All surnames

Scandinavian surname

Nielsen

Son of Niels

Patronymic surname (from a father's name)

Nielsen is a Danish and Norwegian patronymic meaning 'son of Niels'. Niels is a Scandinavian form of Nicholas. The surname is one of the most common in Denmark.

It has been carried by many emigrants. Variants include Nilsen in Norway. The name reflects the popularity of the given name Niels.

More Scandinavian surnames

AndersenHansenLarsenOlsenErikssonBerg

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Frequently asked questions

What does the surname Nielsen mean?+

Son of Niels. From Niels, the Danish form of Nicholas, plus "-sen".

Is Nielsen a common surname?+

Nielsen 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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