Surname Mussen - Meaning and Origin
all surnames with 'M'
Mussen: What does the surname Mussen mean?
The surname Mussen is of English origin but its roots have been traced back to ancient French and Germanic beginnings. Its exact meaning is not completely clear due to massive changes in language over the centuries, but it is believed to potentially derive from the Middle English word "musse" which translates to "sparrow" or possibly from the German "müssen" meaning "must". However, such interpretations are considered speculative at best. As a surname, Mussen could possibly indicate an ancestor who identified with the characteristics of a sparrow or a historic family profession relating to sparrows. It's important to note that last names were traditionally derived from professions, geographical locations, or descriptive nicknames. Therefore, without concrete historical documentation, it becomes challenging to determine the definitive meaning of last names.
Order DNA origin analysisMussen: Where does the name Mussen come from?
The last name Mussen is most common in Germany and the Netherlands. Within Germany, it is most common in the northern and western regions and within the Netherlands it is most common in North and South Holland. The name can also be found in other parts of western Europe, particularly Spain, France, Belgium, Austria, Switzerland, and Denmark.
The history of the name Mussen is a bit unknown but it is thought to be a variation of the German word mussen, which means "must". It is possible that it was used as a personal name for someone who "must" carry out certain duties or it could be a patronymic surname based on a personal name referring to a son of Moses.
In current times, the last name Mussen is spread across many western European countries. This is likely due to peak migration during World War II and increased travel and intermarriage. As of 2019, Mussen is the 3,161st most common surname in Germany and the 551st most common surname in the Netherlands.
Variations of the surname Mussen
The surname Mussen has several variants, spellings, and surnames of the same origin. Some variants of this surname include Musson, Mussin, Musser, Mussmann, and Musso.
Musson is the most commonly found variant of this surname. It was most popularly found in Scotland and Ireland, and is derived from the personal name Mose or Moses, an ancient Biblical name. It can also be derived from the Norse word mus, meaning ‘mouse’, indicating a nickname for someone who resembled or acted like a mouse.
Mussin is another variant of this surname. It is found mainly in Germany and the Netherlands and is derived from the personal name Muysin, which is a combination of the elements ‘mud or muet’ meaning ‘muddy’, and ‘hein’ meaning ‘fortunate’.
Musser is the German variant of this surname and is derived from the term ‘modiac’, meaning ‘rascal’. It is believed that this surname originated in the Middle Ages, indicating a nickname given to a mischievous person.
Mussmann is the Dutch variant of this surname, and is derived from the name Muysma, a combination of the words ‘mud’ or ‘muet’ meaning ‘muddy’ and ‘man’ meaning ‘man’. It can also be derived from the Old German word ‘mus’ meaning ‘mouse’, indicating a nickname for someone who was small or frail.
Finally, Musso is the Italian variant of the surname Mussen. It is derived from the personal name Musso, which is derived from the Latin word ‘mus’ meaning ‘mouse’ and suggesting a nickname for someone who was small or timid.
Famous people with the name Mussen
- Alexander Mussen: Dutch actor
- Arthur Mussen: British interwar poet
- William Mussen: Canadian athlete and sports broadcaster
- Abner Mussen: American college baseball and basketball coach
- Berth Mussen: Ukrainian-born Spanish artist
- Edward Mussen: English architect
- Sven Mussen: German astrophysicist
- Jacob Mussen: Swiss organist and composer
- Yolan Mussen: Dutch marathon runner
- Anna Mussen: Belgian water polo player