Surname Paulsen - Meaning and Origin

Connecting with my Roots - The iGENEA DNA Test and my family name, Paulsen: An Intimate Reflection on Identity

Receiving my iGENEA DNA test results was a profound and transformative moment in my life. The information pointed not only towards my ethnic origins in Northern Germany but also shed light on my family's heritage, specifically tied to the surname Paulsen. The insights from the results have significantly reshaped my sense of identity, inducing a deep connection with my lineage and a renewed appreciation for my family's legacy.

H. Paulsen

Paulsen: What does the surname Paulsen mean?

The surname Paulsen is of Scandinavian origin. It is a patronymic name meaning 'son of Paul'. The suffix 'sen' or 'son' is commonly added to the root name, in this case, 'Paul', indicating lineage. The name Paul, in turn, is believed to have derived from the Latin name 'Paulus', which means 'small' or 'humble'. This naming tradition was prevalent in Scandinavian countries and was used to denote one's male lineage. Today, it is mainly used as a family name in countries like Denmark, Norway, and Germany. Over time, the use of the name has spread across various parts of the globe due to migration and intercultural exchanges. The surname is shared by several notable individuals, such as Gary Paulsen, a renowned American writer of young adult literature.

Paulsen: Where does the name Paulsen come from?

Paulsen is a common surname throughout Europe, particularly in Scandinavia. In Denmark it is one of the fifty most common names. Other countries in which Paulsen is common include Norway, Germany, Finland, and Sweden. The name is also found in Canada and the United States, although to a lesser degree than in Europe.

The origin of the name is likely Germanic in origin and means "son of Paul or son of little Paul". The popularity of Paul as a given name in the early Middle Ages would have resulted in the corresponding surname being adopted.

In the United States, the Paulsen surname is most common in Wisconsin, Minnesota, Iowa, and South Dakota according to Census data. This reflects the area's strong ties to Scandinavia, as large numbers of immigrants from that region began to flock to the Great Plains in the 19th century in search of land and a better life.

Today, the Paulsen name can be found among individuals of diverse ethnic backgrounds. Although the name is most commonly linked to its Scandinavian heritage, it is also found among individuals of Dutch, German, Hungarian, and Italian descent. As increasingly diverse populations settle in areas of historic immigration from Scandinavia, the Paulsen name is likely to become even more widespread in the future.

Variations of the surname Paulsen

The variants, spellings, and surnames of the same origin for the surname Paulsen are numerous, though all of them stem from the same root. One spelling is Paulson, an especially common alternative throughout America. Likely because of its Germanic roots, many other Germanic spellings exist, such as Pauels, Pauls, Pahl, Paull, Paulus, Baltz, and Pauly, all of which are still seen in various countries today.

In Scandinavia, two variants of Paulsen are especially popular: Pålsson and Pålsen. Most commonly seen in Denmark and Sweden, Pålsson is the same as Paulsen; the å in Scandinavian alphabets is the same as the o in Paulson or Paull. Similarly, Pålsen is Paulsen with the å substituted for the a. Both of these variants are quite common in Denmark and Sweden today.

In other countries, different spellings have come up, like the Polzin variant in Poland and German-speaking nations. Polzin is an anglicized version of the German name Paulsdorff, which can trace its roots back to the Paulsen surname.

Still other variants have made their way to countries like the UK, such as Pallet, Poulsten, and Poulston. All of these can be traced back to the same origin as Paulsen. Finally, other spellings such as Pawlson, Pollsen, Pawlsen, Polsen, and even Pauline have all been used in various countries over the years.

Famous people with the name Paulsen

• Alan Paulsen: American actor known for appearing in television shows, including Seinfeld, Will & Grace, and The Office.
• Bob Paulsen: American voice actor best known for voicing many characters in cartoons, video games, and other media.
• Cheryl Paulsen: American actor that has appeared in many television shows, films, and commercials.
• Dave Paulsen: American college basketball coach who is currently the head coach for the George Mason Patriots men's basketball team.
• Doug Paulsen: American film editor best known for his work on The Lord of the Rings and Star Wars movies.
• Gary Paulsen: American writer of young adult literature best known for his award-winning book Hatchet.
• Karl Paulsen: German actor and star of the film The Counterfeit Traitor.
• Kris Paulsen: American comedian who has appeared in a number of comedy shows, including Saturday Night Live.
• Mark Paulsen: American actor known for the roles he had in films such as The NeverEnding Story and RoboCop 2.
• Robert Paulsen: American bodybuilder and powerlifter known for winning the IFBB Mr. America title.

Other surnames

PaulsPaulselPaulsellPaulsmeierPaulsmeyerPaulsohnPaulsonPaulssenPaulsson