Knudsen
A Danish and North German patronymic surname meaning “son of Knud” (the Danish form of Canute).
The #3,898 most common surname in the United States (2010 Census) — about 1 in every 33,913 Americans shares it.
Etymology
Knudsen is a patronymic surname formed from the personal name Knud, the Danish equivalent of Knut or Canute, plus the suffix -sen meaning “son of.” In literal terms, it means “son of Knud.” The given name Knud ultimately goes back to the old Norse/Scandinavian name Knútr, usually explained as meaning “knot.”
History
The surname is especially common in Denmark and also appears in northern German coastal areas, where Danish-style patronymics were widespread. Nineteenth-century onomastic writers noted it among the very common Scandinavian surnames and also observed related forms in Oldenburg and East Frisia. In English-speaking countries it is often found in immigrant families and is usually preserved in the original Danish spelling.
Origin
Regions
Variant spellings
Fun fact
Older writers sometimes linked the personal name Knud with Canute, the famous medieval Danish king, which helped keep the name familiar across Scandinavia.
From the historical record
“Notley. A loc. n., Ess. Notson. Ft. Knudsen : a p.n. See Nott and Nute Nott. Fr. Notte; a p.n. See Node”
— British Family Names: their origin and meaning (2nd ed.)Notable people named Knudsen
- Sidse Babett Knudsen (b. 1968)
Sourced from Wikidata; linked to their Wikipedia page.