Surname Jensen - Meaning and Origin

Unearthing Roots and Emotions through iGENEA: The Jensen Journey

Tracing ancestry through iGENEA's DNA test, and discovering the rich Scandinavian heritage, brought a deep emotional connection to the lineage and a profound respect for the family's survival and adaptability. An unexpected journey that turned the surname Jensen into a tale of ages.

B. Jensen

Jensen: What does the surname Jensen mean?

The surname Jensen is a patronymic last name of Danish and Norwegian origin. The name means "son of Jens," or "Jens's son." Jens is a common first name in Denmark and is the Danish variation of the name 'John'. The '-sen' suffix following the name Jens signifies 'son', indicating lineage. Names in this format were traditionally used to show immediate parentage in Scandinavia. Although traditionally Jensen would have been used to directly denote a son’s relationship to his father, it has evolved over time into a common family name passed down generations. Today, it is one of the most common surnames in Denmark.

Jensen: Where does the name Jensen come from?

The surname Jensen is of Scandinavian origin and primarily used in Denmark. It is derived from the patronymic form of the given name 'Jens', which is the Danish equivalent of John, meaning "God is gracious." It bears the suffix '-sen', which means 'son of', thus Jensen translates to 'Son of Jens'.

Being one of the most common surnames in Denmark, it is deeply rooted in Danish history and culture. Besides Denmark, the name is common in other Scandinavian countries, as well as places with significant Scandinavian diaspora. Countries such as the United States, Canada, and Australia have a considerable number of Jensen bearers, primarily due to the wave of Scandinavian immigration in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Furthermore, these countries continue to see the name's prevalence because of ongoing immigration and the name being passed down through generations.

Variations of the surname Jensen

The surname Jensen is of Scandinavian origin, primarily Denmark. It's a patronymic name meaning "son of Jens" with Jens being a common Danish form of John. As such, patronymic surnames change with each generation.

The name Jensen could be spelt in various ways due to differences in pronunciation, translation, or simply error. Some examples include Jenssen, Jensson, and Jenson. Names such as Johnson or Johnsen, prevalent in regions such as Norway, also share the same origin, referring to "son of John."

Variations of the name might occur within different languages as well - for instance, Johansen or Johansson in Sweden, or Janssen or Jansen in the Netherlands and Germany, all originating from the name John.

In Iceland, the practice of using patronymic or matronymic surnames remains common. For instance, if Jens had a son named Peter and a daughter named Anna, they would be known as Peter Jensen and Anna Jensdóttir respectively.

Due to the nature of these surnames being dependent on the father's (or mother's) first name, Jensen's "variants" are essentially infinite, as long as the father's first name is Jens or variants of it.

Famous people with the name Jensen

• Alex Jensen: Professional Basketball Player in the NBA for Utah Jazz
• Christoffer Jensen: Chief Financial Officer for Alphabet Inc.
• Craig T. Nelson: Actor best known for his roles as Coach Hayden Fox from “Coach” and Bob Parr from “The Incredibles”
• D.J. Jensen: Singer and songwriter
• Daryl Jensen: Actor and Producer, known for his work on “Dark Angel”
• Donny Osmond: Singer, Actor and Radio Host
• Eric Jensen: Actor and Writer, best known for “Ishtar”
• Florence Jensen: Former CEO and currently Chairman of the Board of Directors for Biogen Inc.
• Harry Jensen: Former Team-To-Win Driver in NASCAR
• Ingmar Bergman: Renowned Swedish Filmmaker
• Jack Jensen: Former Major League Baseball Player and National Baseball Hall of Fame Member
• James Jensen: President of the Royal Bank of Canada
• Jesse McCartney: Singer-Songwriter, Actor and Record Producer
• Julianne Jensen: Olympic Gold Medal Gymnast
• Kjersti Jensen: Professional Soccer Player
• Louise Jensen: Danish Author
• Mark Jensen: News Anchor for NBC
• Nicolette Jensen: Professional Soccer Player
• Pete Jensen: Major League Baseball Player
• Randy Jensen: Professional Snowboarder

Other surnames

Jensens