Surname Nilssen - Meaning and Origin

Nilssen: What does the surname Nilssen mean?

The last name Nilssen is a patronymic Scandinavian surname meaning “son of Nils”. The name Nils is a derivative of the given name Nicholas, which is Greek in origin and means “victory of the people”. This name is thought to have spread from Greece to Scandinavia where it was adapted into modern Scandinavian languages.

The surname Nilssen can be found in records as early as the 16th century. At this time it was a common surname used by men in Norway, Sweden and the Faeroe Islands. It would have been used by the sons of Nils, who were adopted into this surname after being born of Nils and his wife.

The Nilssen surname is most common in Scandinavian countries. In modern times, Nilssen has gained popularity around the world including North America and Australia. Families with this surname are proud of their Scandinavian heritage and often explore their genealogical roots.

Nilssen is a popular surname that carries with it a proud Scandinavian heritage. It is a reminder of the great strength and resilience of the people who bore this name. The Nilssen name is rich with history and tradition, making it a meaningful last name for any family.

Nilssen: Where does the name Nilssen come from?

The last name Nilssen is most common in Norway, with over 8,800 individuals carrying the name in the most recent census. The name is likely derived from the first name “Niels”, a common Nordic name that dates back to medieval times. It is believed to have originated from the Ancient Greek “Nikolaos”, which means “victory of the people”.

The Nilssen surname can also be found in Denmark, but is much less common there. Moreover, it is not found in Sweden and Finland, possibly because most toponyms (place names) with the root “Nils” were adapted to the Nordic languages in the early Middle Ages, and Nilssen was not among them.

The name is also seen in other parts of Europe, mainly in Germany and the Netherlands. There are some Nilssens in the United States and Canada, although it is much less common there.

In recent years, the Nilssen surname has also been adopted by many families in other countries, stemming from marriages or migration movements. This is particularly true in South America, where the surname is found in Brazil, Chile, and Argentina.

Overall, the Nilssen surname can be found in many parts of the globe, though it is most common in Norway.

Variations of the surname Nilssen

Nilssen is a predominantly Scandinavian surname derived from the personal name "Nils". Variants and spellings of Nilssen include Niels, Nielson, Nielson, Nielsson, Nilson, Nilsen, Niilsson, Nilsson, Neilson, and Neilsson.

In the North Germanic languages—Norwegian, Danish, and Swedish—the personal name Nils is derived from the Old Norse name "Nílís", from the Proto-Germanic form "Nīðilaz". It is believed to be composed of the elements "nith", meaning 'contention', and "haizaz", or 'courageous'. Nils was a popular name throughout the Norse-speaking world of the Early Middle Ages, used by several famous warriors and kings.

The surnames Nilssen, Nielsen, Nielson, Nielsson, Nilson, Nilsen, Niilsson, and Nilsson are patronymic derivations of the personal name Nils. The surnames Neilson and Neilsson, however, are based on the Anglicized version of the name, “Neil”.

The patronage surnames Nilssen and Nielsen are by far the most popular versions of the surname. Nilssen is especially common in Norway and comprises about 0.13% of the population there, while Nielsen is the 4th most common surname in Denmark (and the 23rd most common name in the country overall) and comprises about 3.25% of the population.

In English-speaking countries, Nilssen, Nielsen, Nielson, Nielsson, Nilson, Nilsen, Niilsson, Nilsson, Neilson, and Neilsson are all among the more common English-language forms of the surname.

Famous people with the name Nilssen

• John Nilssen: an American entrepreneur and the founder of the holding company Nilssen Group.
• Kristine Nilssen: a Norwegian born entrepreneur, businesswoman and faith leader
• Birger Nilssen: a Norwegian professional footballer for Viking.
• Morten Nilssen: a Norwegian artist who is known for creating animated movies, music videos, and short films.
• Yngve Nilssen: a Norwegian alpine skier, competing in slalom.
• Guri Nilssen: a Norwegian MP who served as the President of the Parliament of Norway from 2009 to 2013.
• Tom M. Nilssen: a Norwegian politician who was a Member of Parliament in 2009.
• Lars Nilssen: a professional football player from Norway.
• Edvard Nilssen: a Norwegian writer and film editor.
• Julian Nilssen: a Swedish-Norwegian musician who plays punk rock and indie-pop.
• David Nilssen: a Norwegian business executive who is the CEO of the Nilssen Group.
• Harald Nilssen: a Norwegian politician and representative of the Labour Party in Parliament.
• Stian Nilssen: a Norwegian professional snowboarder.
• Carina Nilssen: a Norwegian diplomat and ambassador.
• Henning Nilssen: a Norwegian businessman and the Managing Director of Nilssen Group.
• Lorentz Nilssen: a Norwegian football player who played for the Norwegian youth national teams.
• Svein Nilssen: a Norwegian author and playwright.
• Hans Nilssen: a Norwegian curler who competed in the 2006 and 2010 Winter Olympics.
• Jørgen Nilssen: a Norwegian actor and scriptwriter.
• Thorbjørn Nilssen: a Norwegian politician who was mayor of Malvik from 1999 to 2011.

Other surnames

Nilsson