All surnames

Scandinavian surname

Andersen

Son of Anders

Patronymic surname (from a father's name)

Andersen is a Scandinavian patronymic meaning 'son of Anders'. Anders is the Scandinavian form of Andrew. The surname is extremely common in Denmark and Norway and among Scandinavian emigrants.

It follows the standard Scandinavian pattern of adding '-sen' to the father’s given name. Variants include Anderson in English-speaking contexts. The name reflects the popularity of the given name Anders.

More Scandinavian surnames

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Frequently asked questions

What does the surname Andersen mean?+

Son of Anders. From Anders, the Scandinavian form of Andrew, plus "-sen".

Is Andersen a common surname?+

Andersen is a Scandinavian-origin surname. Popularity varies widely by country and region, and the same surname can be common in one place and rare in another.

Can two families with the same surname be unrelated?+

Yes. Surnames, especially occupational and descriptive ones like this, were often adopted independently by many unrelated families who happened to share a trade, appearance, or location.

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