Surname Michelssen - Meaning and Origin
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Michelssen: What does the surname Michelssen mean?
The last name Michelssen is of German and Scandinavian origin. It is a patronymic surname, deriving from the first name of the father of the bearer. The name "Michels" is thought to come from the Middle Low German 'Michel' which means 'Who is like God'. This name was given as a reference to the biblical figure Michael, the leader of Heaven's armies.
The name Michelssen is most commonly pronounced MICH-el-sen or MICHELS-en. It can also be seen as Michelson, Mikeson, Mikesen, or Mikeson, among other variations, and is fairly common throughout Germany and Scandinavia.
The Michelssen family can trace its origins back to medieval Germany and has a rich and storied history. Those of the family name are known to be independent, strong-willed and creative, with a keen eye for detail. They are natural problem-solvers, drawn to tackling difficult tasks, and are often driven by the need to prove themselves.
Overall, the Michelssen family is a proud one that prides itself on its long tradition and unique heritage.
Order DNA origin analysisMichelssen: Where does the name Michelssen come from?
The last name Michelssen is most common in Scandinavian countries, particularly in Norway and Sweden. It is particularly concentrated around Oslo in Norway and Stockholm in Sweden.
In Norway, it is the fourth most common surname after Hansen, Johansen and Olsen. It is estimated that approximately 11,000 people have the last name Michelssen in Norway. In Sweden, the name is the 39th most common, making up around 0.3 percent of the population.
Several variants of the Michelssen name can be found across northern Europe, with the spelling changed slightly to accommodate different languages. Such variants include Michelsen, Mikkelsen, Michelson and Michelsson, all of which are related to the original Michelssen surname.
The Michelssen name also appears across the world in countries such as the United States, Canada, Australia, New Zealand and Brazil. All of these countries, and many others, have immigrants from the Scandinavian countries that could be responsible for the migration of the surname.
Overall, the Michelssen surname is most common amongst Norwegian and Swedish populations, with a significant presence in other countries around the world.
Variations of the surname Michelssen
The surname Michelssen is derived from the Germanic personal name 'Michael', meaning ‘Who is Like God’. Variants and spellings of this surname range from Michelson, to Michelson, Mickleson, Mikkelsen, Miehels, Michels, Michalke, Michalski and Mieles.
Throughout history Michelssen families have spread across many countries, taking on different forms of the same name. In the Scandinavian countries and many parts of Northern Europe, the name has become commonly known as Mikkelsen. Variants such as Gen. Lt. Colonel Hans Mikkelsen of the Danish Air Force and Mandy Mikkelsen from the popular Danish soap opera 'Forbrydelsen' are examples of this. In Germany, there are also similar variants to this surname, such as Möckel and Michelski, with well known figures such as Professor Richard Möckel of the University of Hagen and Professor Wolfgang Michelski of the Technical University of Berlin, belonging to these branches of the family.
In the United Kingdom the most common spellings of this surname are Michelson and Michels, with individuals such as James Michelson, who is credited with co-developing the standard navigation system in ships, belonging to this branch of the family. Furthermore, in the United States the name has taken on a variety of spellings, ranging from 'Mickleson' in the states of Minnesota and Iowa, to 'Michalski' in different parts of the North East, and 'Michalke' in Wisconsin and Michigan.
Overall, the surname Michelssen is an evolving surname, with different spellings, stoires and histories corresponding with each branch of the family. Despite its various variants, the underlying meaning of ‘Who is Like God’ remains, regardless of how the name has evolved over time.
Famous people with the name Michelssen
- Emil Michelssen: German painter and satirist
- Rolf Michelssen: Swedish track and field athlete
- Robert Michelssen: German Olympic decathlete
- Lars Michelssen: Danish rower
- Anja Michelssen: German holistic therapist
- Eric Michelssen: American author and professor of computer science
- Christina Michelssen: Austrian author and former politician
- Lucy Michelssen: British sculptor
- Uli Michelssen: German economist and professor
- Isabelle Michelssen: Danish film producer and screenwriter
- Dieter Michelssen: German football player and manager
- Oliver Michelssen: British musicologist and composer
- Rasmus Michelssen: Danish politician
- Kim Michelssen: Danish musician and composer
- Jo Michelssen: Danish photographer
- Paul Michelssen: American Exception Visual Artist
- Finn Michelssen: Danish cross-country skier
- Eloise Michelssen: British actress
- Henrik Michelssen: Danish journalist and author
- Jenny Michelssen: Danish actress