Surname Andersen - Meaning and Origin

Unraveling the Andersen Lineage: My Enlightening Experience with the iGENEA DNA Test

Taking the iGENEA DNA test is an enlightening voyage of ancestry discovery. The test helps uncover the origins and evolution of your surname, in this case, Andersen. It traces the lineage, geographical dispersion, and migration patterns of our ancestors while providing a fabulous chance to connect with global family members sharing your surname.

T. Andersen

Andersen: What does the surname Andersen mean?

The surname Andersen is of Scandinavian origin and is a patronymic surname, which means it is derived from the name of a father or a male ancestor. The name translates directly to "son of Anders", with Anders being a personal name in Scandinavia, associated with the Greek name Andreas, which means "man" or "manly". It's the equivalent to the English surname Anderson. Typically, such surnames would pass from father to son, indicating lineage. This surname is common in Denmark and Norway and has variations in other parts of Scandinavia like Andersson in Sweden. The name became fixed and hereditary in these regions only after the patronymic system ceased by the late 19th century. Since then all children in a family, not just the eldest son, would bear this surname. Famous people with this last name include renowned fairy tale author Hans Christian Andersen and Norwegian footballer Mona Anderse.

Andersen: Where does the name Andersen come from?

The surname Andersen is of Scandinavian origin, derived from the patronymic naming tradition, in which children's surnames were based on their father's name. Specifically, Andersen means "son of Anders," with Anders being the Scandinavian form of Andrew. It was a common practice in Scandinavia to add 'sen' or 'son' to the father's name to indicate lineage. While it evolved in the regions that are now known as Denmark, Norway, and Sweden, the changes in naming laws over time have made it relatively uncommon in these countries today.

Presently, despite the low prevalence in Scandinavia, the surname Andersen remains relatively common in the United States due to past immigration patterns. Significant numbers of Scandinavians, particularly Danes and Norwegians, migrated to the United States during the 19th and early 20th centuries. As they assimilated, they retained and passed on their surnames, leading to the apparent commonality of Andersen. Similarly, it can also be found among descendants of Scandinavian immigrants in other English-speaking countries, such as the UK and Australia.

Variations of the surname Andersen

The surname Andersen is of Scandinavian origin and is a patronymic name derived from the personal name Anders, which is the Scandinavian form of Andrew. Variations of this surname are popular in Denmark, Sweden, and Norway and they have slightly different spellings reflecting each country's unique linguistic traditions.

In Denmark, the common variant of Andersen is Anderson. In Norwegian, the surname Andersen is often spelled as Andresen or Andreason. In Sweden, the name is often rendered as Andersson or Anderson.

It may also be anglicized or Americanized as Anderson, Andrews, or Andrieson in English-speaking countries. In more rare instances, it might be found as Andera, Ander, or Andras.

As a surname, Andersen is notably common among Danish-American and Norwegian-American communities. Families with this surname can also be found in countries around the world due to migration and emigration over the centuries. Despite the numerous variations and spellings, all these names bear the same meaning "son of Anders/Andrew."

Famous people with the name Andersen

• Hans Christian Andersen: Danish author, best known for his fairy tales.
• Pamela Anderson: Canadian-American actress and model.
• Gillian Anderson: American-British film, television and theatre actress, best known for playing the role of Dana Scully in the TV series "The X-Files".
• Loni Anderson: American actress, recognized for her role in the TV series "WKRP in Cincinnati".
• Brett Anderson: English singer-songwriter, hes is known as the lead vocalist of the rock band Suede.
• Bridgette Andersen: American child actress and child model.
• Arthur Andersen: Noted American accountant and founder of accounting firm 'Arthur Andersen LLP'.
• Joachim Andersen: Danish professional footballer who plays as a centre-back.
• Sophie Andersen: Famous jewelry designer.
• Kim Andersen: Professional Danish cyclist.
• Derek Andersen: American entrepreneur, founder of Startup Grind.
• Chris Andersen: American former professional basketball player.
• Soren Andersen: Highly-regarded Danish guitarist.
• Hjalte Andersen: Danish former footballer.
• Richard Dean Anderson: American actor and producer, best known for his roles in MacGyver and Stargate SG-1.
• Judith Anderson: Australian actress.
• Laurie Halse Anderson: American author known for children's and young adult novels.
• Maya Andersen: American basketball player.
• Anastasia Andersen: New Mexico based contemporary and figurative artist.

Other surnames

AndersAndersohnAndersonAnderssenAnderssohnAndersson