All surnames

Scandinavian surname

Hansen

Son of Hans

Patronymic surname (from a father's name)

Hansen is a Scandinavian patronymic meaning 'son of Hans'. Hans is a short form of Johannes (John). The surname is extremely common in Denmark, Norway, and among Scandinavian emigrants.

It ranks among the top surnames in Denmark. Variants include Hansson in Sweden. The name reflects the enduring popularity of the given name Hans.

More Scandinavian surnames

AndersenNielsenLarsenOlsenErikssonBerg

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Frequently asked questions

What does the surname Hansen mean?+

Son of Hans. From Hans, a short form of Johannes (John), plus "-sen".

Is Hansen a common surname?+

Hansen 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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