Surname Jorgensen - Meaning and Origin

An Intriguing Exploration of My Scandinavian Roots: Unraveling the Jorgensen Family History through a DNA Test

Using an iGENEA DNA test, I delved into my ancestry and discovered astounding facts about my lineage. Originating from the Scandinavian region, my surname Jorgensen, meaning 'son of Jorgen' or 'farmer', carries a rich history recounting the lives and journeys of the Vikings. The DNA test results have provided an intriguing correlation revealing my heritage while pioneering an exploration of my identity.

Y. Jorgensen

Jorgensen: What does the surname Jorgensen mean?

Jorgensen is a patronymic surname of Scandinavian origin. It is particularly common in Denmark and Norway. The name literally means "son of Jorgen" or "Jorgen’s son". In the old Nordic language, Jorgen is equivalent to the English name George, so an alternative meaning of Jorgensen could be "George’s son".

During the Viking Age, it was common Scandinavia practice to use patronymic names, where a person was named after their father, signified by adding a suffix like -sen (meaning son) or -dottir (meaning daughter). While many Scandinavian countries have moved away from this naming system, these patronymic surnames are still common.

The surname Jorgensen is not uniquely tied to any particular profession or status, and individuals with this name can be found across the globe due to patterns of Scandinavian emigration throughout history, particularly to North America. It is important to note that, unlike some surnames, Jorgensen does not provide any specific information about family history or inherited traits beyond this general Scandinavian heritage.

Jorgensen: Where does the name Jorgensen come from?

The surname Jorgensen is of Scandinavian origin, specifically Denmark. The name is patronymic, as is customary in Scandinavian culture, derived from the personal name Jørgen, which corresponds to the English name George. The ending "-sen" means "son of." Hence, Jorgensen can be interpreted as "son of Jørgen" or "son of George." This naming tradition was prevalent in Scandinavia until the late 19th to early 20th century when fixed family names became more common. Today, the surname Jorgensen is still very common in Denmark, and it's also found to some extent in other Scandinavian countries. Additionally, due to migration over the centuries, the lastname has spread around the world, particularly in the United States, and is somewhat common in countries like Canada, Australia, and New Zealand. While the name can be found globally, Denmark still has the highest prevalence of the surname Jorgensen.

Variations of the surname Jorgensen

The surname Jorgensen is of Scandinavian origin, commonly found in Denmark and Norway, meaning "son of Jorgen", a variant of George. There are several derived spellings and variants for Jorgensen. Some of them include Jorgenson, Jørgensen, Jurgensen, Jurgenson, and Jørgenson. You may also find variations based on the use of special characters, such as Jörgensen.

When Scandinavian immigrants came to English-speaking countries, they often Anglicized their names to fit in, so you may also find George’s son as a variant of this name.

In the same lineage, you may also find the surname Jørgensen with the prefixes of different places, like Kirkejorgensen (Kirkejørgensen) meaning "church Jørgensen," or Norrejorgensen (Nørrejørgensen) meaning "northern Jørgensen."

However, it’s important to note that not everyone with similar surnames are related, as the unique nature of patronymic surnames means that they can be created independently in different families. The best way to determine a familial connection is through genealogical research.

Famous people with the name Jorgensen

• Anders Christiansen Jorgensen- Danish politician who served as Prime Minister of Denmark from 2011 to 2015.
• Morten Jørgensen- Norwegian trainer, director, and playwright.
• Maiken Jorgensen- Danish handball player and captain of the Danish national team.
• Uffe Holm Jorgensen- Danish comedian, actor, and songwriter.
• Peter Jorgensen- Danish footballer who played as a forward for Danish clubs Brillare/IKV and Vejle BK.
• Jonas Jorgensen- Danish professional Ice Hockey player, currently playing for Rodovre Mighty Bulls of the Metal Ligaen.
• Pauli Jorgensen- Danish kickboxer and former MMA fighter, who is the former GLORY Featherweight Champion and It's Showtime 70MAX World Champion
• Thoger Jorgensen- Danish star and co-star of TV3’s reality series, “Hvem vil være millionær?”
• Mikkel Jorgensen- Danish football player who plays for Danish club Glostrup.
• Peder Jorgensen- Danish zoologist and Professor of Physiology at the University of Copenhagen, who was one of the 15 original members of the Institut de Biologie Physico-Chimique.

Other surnames

JörgensJörgenshausJorgenson