Expert sailors and navigators, Vikings were seafaring people prominent from the late 8th to the late 11th centuries. They were originally from Scandinavia (present-day Denmark, Norway, and Sweden) but raided, pirated, and settled throughout parts of Europe over time. Some groups even voyaged as far as the Mediterranean, North Africa, the Middle East, Greenland, and Newfoundland.
Vikings profoundly impacted the early medieval period in Scandinavia, the British Isles, France, Estonia, and Kievan Rus’. Today, you might recognize only a few Vikings, such as Leif Erikson or Ragnar Lothbrok. There are many more prominent Vikings, so continue reading about the eight most famous Vikings in history and how they earned their reputations.
8. Harald Hardrada
Our eighth selection for the most famous Vikings is Harald Sigurdsson, who was given the epithet “Hardrada” which roughly translates to “hard ruler.” Harald was King of Norway from 1046 to 1066, employing an aggressively militaristic approach to how he ruled. He has been considered to be the last great Viking ruler, presiding over a time of peace and progress. Harald later introduced Christianity into his ranks, contrasting with his fierce reputation.
Before Harald became King, he spent around 15 years in exile as a mercenary and military commander in Kievan Rus’ and as a chief of the Varangian Guard for the Byzantine Empire. He has also been referred to as the “Thunderbolt of the North.”
RELATED: 10 Most Famous Pirates in History
7. Eric Bloodaxe
Seventh on the list of most famous Vikings is Eric Haraldsson, nicknamed Bloodaxe and Brother Slayer. Bloodaxe ruled as the King of Norway from 932 to 934 and twice ruled as King of Northumbria: 927 to 948, and 952 to 954. He was one of the many sons of Norway’s first king Harald Fairhair, and participated in bloody raids since he was 12.
Bloodaxe quickly learned the effectiveness of violence to distinguish yourself from other Vikings on raids, finally earning his spot as King. The real reason Eric Haraldsson earned his name Bloodaxe is quite gruesome, eliminating all but one of his brothers.
6. Ivar the Boneless
Though his name is Ivar Ragnarsson, Ivar the Boneless earned his spot as one of the most famous Vikings through his fearsome reputation. The Viking leader invaded England and Ireland during his lifetime alongside his two brothers. Ivar was known to be a Berserker, or champion Norse warrior who fought in a trance-like fury.
The origin of Ivar’s nickname is not certain, but he did suffer from a possible skeletal condition that caused his legs to fracture easily. This did not stop Ivar from becoming one of the most feared and respected Vikings during his time, making the name Ivar the Boneless respected instead of ridiculed.
CHECK OUT: 10 Most Famous Historical Couples
5. Björn Ironside
You may recognize our fifth most famous Viking from the History Channel show Vikings. Björn Ironside was a Norse Viking chief and Swedish King. He lived during the mid-9th century and was the son of notorious Viking King Ragnar Lodbrok. It has been said that Björn was the first ruler of the Swedish Munsö dynasty, a line of kings that ruled in Sweden until 1060.
Björn was renowned for the raids he led on France, England, and all along the Mediterranean coastline. You can read more stories about Björn and his brothers in the Tale of Ragnar’s Sons, which combines Norse oral history with legendary themes.
ALSO READ: 15 History Trivia Questions You Should Know
4. Freydís Eiríksdóttir
The only female on our most famous Vikings list is Freydís Eiríksdóttir, an Icelandic woman thought to be the daughter of Erik the Red. She was a prominent figure in the Norse exploration of North America as an early colonist of Vinland (Newfoundland), while her brother Leif Erikson is known for the first European contact on North American soil.
While there is only source material on Freydís, the Sage of the Greenlanders, and the Saga of Erik the Red, legend has it that she single-handedly chased off natives with a sword while pregnant.
3. Ragnar Lodbrok (Lothbrok)
Ranking third on our most famous Vikings list is Ragnar Lodbrok. Also known as Ragnar Lothbrok, he was a Viking hero, Danish King, and one of the most famous Viking warriors in history. Ragnar appears in Old Norse poetry of the Viking Age, Icelandic sagas, and near-contemporary chronicles.
Ragnar led many raids against the British Isles and the Carolingian Empire in the 9th century, distinguishing himself from other Vikings. You can also read about Ragnar’s exploits in Tale of Ragnar’s Sons and a Saga about Certain Ancient Kings.
CHECK OUT: Did You Know These 10 Rarest Historical Documents?
2. Erik the Red
Erik Thorvaldsson, commonly known as Erik the Red, ranks second on our most famous Vikings list. He mostly likely earned his epithet from the color of his hair and beard, but Erik the Red also had a bloodthirsty reputation. He was banished from Iceland around 982 for killing several men, and later explored Greenland, founding the first successful settlement on the island.
You may know Erik the Red more though because of his children, specifically Freydís Eiríksdóttir and Leif Erikson who became formidable warriors and helped create the Greenland settlement.
1. Leif Erikson
Last but certainly not least on our most famous Vikings list is Leif Erikson, also known as Leif the Lucky. Considered to be the first European to set foot on continental America, the Norse explorer did so half a millennium before Christopher Columbus. Leif was the son of Erik the Red, taking over the chief position after his father passed.
Leif’s successful expedition and settlement in Vinland encouraged other Norsemen to make the journey, becoming the first Europeans to colonize the area. Today, Leif’s legacy lives on in history books and tales, with many of these thought to be partly fictional.
