Surname Kristensen - Meaning and Origin
all surnames with 'K'
Kristensen: What does the surname Kristensen mean?
The last name Kristensen is derived from the Old Norse name “Kristinn” meaning “Christ-bearer” or “Christ-man.” This name is the combination of the words “Kris” meaning “Christ” and “Tinn” which means “man” or “protector.”
The surname is most commonly seen in Denmark but can also be found in Norway, Sweden, and Finland. It is said that the name originated from Southwest Norway from a village called Kristiansand in the early 1800s when it began to be used as a common surname. It hasn’t been used as an adopted name in Iceland however.
The spelling of the name can vary and alternate depending on the country. It can be either Kristensen or Kristensen.
The surname as a whole usually signifies that an individual has some relation to Christianity or is of a Christian faith. It’s also an interesting surname because it could mean the person’s parents were of different faiths and one decided to take the other’s name.
Kristensen is a popular Danish surname today and can be seen in many other countries, so it’s no surprise that it has become so widespread in different parts of the world.
Order DNA origin analysisKristensen: Where does the name Kristensen come from?
The surname Kristensen is most commonly found in Scandinavian countries such as Denmark, Sweden, and Norway. It is also found in other parts of Europe such as Germany, France, and the Netherlands. According to The Forebears, the Kristensen last name is ranked 41st most common in Denmark with approximately 26,945 people bearing this surname.
The Kristensen name is said to have descended from the personal name Christen. In Danish, the suffix -sen is added to create patronymic surnames. This means that the surname was originally given to the son of Christen.
The name Kristensen is quite popular in Denmark, Norway, and the United States. In fact, the website geneanet.org estimates that there are over 300,000 people who bear this name worldwide, and that 93 percent of them live in one of these three countries.
In the U.S., there are just under 8,000 people who have the last name Kristensen, mostly of Danish or Norwegian origin. The vast majority are based in the Midwest and Pacific Northwest regions, with a few scattered throughout other parts of the country.
Overall, the last name Kristensen is most commonly associated with Scandinavia, in particular Denmark, Norway, and Sweden. Although it is less common in other parts of Europe, the U.S., and the rest of the world, it still has a modest presence in many countries.
Variations of the surname Kristensen
Kristensen is a patronymic surname derived from a given name with a Scandinavian origin. It is also spelled as Kristenson and Christensen. Variants include Kristiansen, which is also spelled as Kristianson and Christianson, and Kristianse, which is spelled as Kristiansen and Christianse. Other variants include Kristiansens, a Norwegian version, and Christensen, a more common form outside of Scandinavia.
A large number of surnames derived from Kristensen are used throughout Scandinavia, including ordinary and double-barrelled variants. In Denmark, other common surnames derived from Kristensen include Kristiansen, Christiansen, and Christensen. Variants found in Sweden and Norway include Kristiansson, Christiansson, and Christensson, the latter two also found in other Nordic nations.
In Denmark, a number of surnames have similar spellings but distinct origins, such as Kræmmergård, Kristainse, Kramp, and Kristiansen. Christoffersen and Christophersen are also found in parts of Scandinavia, while Chr. Kristensen is a double-barrelled variant. In English-speaking contexts, the spelling Kristian is sometimes used as an Anglicized form of the surname.
Beyond the Nordic countries, variants of Kristensen can be found in other parts of Europe, such as the German Cristensen and the Dutch Christiaansen. The surname is particularly common in Canada, where it can be spelled Christie, Kristie, Kristy, Kristi, Kreeson, and Christison. In the United States, variants of the surname can be spelled Christie, Kristie, Kristy, and Kristi.
Famous people with the name Kristensen
- Thor Kristensen: a classical pianist that has been described as "one of Denmark's foremost musicians".
- Lars Kristensen: a former professional footballer that played for clubs including Vejle BK and Balaton FC.
- Morten Kristensen: a professional weightlifter who has won numerous awards over his career, including two gold medals at the 2000 Summer Olympics.
- Leif Kristensen: a Swedish actor, writer, and director known for his films such as Rim of the World and Peppar.
- Henrik Kristensen: a Danish actor who is best known for his roles in films such as Gladiator and The Danish Girl.
- Jens Kristensen: a Danish handball player. He has represented his country at the 2005 and 2009 World Championships.
- Janie Kristensen: a former professional tennis player. She competed in the Women's Tennis Association tour from 1989 until 1991.
- Karsten Kristensen: a Danish film director and screenwriter whose works include The Coast and The Game Master: Spain.
- Morten Kristensen: a Danish journalist and author who has written a number of books about the Danish language and culture.
- Magnus Kristensen: a Danish professional wrestler who has competed in promotions such as NCW, EuroNWA, and IIW.