Surname Nikolaisen - Meaning and Origin
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Nikolaisen: What does the surname Nikolaisen mean?
The last name Nikolaisen is an occupational surname of Scandinavian origin, derived from the Norwegian masculine given name Nikola (= Nicholas) and the suffix –sen meaning “son of”. This name is most common in Norway, although it is used by families in Denmark, Sweden and elsewhere.
In earlier times, a “son of Nikolai” historically referred to a clergyman, particularly in areas that were largely Lutheran. The patron of this venerated name, St. Nicholas, was a Christian bishop of the 4th century who became greatly admired and regarded as the patron saint of many groups, most notably sailors, merchants, and children.
The most widely known form of the name today is Nikolajsen, derived from Nicholas. It is often spelled with an “K” or “C”, corresponding to the Scandinavian countries’ spelling conventions. It is still found often in Scandinavian countries such as Norway, Sweden, and Denmark where it is a popular family name.
Beyond Scandinavia, the name is also found in Germany, The Netherlands, and the British Isles. Nikolajsen can also be found in the United States, England, and Canada, where it is likely that it is a family name of emigrants who left Europe during the 19th and 20th centuries.
Thus, the Nikolaisen surname carries not only a historical reference to the patron saint, but also signifies a heritage of hard-working, immigration-minded individuals who had the determination and courage to leave their homeland for a better life.
Order DNA origin analysisNikolaisen: Where does the name Nikolaisen come from?
The last name Nikolaisen is most commonly found in Norway today. With an estimated 2,367 people having the last name, Nikolaisen is the 93rd most common last name in Norway.
There are also a few people with the last name Nikolaisen in Sweden, Denmark, and Iceland. It is most likely that the people with the last name Nikolaisen in these countries are migrants from Norway.
The last name Nikolaisen is thought to have become established during the late Middle Ages in Norway's Viking Age. It is assumed it derived from the Old Norse first name Nikolaus, which consisted of the elements nik, which means "victory," and laukr, which means "people."
Although the last name Nikolaisen is common in Norway, it is less common in other parts of the world. In the United States, there are only 128 people with the last name Nikolaisen, making it the 22,259th most common surname there.
The last name Nikolaisen has a long history as a Norwegian name, and it is still common in Norway today. It represents Norway's long Viking heritage and is likely to remain a part of Norway's family names for generations to come.
Variations of the surname Nikolaisen
The surname Nikolaisen can have various spellings, variants, and surnames of the same origin. The most common spelling is ‘Nikolaisen’, but the surname can also be written as ‘Nikolasson’ or ‘Nikolai’. It is also seen in alternate spellings such as ‘Nikolaisson’, ‘Nikolaissen’ or ‘Nikolaisen’, as well as in other Norwegian spellings such as ‘Nikolassen’, ‘Nikolasson’ and ‘Nikolay’.
There are also surnames of similar origin, such as ‘Nicolai’ (other spellings include ‘Nykolae’ and ‘Nicolay’), ‘Nygaard’, ‘Nygård’, ‘Nygaard’, or ‘Nygaardsen’. ‘Nikolajsen’ and ‘Nikolay’ are two other alternate spellings of the Nikolaisen surname, as is ‘Nicolsen’, ‘Nicol’, ‘Nielsen’, or ‘Niels’.
The surname ‘Nikolaisen’ likely originated from the Old Norse personal name ‘Nikolás’, which means ‘winner of the people’. ‘Niklas’ or ‘Nicolai’ could also be derived from this personal name, originating from the name ‘Nicholas’, which means ‘victory of the people’ in Greek.
In terms of locations, the Nikolaisen surname is most commonly found in Norway, though it has spread to many other regions, mostly in Northern Europe. It is not a highly frequent surname, however, and may also be found in Sweden, Finland, Denmark, or Iceland.
Famous people with the name Nikolaisen
- Bernhard Nikolaisen: a Norwegian singer, songwriter and musician from the band 120 Days
- Erik Nikolaisen: a Norwegian guitarist and singer in the rock band Serena-Maneesh
- Hilda Nikolaisen: a Norwegian artist and activist who focuses on the promotion of diversity and human rights
- Ida Nikolaisen: a Norwegian actor best known for her roles in 'Uno' (2010) and 'The Lion Woman' (2016)
- Kristian Nikolaisen: a Norwegian professional footballer who plays for Viking FK
- Odd Martin Nikolaisen: a Norwegian singer, songwriter and musician
- Pal Nikolaisen: a Norwegian industrial designer who focuses on creating sustainable products
- Stig Nikolaisen: a Norwegian actor best known for his roles in the movies 'The New Country' and 'Farewell Afghanistan'
- Trond Nikolaisen: a Norwegian painter who has exhibited his work in numerous galleries and museums
- Siri Nikolaisen: a Norwegian fashion designer and co-founder of the clothing company Soulland