Surname Kristofferson - Meaning and Origin
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Kristofferson: What does the surname Kristofferson mean?
The last name Kristofferson is of Swedish origin and indicates a person of noble birth or ancestry. It is derived from the personal name Kristoffer, which in turn derives from the Greek word christos meaning “anointed one” and pherion meaning “son.” Thus, a Kristofferson is someone whose ancestral lineage can be traced back to early Christian nobility.
Although it is not common today, the Kristofferson surname is one of the oldest known in Sweden. Records indicate that the family was already present in the Scandinavian country during the Middle Ages. As the family moved around and its members wed and had children, the Kristofferson surname was passed down from generation to generation.
Today, the Kristofferson surname is relatively common throughout the Scandinavian countries, especially in the northern half. It is also found in North America, usually among Scandinavian immigrants. The name is a reminder of a proud family lineage, stretching back through the centuries, and imbued with a Swedish sense of honor and tradition.
Order DNA origin analysisKristofferson: Where does the name Kristofferson come from?
The last name Kristofferson is not particularly common anywhere, but it does appear in a handful of countries including in the U.S. In America, Kristofferson is an uncommon last name with an estimated 1,400 individuals currently bearing the surname.
Manager of the U.S. Census Bureau's Population Division, Thomas Smith, suggests that Krisffersons may have derived their name from Scandinavian origins. According to Smith's research into U.S. surnames, Kristofferson is the 16,202nd most popular surname in the U.S. It is more common in the South and Midwest regions, particularly in Texas.
In Norway, Kristoffersen is one of the most common surnames. According to the Norwegian National Registry (NNR), Kristoffersen is the 10th most popular last name there. Around 30,000 Norwegians carry the Kristoffersen name.
The last name is also common in Finland and Sweden, but to a lesser extent than in Norway. Across all Scandinavian countries, it is estimated that around 55,000 individuals bear the Kristoffersen or Kristofferson last name.
Other countries where the surname is found are Germany, Canada and the United Kingdom. However, it is rarely found in these nations and is only estimated to be in the hundreds of individuals in each.
In short, Kristofferson is an uncommon last name in the U.S. but is particularly common in Scandinavia. It is also found in smaller numbers in other countries such as Germany, Canada and the United Kingdom.
Variations of the surname Kristofferson
Variants, spellings, and surnames of the same origin for the surname Kristofferson include:
Kristofersen - commonly found in Norway
Kristoffersdatter - common in Denmark and Norway
Christoffersen - primarily in Denmark and Norway
Kristofersson - primarily in Sweden
Kristoffson - primarily in Norway
Kristeuer - primarily in Estonia
Kristolov - primarily in Russia
Kristolv - primarily in Latvia
Kristof - a shortened version of the name, primarily used in Northern Europe
Christoffers - primarily in Norway and Denmark, a variation on the original name
Kristsen - primarily in Sweden
Christofsen - a variation found primarily in Norway and Denmark
Kristiansen - primarily in Norway
Christiansen - primarily in Denmark
Kristersen - primarily in Denmark
Kristiansson - primarily in Sweden
Christophersen - primarily in Norway
Kristoff - a shortened version of the name, primarily used in Northern Europe
Kristoffersen - alternate spelling of Kristofferson
Krislyn - a modern spelling of the name, originating from the U.S.
Kristofersdatter - primarily in Norway and Denmark
Krikstein - primarily in Norway
Krikstain - primarily in Russia
Kristobel - a more modern spelling and pronunciation of the name originating from the U.S.
Kristfor - an alternate spelling, primarily found in the U.S.
Kristobal - a Spanish variation of the name
Krishtof - a Russia variation of the name
Cristoferson - a variant of the name
Krisfox - a modern variation of the name
Krystof - a Polish variation of the name
Krystufal - a Polish transcription of the name
Krystoff - an alternate spelling, primarily found in the U.S.
Krustof - a modernized spelling, originating from the U.S.
Famous people with the name Kristofferson
- Kris Kristofferson: This Grammy-winning singer and songwriter is an American icon in the music industry. He is best known for penning such classics as Me and Bobby McGee, Sunday Morning Coming Down, and Help Me Make it Through the Night.
- Molly Krisofferson: Molly Kristofferson is Kris Kristofferson’s daughter. She is an actress and producer, having appeared on a number of television shows and movies, including The Runaways and CSI: Miami.
- Michael Kristofferson: Michael Kristofferson is another of Kris Kristofferson’s sons. He has also worked in the entertainment industry for many years, notably appearing in the Lionsgate feature film, The Way of the Gun.
- Blake Kristofferson: Blake Kristofferson is the youngest of Kris Kristofferson’s children. He is a musician, having released his debut EP, Night Music in 2018.
- Nicole Kidman-Kristofferson: Nicole Kidman-Kristofferson is Kris Kristofferson’s housewife. She is an Academy Award-winning actress who has starred in a variety of films, most notably Moulin Rouge!, The Hours, and The Others.
- Tracey Kristofferson: Tracey Kristofferson is yet another of Kris Kristofferson’s children. She is a musician who has released a number of albums and worked in various music-related fields.
- Dusty Kristofferson: Dusty Kristofferson is another of Kris Kristofferson’s sons. He is a musician, having collaborated with his father and appearing on the soundtrack of the critically-acclaimed film, The Big Lebowski.