Surname Stephansen - Meaning and Origin
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Stephansen: What does the surname Stephansen mean?
The last name 'Stephansen' is of Scandinavian origin, specifically from Denmark and Norway. The name is a patronymic surname, that is, based on a male ancestor or the father's first name. 'Stephansen' directly translates to "son of Stephen". The name 'Stephen' is derived from the Greek name 'Stephanos', meaning 'crown' or 'garland'. Thus, 'Stephansen' essentially signifies 'son of the crowned one' or 'son of the garlanded one', denoting prestige and honour. Like many patronymic surnames, it would have been used to distinguish between different individuals with the same first name in a community, by identifying their paternal lineage.
Order DNA origin analysisStephansen: Where does the name Stephansen come from?
The last name Stephansen is most commonly found in Scandinavia, especially in Denmark, where it is the 44th most common surname. It is also found in Norway and Sweden, but to a lesser degree. Outside of Scandinavia, it is much rarer but can still be found in other parts of Europe, Canada, the United States, Australia, and New Zealand.
In the United States, there were around 1,000 individuals with the Stephansen surname in the last official US Census of 2010. In Canada, the same number is around 730, while in Australia there are roughly 300-400 individuals with the Stephansen name. In the UK, the name is much rarer, with only around 120 individuals.
As with any family name, the Stephansen last name can trace its origin back to a single individual who established the line centuries ago. While the true origin of the name may not be known, it is believed to have originated from the Nordic language and could mean 'son of Stephen'.
It is often interesting to explore the history of a last name, and the Stephansen surname is no exception. It has considerable historical significance and has likely been in existence for centuries, with descendants all over the world.
Variations of the surname Stephansen
The surname Stephansen is a patronymic surname derived from the given name Stephen. Spelling variants of Stephansen include: Stepansen, Stefansen, Steffansen, Steffanson, and Stephenson.
The patronymic element -sen or -son is derived from the Germanic language element of ‘son’, and is a common way to create surnames from a father’s given name. As this surname was not inherited from generation to generation, as most Irish and Scots surnames tend to be, it is found throughout Northern Europe, particularly Scandinavia and the Netherlands, and in the Creole language of Suriname, the spelling variant Stephanson is found.
The surname Stephansen is closely related to several surnames derived from the same given name. These include Stephens, which is commonly found in England and Wales, as well as Stephan, Stephans, Steffen, Steffes, Steffens, and Steffanson.
In the United States, the surname Stephansen may have taken on other spelling variants, such as Stephensen and Stephenson, after immigration. Stephansen is also found as a Dutch Jewish name.
Surnames derived from the given name Stephen can be of any national origin. Although of Germanic roots, surnames derived from the given name Stephen have spread throughout different countries and cultures, and as such, Stephansens may have lived in any area of Europe, before or during immigration to the United States.
Famous people with the name Stephansen
- Jørn Lier Horst: He is a decorated Norwegian author who writes crime fiction, young adult novels, and children's books.
- Oda Stephansen: She is a well-known artist from Norway, known for her abstract and expressionist landscape paintings.
- Trym Torson: He is a professional rally driver from Norway who competes in the World Rally Championship.
- Kjetil Stephansen: He is a professional soccer player from Norway who currently plays for Rosenborg.
- Tor Ole Skullerud: He is a Norwegian ice hockey coach and former player who is currently the head coach of the Brynäs IF hockey team.
- Henrik Odegaard Stephansen: He is a Norwegian professional alpine ski racer who currently competes in the World Cup.
- Torstein Stephansen: He is a Norwegian rower who won a silver medal in the single sculls at the 1992 Olympics.
- Stein Inge Stephansen: He is a Norwegian Olympic athlete who competed in the javelin throw and did well.
- Unni Sverdrup Stephansen: She is a Norwegian artist and collage painter.
- Trond Stephansen: He is a Norwegian chef and restaurateur. He is the owner and head chef of the three Michelin-starred Maaemo restaurant in Oslo.