Hansen
A classic Scandinavian patronymic meaning “son of Hans.”
The #204 most common surname in the United States (2010 Census) — about 1 in every 2,238 Americans shares it.
Etymology
Hansen is a patronymic surname built from the given name Hans plus the Scandinavian/Low German patronymic ending -en. Hans is a short form of Johannes, ultimately from Hebrew Yochanan, meaning “God is gracious.” So the surname originally meant “Hans’s son.”
History
The name is especially common in Denmark and Norway and also appears in northern Germany, where patronymic -sen surnames are widespread. Historical surname writers repeatedly list Hansen among the most frequent Danish-style family names, alongside Jensen, Nielsen, and Petersen. In English-speaking countries it often reflects immigration from Scandinavia or northern Germany, though spellings like Hanson are also related.
Origin
Regions
Variant spellings
Fun fact
In older Scandinavian naming practice, surnames like Hansen were not fixed family names at first; they began as true patronymics identifying a man as Hans’s son.
From the historical record
“Iansom. A.S. Anselm (?) (god’s helm); Fr. Anceaume; p.n. Ianson. D. Hansen ; A. Hanson ; p.n. (Johnson) Ianwell. A loc. n., Middlx. Or Andeville, Norm.”
— British Family Names: their origin and meaning (2nd ed.)