Duchies in Sweden - List of Dukes and Duchesses By Duchy in Sweden

List of Dukes and Duchesses By Duchy in Sweden

Professor of art history Jan Svanberg is of the opinion that since Birger Jarl (died 1266) wore a ducal coronet of English and continental European design, he actually was a duke, and that his Latin title of Dux Sueorum should be given as Duke and Regent of Sweden in English. In Sweden and in Swedish then, the meaning of the Latin dux was still interpreted as jarl until Birger's son officially was given the new hertig title, which the Swedes saw, from then on, as the equivalent of duke. Svanberg's opinion would then make duchesses of both of Birger's wives Ingeborg (died 1254) and Matilda (died 1288), in English usage. In addition to his own genealogy, Birger' powerful position has mainly been attributed to his royal marriage to his first consort and to the outcome of the Battle of Sparrsätra. Since his son, however, was the first to bear the Swedish title of hertig, this list begins, in the chronological aspect, with him.

This list of dukes and duchesses in Sweden excludes minor duchies (individual towns, manors, mines, estates) as well as former lands and provinces such as Finland and Estonia which are no longer in the kingdom. For ease of reference, the provinces are listed by their modern Swedish names, although Latin or English exonyms are given as alternatives for some. Years given are those during which ducal titles incontestably were held, regardless of subsequent status as monarchs or former royalty.