Surname Ernstsen - Meaning and Origin
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Ernstsen: What does the surname Ernstsen mean?
The last name Ernstsen is of German origin and is an occupational surname most likely referring to the profession of an iron-smith. It is derived from the Germanic words "ernst" meaning "serious" and "sen" meaning "son". This suggests that the original bearer of the surname was the son of a man who was known by the profession of an iron-smith.
The word Erns identified a craftsman who was involved in forging and hammering out iron and steel tools and implements. The suffix -sen usually indicates a patronymic name and suggests that the original bearer’s father was known to by the profession of an iron-smith.
Ernstsen is a fairly uncommon surname and is found mainly in Norway, Germany, and other areas formerly or presently under German influence. It is also found in most parts of Scandinavia due to the high number of people who emigrated from Germany to those areas in the 19th century. The number of people with the surname Ernstsen is much smaller compared to its variants such as Ernest and Ernsen.
It is believed that the surname is derived from a personal name which was common to many areas of Germany before the 19th century. The popularity of the name may be due to its association with an important trade at the time. Despite the fact that the profession has largely died out, the surname continues to remain in use.
Order DNA origin analysisErnstsen: Where does the name Ernstsen come from?
The Ernstsen surname originates from northern Germany and Denmark. Today, the name is still most common in this region and can be found throughout northern Europe. In Denmark, it is the 30th most common surname, with over 11,000 people registered. It is also popular in Norway and Finland.
In Germany, the name is the 816th most popular surname, while it is the 1827th most common surname in the United States. In America, the name is concentrated mainly in the Midwest, with some family members spreading out to other parts of the country over the years. China also has a few families with the name, likely due to Scandinavian immigrants over the years.
The spelling can also be seen in various forms such as Ernestein, Ernsetin and Ernstein, but aside from a few alterations, the name remains much the same. Although it is not as widespread as it once was, the Ernstsen surname is still a common presence throughout northern Europe today.
Variations of the surname Ernstsen
Ernstsen is a patronymic surname, which is derived from the personal name Ernst. It is a German and Scandinavian language surname, which derived from the word 'Ernst', meaning 'sincere' or 'serious'. Ernstsen is found mainly in Scandinavia, especially in Norway, and in some parts of Germany. The variants, spellings and surnames of the same origin for the surname Ernstsen can include Ernstsson, Ernstzen, Erntzen, Erentzen, Ehrnst, Ernsen, Earnest, Ernest, Ernst, Ernstesen, Ernsten, Ernstine, Erntz, Erntze and Ernstes. In Norway, the variant spelling of Ernstsen is typically used, while in Germany the variant spellings of Ernstzen or Erentzen is more common.
The patronymic surnames, which are derived from the same personal name, are common among Icelandic families. It is believed that the name may have been originally derived as a nickname for someone who was serious or sincere. The use of patronymic surnames, as opposed to inherited surnames, is common in Scandinavia and Iceland, and this may explain why so many variants of the name exist.
In some cases, the surname may also be linked to an Old Norse word 'black', which is the meaning the name may have in Germanic countries.
Finally, it is important to note that a hyphenated version of the surname may exist in some cases, typically seen as 'Ernst-sen' or 'Ernst-son', and this form may be used in some cases to denote which branch of the family the individual belongs to.
Famous people with the name Ernstsen
- Göran Ernstsen: Swedish football player who played for the Swedish national team between 1966 and 1972.
- Kim Ernstsen: Dutch professional footballer from the 1980s and 1990s.
- Laurits Ernstsen: Danish painter and graphic artist from the 19th century.
- Just Ernstsen: Norwegian actor and theatre director from the mid-1980s who appeared in numerous productions at the National Theatre in Norway.
- Edvard Ernstsen: Norwegian cross-country skier who won a bronze medal at the 1952 Winter Olympics in Oslo.
- Bengt Ernstsen: Swedish footballer who played for Hammarby IF in the 1950s and 60s.
- Carsten Ernstsen: Danish composer from the late 18th and early 19th centuries.
- Denise Ernstsen: South African chess player and trainer.
- Anne Marie Ernstsen: Danish photographer and art historian.
- Leila Ernstsen: Norwegian visual artist from the late 20th century who focused on installation and sculpture.