group based on distant family relation.
In any case, the name 'Johnson' is a patronymic, which means that the name originally derived from someone who was the son of John. In 'old times', the descendent of this 'Johnson' would have had another patronymic because their father was not called John, such as Thomson or Anderson. Besides, the name 'John', who at some point must have been your friend's ancestor, is derived from John the Baptist, which is a very Christian name. While Christian Vikings definitely existed near the end of the period, it would not be particularly characteristic.
Sorry to disappoint.