Surname Hansens - Meaning and Origin
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Hansens: What does the surname Hansens mean?
The last name Hansen is of Scandinavian origin, specifically originating from Denmark, Norway, and Sweden. It is derived from the given name 'Hans', which is the equivalent of the English name 'John'. The name itself means 'Son of Hans'. It is a patronymic surname, meaning it was created from the name of an ancestor, usually the father of the original bearer.
The surname derives from the Middle Ages, when people used son or daughter of their father's first name as part of their last name. It is now the most common surname in Denmark, and one of the most common surnames in Norway and Iceland.
The surname is also found in various anglicized forms including Hansson, Hanson, and Hanssen. In some cases, the surname may have been taken on by immigrants to other countries. Variations were also created depending on what language immigrants used; for example, in Dutch-speaking regions the surname was often changed to 'Hansen', otherwise it was transliterated as 'Hansson'.
Hansens were historically a rural, agricultural people, often associated with farms and livestock. They typically lived off the land and worked hard to provide for their family. This trait of hard work is often reflected in modern-day Hansens as well.
Order DNA origin analysisHansens: Where does the name Hansens come from?
The last name Hansen is one of the most well-known and common surnames in Scandinavia. It is especially common in Denmark, where according to the 2019 population register around 92,000 persons bear Hansen as their last name. Hansen is the second most popular surname in Denmark, behind Nielsen. It is also common in Norway, where around 2.3% of the population share the surname. Furthermore, the surname is generally found in Scandinavian countries such as Sweden, Finland, and Iceland.
Outside of Scandinavia, Hansen is a relatively common name in countries that have a significant Scandinavian diaspora such as Germany, Canada, the United States, and Australia. In German-speaking countries, Hansen is seen as a variation of Hanssen, which is derived from the first name Johannes. The surname spread to the United States from the late 19th century onwards as a result of Danish immigration, with the vast majority of Hansens originating in the U.S. hailing from a Scandinavian background. It has since become a popular name in the United States, currently ranking in the top 160 surname rankings in the country.
In the United States, the name Hansen is particularly popular, along with its many spelling variations, in states with historically strong Scandinavian influence, such as Minnesota, Wisconsin, and North Dakota. It remains one of the most recognizable surnames in the English-speaking world, with a diverse range of individuals bearing the name.
Variations of the surname Hansens
The surname Hansens is an ancient Scandinavian surname of patronymic origin. Variants and spellings of Hansens include Hansen, Hanssen, Hansson, Hennsen, Hanssøn, Hanson, Hansonn, Hansdatter, and Hansdotter.
Hansen is a common patronymic name meaning "son of Hans," referring to "Hans," a form of the given name Johansen which is a cognate of the English name John. John was a popular name in medieval Scandinavia and thus the name Hansens is common in Denmark, Norway, and Sweden, as well as in other countries where Norwegian and Danish emigrant populations settled.
The spelling of the name is also variable, and can be found as: Hanson, Hensen, Henssen, Henson, and Hansson.
In Denmark, the name is often found as Hansdatter or Hansdotter, which means "daughter of Hans."
In America, the name is often found spelled as Hansen, Hanson, and Hanssen.
The Norwegian spelling is Hanssøn which means "son of Hans."
To conclude, the origin of the surname Hansens is from the given name Johansen and the variants, spellings, and surnames of the same origin for the surname Hansens include Hansen, Hanssen, Hansson, Hennsen, Hanssøn, Hanson, Henson, Hansdatter, and Hansdotter.
Famous people with the name Hansens
- Sterling K. Brown: American actor, best known for his role as Randall Pearson on the NBC drama series This Is Us.
- Ty Hansen: retired American professional stock car racing driver.
- Bob Hansen: retired American professional basketball player.
- Finn Hansen: Danish former professional football player.
- Olav Hansen: Norwegian former ski jumper who competed in the Winter Olympics in 1956.
- Lars Hansen: Danish actor best known for his role as counsel Donny in the 1987 film The Untouchables.
- Ebbe Hansen: Danish poet, novelist, essayist, and playwright.
- Lars Ulrik Hansen: Danish former professional cyclist who rode in the July 1989 Tour de France.
- Jesper Hansen: Danish professional footballer who plays as a goalkeeper for AaB in the Danish Superliga.
- Al Hansen: American artist, known for his work in Fluxus and performance art.
- Rolf Hansen: Norwegian former handball player and current coach.
- Mads Hansen: Danish explorer who led an expedition to the West Indies in 1768.
- Gunnar Hansen: Icelandic guitarist and composer.
- Leif Hansen: Norwegian former alpine skier.
- Franny Hansen: American former professional barrel racer.
- Kenneth Hansen: Danish former motorcycle speedway rider.
- Bobby Hansen: American former professional basketball player.
- Mort Hansen: Danish former professional football player.
- Renée Hansen: Danish former football midfielder.
- Kristian Hansen: Danish former professional football defender and coach.