From feared raiders and masterful explorers to kings and saga heroes, the Vikings left a deep imprint on medieval Europe and beyond. This ranking focuses on historical figures rather than mythologised characters, using known deeds, long-term influence, and reputation to determine their placement.
1. Ragnar Lothbrok
Ragnar is the most famous Viking of all, though his story is tangled in myth. Said to have led raids across England and Francia, his death in a pit of snakes is one of the most iconic images in Norse lore. His sons went on to shape history across Europe, giving weight to the idea that Ragnar had a real historical core.
Modern portrayal: Vikings (History Channel)
Lived: Possibly mid-9th century
Sources: Ragnars saga loðbrókar, Tale of Ragnar’s Sons, Gesta Danorum
2. Leif Erikson
The son of Erik the Red, Leif is credited with sailing to North America nearly 500 years before Columbus. He named the land Vinland, likely in reference to wild grapes or fertile conditions. His achievement is one of the earliest recorded instances of transatlantic exploration.
Lived: c. 970–1020
Sources: Saga of the Greenlanders, Saga of Erik the Red
Modern portrayal: Vikings: Valhalla (Netflix)
3. Harald Hardrada
A former Varangian Guard, warrior, and king of Norway, Harald’s attempt to conquer England ended at the Battle of Stamford Bridge in 1066. Though defeated, his military career across Byzantium, Kievan Rus, and Scandinavia made him a towering figure of the late Viking Age.
Lived: 1015–1066
Sources: Heimskringla by Snorri Sturluson
Modern portrayal: Mentioned in historical documentaries and dramatizations
4. Ivar the Boneless
One of Ragnar Lodbrok’s sons, Ivar led the Great Heathen Army that invaded England in 865. His nickname may refer to a medical condition or a fearsome reputation for battlefield agility. He became a kingmaker across parts of England and Ireland.
Lived: Mid-to-late 9th century
Sources: Tale of Ragnar’s Sons, Anglo-Saxon Chronicle
Modern portrayal: Vikings (History Channel)
5. Bjorn Ironside
Another son of Ragnar, Bjorn led daring raids deep into the Mediterranean, sacking cities along the Spanish and Italian coasts. He is also linked with the founding of a royal line in Sweden. His campaigns stretched the known limits of Viking raiding power.
Lived: 9th century
Sources: Tale of Ragnar’s Sons, Frankish annals
Modern portrayal: Vikings (History Channel)
6. Erik the Red
Exiled from Norway and later Iceland, Erik the Red founded the first Norse settlement in Greenland. His legacy is tied to bold exploration and the ability to survive in some of the harshest environments imaginable.
Lived: c. 950–1003
Sources: Saga of Erik the Red, Saga of the Greenlanders
Modern portrayal: Referenced in exploration-focused media and textbooks
7. Rollo of Normandy
Rollo was a Viking leader who was granted land by the Frankish king Charles the Simple in 911. That land became Normandy. Rollo’s descendants would include William the Conqueror, anchoring his influence in both French and English history.
Lived: c. 860–930
Sources: Gesta Normannorum Ducum, Frankish chronicles
Modern portrayal: Vikings (History Channel)
8. Freydís Eiríksdóttir
Daughter of Erik the Red, Freydís appears in the Vinland sagas as a strong and fearless figure. While her role is debated, her presence in the narratives suggests that women held more influence in Viking society than often assumed.
Lived: Early 11th century
Sources: Saga of the Greenlanders, Saga of Erik the Red
Modern portrayal: Vikings: Valhalla (Netflix)
9. Gunnar Hamundarson
Famous through the Njáls saga, Gunnar was a real chieftain in Iceland known for his charisma, skill in combat, and tragic end. His legacy reflects the Icelandic emphasis on honour, law, and poetic storytelling.
Lived: 10th century Iceland
Sources: Njáls saga
Modern portrayal: Rarely portrayed, but iconic in Icelandic literature
10. Egill Skallagrímsson
Warrior, poet, and troublemaker, Egill was a true archetype of the Icelandic skald. His saga blends history with rich character detail, giving insight into Viking values of honour, vengeance, and intellectual wit.
Lived: c. 904–995
Sources: Egils saga
Modern portrayal: Less common, but referenced in academic and literary contexts
Honourable Mentions
- Aud the Deep-Minded – A widowed noblewoman who led her family to safety and founded settlements in Iceland.
- Sigurd Snake-in-the-Eye – Alleged son of Ragnar, he ruled in Denmark and took part in campaigns across northern Europe.
- Sweyn Forkbeard – First Danish king of England, he laid the groundwork for his son Cnut’s rule over a North Sea empire.
- Cnut the Great – While more of a post-Viking ruler, Cnut’s dominance of England, Denmark, and Norway shows the political legacy of the Viking expansion.
- Harald Bluetooth – Known for Christianising Denmark and lending his name to modern wireless technology, his reign bridged paganism and the emerging medieval Christian world.
Summary Table
| Name | Century | Primary Sources | Modern Portrayals |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ragnar Lodbrok | 9th | Tale of Ragnar’s Sons, Krákumál | Vikings (TV) |
| Leif Erikson | 10th–11th | Saga of the Greenlanders | Vikings: Valhalla (TV) |
| Harald Hardrada | 11th | Heimskringla | Vikings: Valhalla (TV) & numerous Documentaries |
| Ivar the Boneless | 9th | Anglo-Saxon Chronicle | Vikings (TV) |
| Bjorn Ironside | 9th | Frankish annals | Vikings (TV) |
| Erik the Red | 10th | Saga of Erik the Red | Historical references |
| Rollo of Normandy | 9th–10th | Frankish chronicles | Vikings (TV) |
| Freydís Eiríksdóttir | 11th | Vinland sagas | Vikings: Valhalla (TV) |
| Egill Skallagrímsson | 10th | Egils saga | Academic circles |
| Gunnar Hamundarson | 10th | Njáls saga | Icelandic literature |
The Seven Swords Takeaway
The Vikings were more than raiders. They were traders, settlers, poets, and kings. Their influence is seen in language, place names, genetics, and medieval power structures from the North Atlantic to Byzantium. While some names are shrouded in legend, their stories reflect the restless ambition of a people who reshaped the medieval world by sea and sword.
Watch the documentary:
