Surname Jorgenson - Meaning and Origin

iGENEA DNA Test Unveils My Unanticipated Viking Roots and Royal Connection: A Jorgenson Tale

Ever thought a DNA test could bring an unexpected plot twist in your knowledge of your own surname? My iGENEA DNA test did just that – it revealed my Viking roots and a strong semblance to Scandinavian royalty, shedding light on the forgotten history of my family name, Jorgenson.

Y. Jorgenson

Jorgenson: What does the surname Jorgenson mean?

The surname Jorgenson is of Scandinavian origin, specifically from Denmark and Norway. The name is a patronymic name, a type of surname that is formed by adding a suffix to the father's name. In the case of Jorgenson, it means "son of Jorgen". Jorgen is a Danish and Norwegian form of the name George, which is of Greek origin meaning "farmer" or "earthworker". Therefore, if interpreted through its components, Jorgenson could be understood as "son of the farmer” or "son of the earthworker". This form of surname was common in Scandinavian countries, and it was used to show immediate lineage. It is important to note, however, that contemporary bearers of the surname may not necessarily have a father named Jorgen as the names have passed down through generations.

Jorgenson: Where does the name Jorgenson come from?

The last name Jorgenson originates from Scandinavian countries, principally Denmark and Norway. It is a patronymic name, derived from the personal name Jorgen, a Danish form of the name George. The suffix "son" means "son of," thus Jorgenson translates to "son of Jorgen". In old Norse, the name Jorgen signifies "earth-worker" hinting at an agrarian heritage. This name could have potentially been passed down generations from a notable individual named Jorgen who distinguished himself with this occupation.

Jorgenson has spread across the globe due to immigration and today is found in many countries, notably in the United States, Canada, and Australia. Within the United States, it is most common in the states of Minnesota, Utah, and Iowa. These regions experienced significant Scandinavian immigration in the 19th and 20th centuries. Notably, the name's prevalence tends to decrease in more cosmopolitan areas, presumably due to a greater diversity of surnames. Despite its dispersion, the last name Jorgenson still retains its strongest presence in Denmark and Norway.

Variations of the surname Jorgenson

The surname Jorgenson is Scandinavian in origin, specifically deriving from the Danish and Norwegian patronymic system, meaning "son of Jorgen" (the equivalent to George in English). It has several variants and similar spellings often interchangeably used, and common among various countries in Europe due to patterns of immigration and regional dialects.

Among the Scandinavian inspired options are Jorgensen, Jørgensen, Jørgenson, Jorgeson, and Jorgensson. Adjusted versions of these names that have been Anglicized often eliminate the accents or swap additional vowels for “e” after the letter “o”, such as Johansen, Jorganson, Jorganson, and Jorginson.

Spellings closer to the German version of the name (Georg) result in surnames like Georgenson, Georgeson, or Georgensen. There are also hybrid forms such as Jurgenson or Jurgensen.

Each of these variants share the same patronymic root, essentially linking them to a common origin. This highlights the extensive and diverse nature of surname variants, spread across Europe due to the blend of languages, cultures, and historical migration patterns.

Famous people with the name Jorgenson

• Terry Jorgenson: American basketball player
• Juli Jorgensen: American model
• Virgil Jorgenson: British actor and musician
• Duncan Jorgensen: American wrestler
• Brad Jorgenson: Canadian ice hockey player
• Richard Jorgensen: American professor and author
• Abigail Jorgenson: American television actress
• Richard Jorgensen: American recording engineer
• Wallace Jorgenson: American architect
• Anna Jorgenson: Norwegian singer and songwriter

Other surnames

JörgensJorgensenJörgensenJörgenshaus