Denmark is a charming nation that maintains its unique culture, language, and ideas distinct from the larger countries surrounding it. Danish culture is warm and cosmopolitan, perfectly balancing Denmark’s storied history and glorious future. Here, you’ll find our list of the most common Dutch last names in use and hand-picked surnames organized by theme.
What are Danish Last Names?
Danish last names reflect the local cultures and communities that make up the fabric of Denmark. A few themes are commonly found in Danish surnames: patronymic last names are the most common in use and reflect characteristics that were seen as important for Danish ancestors, and themes revolving around nature and animals are also quite popular. Danish surnames are unique because they have a notable Danish flair in their spelling and uses.
Danish last names were originally patronymic, but in 1828, a law enforced fixed last names. Many people kept their patronymic surname and passed it down generations, while others chose surnames based on their personalities, hometowns, and faith. Some of Denmark’s most popular last names remain patronymic, including surnames like Jensen, which means ‘son of Jens,’ a Danish form of John, and Pederson, which means ‘son of Peder,’ a form of Peter. We’ve researched Danish last names and curated a list of the most popular ones and themed lists of Danish surnames.
Top 100 Danish Last Names
Our list of the most common Danish last names is packed with charm. Many Danish last names have patronymic origins, indicating descent from a particular male ancestor, with the suffix “-sen” for sons and “-datter” for daughters.
- Nielsen – Son of Niels
- Jensen – Son of Jens
- Hansen – Son of Hans
- Andersen – Son of Anders
- Pedersen – Son of Peder
- Christensen – Son of Christen
- Larsen – Son of Lars
- Sørensen – Son of Søren
- Rasmussen – Son of Rasmus
- Jørgensen – Son of Jørgen
- Petersen – Son of Peter
- Madsen – Son of Mads
- Kristensen – Son of Kristen
- Olsen – Son of Ol/Ole
- Thomsen – Son of Thom, Thomas
- Christiansen – Son of Christian
- Poulsen – Son of Poul
- Johansen – Son of Johan
- Møller – Miller
- Mortensen – Son of Morten
- Knudsen – Son of Knud
- Sorensen – Son of Søren
- Jorgensen – Son of Jørgen
- Peterson – Son of Peter
- Thomas – Son of Thomas
- Mills – Miller
- Jakobsen – Son of Jakob
- Jacobsen – Son of Jacob
- Olesen – Son of Ole
- Mikkelsen – Son of Mikkel
- Frederiksen – Son of Frederik
- Laursen – Son of Laur
- Henriksen – Son of Henrik
- Lund – Grove or forest
- Schmidt – Smith, metal worker
- Eriksen – Son of Erik
- Holm – Islet
- Kristiansen – Son of Kristian
- Clausen – Son of Claus
- Simonsen – Son of Simon
- Svendsen – Son of Svend
- Andreasen – Son of Andreas
- Iversen – Son of Iver
- Jeppesen – Son of Jeppe
- Østergaard – Eastern farm
- Mogensen – Son of Mogens
- Lauridsen – Son of Laurids
- Nissen – Elf or gnome
- Jespersen – Son of Jesper
- Jepsen – Son of Jeppe
- Frandsen – Son of Frands
- Vestergaard – Western farm
- Kjær – Marsh, fen
- Nørgaard – Northern farm
- Jessen – Son of Jess
- Carlsen – Son of Carl
- Søndergaard – Southern farm
- Dahl – Valley
- Skov – Forest
- Bertelsen – Son of Bertel
- Christoffersen – Son of Christoffer
- Bruun – Brown
- Lassen – Son of Las/Lars
- Gregersen – Son of Greger
- Bach – Brook, small stream
- Friis – Noble or free man
- Johnsen – Son of John
- Kjeldsen – Son of Kjeld
- Steffensen – Son of Steffen
- Krogh – Crook or bend
- Bech – Hill or mound
- Lauritsen – Son of Laurits
- Danielsen – Son of Daniel
- Andresen – Son of Andre
- Mathiesen – Son of Mathies
- Winther – Winter
- Toft – Homestead or curtilage
- Ravn – Raven
- Brandt – Burnt
- Dam – Pond or pool
- Holst – Someone from Holstein
- Lind – Linden tree
- Berg – Mountain or hill
- Mathiasen – Son of Mathias
- Overgaard – Upper farm
- Bak – Hill
- Nilsson – Son of Nils
- Klausen – Son of Klaus
- Schultz – Smith or local leader
- Schou – Lookout, place with a view
- Koch – Cook
- Thorsen – Son of Thor
- Kristoffersen – Son of Kristoffer
- Paulsen – Son of Paul
- Thygesen – Son of Thyge
- Hermansen – Son of Herman
- Bang – Bend or meadow
- Nygaard – New farm
- Juhl – Feast or celebration
- Kruse – Curly hair
Unique Danish Last Names
We’ve curated this list of unique Danish last names that showcase what makes Denmark, unlike any other place. As well as patronymic surnames, Danish surnames can stem from nature, specific landmarks, or occupations.
- Axelsen – Son of Axel
- Bendtsen – Son of Bendt
- Berthelsen – Son of Berthel
- Bisgaard – Birch farm
- Bjerg – Mountain or hill
- Bjerre – Mountain or hill
- Bjerregaard – Mountain farm
- Bonde – Farmer
- Brodersen – Son of Broder
- Bundgaard – Bottom or lowland farm
- Carstensen – Son of Carsten
- Clemmensen – Son of Clemmen
- Dalgaard – Valley farm
- Dalsgaard – Valley farm
- Damgaard – Pond or pool farm
- Davidsen – Son of David
- Ebbesen – Son of Ebbe
- Enevoldsen – Son of Enevold
- Eskildsen – Son of Eskild
- Graversen – Son of Graver
- Hald – Hill or slope
- Hedegaard – Heath farm
- Hemmingsen – Son of Hemming
- Henningsen – Son of Henning
- Hjorth – Deer
- Hougaard – Mound or hill farm
- Johannesen – Son of Johannes
- Johannsen – Son of Johann
- Johansson – Son of Johann
- Jønsson – Son of Jøn
- Justesen – Son of Just
- Juul – Feast or celebration
- Karlsen – Son of Karl
- Kirkegaard – Churchyard or church farm
- Kjærgaard – Marsh or fen farm
- Kofoed – Smith, coppersmith
- Krog – Inn or tavern
- Laugesen – Son of Lauges
- Lauritzen – Son of Lauritz
- Laustsen – Son of Laust
- Lindberg – Linden tree hill
- Lorentzen – Son of Lorentz
- Lorenzen – Son of Lorenz
- Ludvigsen – Son of Ludvig
- Lundberg – Forest hill
- Marcussen – Son of Marcus
- Markussen – Son of Markus
- Michaelsen – Son of Michael
- Michelsen – Son of Michel
- Mølgaard – Mill farm
- Moller – Miller
- Munch – Monk
- Munk – Monk
- Neumann – New man
- Nikolajsen – Son of Nikolaj
- Olsson – Son of Ols,Ole
- Ottesen – Son of Otte
- Ottosen – Son of Otto
- Persson – Son of Per
- Riis – Reed or rush
- Sandberg – Sand hill
- Schrøder – Cutter or tailor
- Søgaard – Lake farm
- Storm – Storm
- Svenningsen – Son of Svenning
- Svensson – Son of Sven
- Therkildsen – Son of Therkild
- Thøgersen – Son of Thøger
- Thomassen – Son of Thomas
- Thorup – Thor’s homestead
- Villadsen – Son of Villads
- Vinther – Winter
- Voss – Bog or marsh
- Westergaard – Western farm
- Wolff – Wolf
Cute Danish Last Names
Cute Danish surnames have endearing connotations, reflecting nature, diminutives, or pleasant imagery. These adorable surnames can be linked to elements of the countryside, animals, or terms of endearment, encapsulating a quintessential Danish coziness known as ‘hygge.’
- Albertsen – Son of Albert
- Andersson – Son of Anders
- Bæk – Brook or stream
- Bager – Baker
- Bille – Beetle
- Bjørn – Bear
- Blom – Flower
- Bøgh – Beech tree
- Boysen – Son of Boy
- Buhl – Hump or mound
- Busk – Bush or shrub
- Buus – Bush or shrub
- Carlsson – Son of Carl
- Duus – Sweet or gentle
- Fuglsang – Bird’s song
- Funch – Finch bird
- Grøn – Green
- Hauge – Hill or mound
- Hendriksen – Son of Hendrik
- Hjort – Deer
- Høgh – High
- Holmberg – Islet hill
- Høyer – Higher
- Hvid – White
- Hviid – White
- Kaas – Box or case
- Kaspersen – Son of Kasper
- Klitgaard – Dune farm
- Krabbe – Crab
- Kragelund – Throat grove
- Kure – Man from Kure
- Lerche – Lark
- Lindholm – Linden tree islet
- Lykke – Luck or happiness
- Lynge – Heather
- Mørk – Dark
- Pagh – Binding or bond
- Pallesen – Son of Palle
- Pihl – Willow
- Ploug – Plow
- Povlsen – Son of Povl
- Raun – Reed or rush
- Salling – From the Salling region
- Samuelsen – Son of Samuel
- Skou – Forest
- Slot – Castle or manor
- Smed – Smith
- Svane – Swan
- Vester – West
- Vind – Wind
Cool Danish Last Names
These Cool Danish surnames have an air of strength, history, and mystique. These names might evoke imagery of fierce Viking warriors, ancient Scandinavian legends, or the rugged Nordic landscapes.
- Albrechtsen – Son of Albrecht
- Bengtsson – Son of Bengt
- Bergmann – Mountain man
- Bidstrup – Name of a place in Denmark
- Bloch – Block or log
- Bødker – Cooper or barrel maker
- Borg – Castle or fortress
- Børk – Birch
- Brogaard – Bridge farm
- Brøgger – Brewer
- Bruhn – Brown
- Christophersen – Son of Christoph
- Dreyer – Turner
- Ellegaard – Alder farm
- Esbensen – Son of Esben
- Fogh – Fog, bird
- Gammelgaard – Old farm
- Geertsen – Son of Geert
- Gravesen – Son of Grave
- Greve – Count
- Haugaard – Hill or mound farm
- Hertz – Deer or stag
- Høj – High or hill
- Højgaard – High farm
- Husted – House or place with houses
- Jæger – Hunter
- Joensen – Son of Joen
- Junker – Young lord or nobleman
- Jürgensen – Son of Jürgen or Jørn
- Kjærsgaard – Marsh or fen farm
- Kjeldgaard – Spring or source farm
- Kjøller – Keel
- Koefoed – Smith, coppersmith
- Krarup – Crow’s nook
- Krogsgaard – Inn or tavern farm
- Kronborg – Crown castle
- Larsson – Son of Lars
- Lindegaard – Linden tree farm
- Lundgaard – Forest farm
- Magnussen – Son of Magnus
- Matzen – Son of Mats or Matz
- Meldgaard – Meeting or assembly farm
- Nedergaard – Lower farm
- Nøhr – Edge or shore
- Nørregaard – North farm
- Ovesen – Son of Ove
- Rohde – Red or clearing
- Rømer – Red-haired
- Rønne – Rowan tree
- Rosendahl – Rose valley
- Rossen – Rose
- Rytter – Rider or knight
- Severinsen – Son of Severin
- Skovgaard – Forest farm
- Skytte – Shooter or archer
- Sonne – Sun
- Steenberg – Stone mountain
- Storgaard – Great or large farm
- Strøm – Stream or current
- Therkelsen – Son of Therkel
- Thrane – Thorn
- Tønnesen – Son of Tønnes
- Truelsen – Son of Truels
- Vilhelmsen – Son of Vilhelm
Rare Danish Last Names
This list of rare Danish last names is perfect for the sophisticated and cultured. Possessing a rare Danish surname can offer individuals a unique connection to a specific lineage or a lesser-trodden path in the country’s history.
- Abrahamsen – Son of Abraham
- Adamsen – Son of Adam
- Astrup – Eastern village
- Bagge – Ram or male sheep
- Bentsen – Son of Bent
- Bjerrum – Berry ridge or hill
- Boesen – Son of Boe
- Bork – Birch
- Borup – Town with a fort or castle
- Brix – Bridge
- Bülow – Name of noble lineage
- Caspersen – Son of Casper
- Damkjær – Pond fen or marsh
- Damsgaard – Pond farm
- Daugaard – Day farm
- Degn – Deacon
- Dideriksen – Son of Diderik
- Ditlevsen – Son of Ditlev
- Drejer – Turner
- Dyhr – Wild or fierce
- Eliasen – Son of Elias
- Espensen – Son of Espen
- Espersen – Son of Esper
- Feddersen – Son of Fedder
- Foged – Bailiff
- Gotfredsen – Son of Gotfred
- Groth – Grove or thicket
- Gundersen – Son of Gunder
- Haahr – High or tall
- Hansson – Son of Hans
- Hinrichsen – Son of Hinrich
- Holmgaard – Islet farm
- Isaksen – Son of Isak
- Josefsen – Son of Josef
- Kastrup – Lime village
- Kirkeby – Church village
- Kjærulff – Marsh wolf or fen wolf
- Kloster – Monastery or convent
- Kofod – Coppersmith
- Kromann – Curved man or merchant
- Kvist – Twig or branch
- Ladefoged – Deputy bailiff or steward
- Lindhardt – Hard linden or lime tree
- Martinussen – Son of Martinus
- Mathiassen – Son of Mathias
- Matthiesen – Son of Matthies
- Mørch – Dark or moor
- Mouritsen – Son of Mourits
- Mouritzen – Son of Mourits
- Nørskov – North forest
- Norup – Northern village
- Odgaard – Point or tip farm
- Petersson – Son of Peter
- Philipsen – Son of Philip
- Pilgaard – Willow farm
- Qvist – Twig or branch
- Rahbek – Raven stream
- Roed – Red
- Rosenkilde – Rose spring
- Salomonsen – Son of Salomon
- Skaarup – Scar bank or shore
- Skjødt – Shot or piece
- Skøtt – Shooter or Scot
- Skriver – Writer or scribe
- Smedegaard – Smith’s farm
- Stæhr – Stare or starling bird
- Stephansen – Son of Stephan
- Thuesen – Son of Thue
- Tolstrup – Toll village
- Troelsen – Son of Troels
- Vad – Ford or wading place
- Vedel – Fiddle or violin
- Villumsen – Son of Villum
- Westh – West
- Wulff – Wolf
- Yde – To give or to provide
Uncommon Danish Last Names
While they aren’t as prevalent, these surnames hold a distinctive charm and offer a deeper dive into Denmark’s history. For those bearing an uncommon Danish surname, it often becomes a point of intrigue and offers a unique story of heritage and lineage.
- Antonsen – Son of Anton
- Bentzen – Son of Bentz or Bent
- Boisen – Son of Bois
- Borch – Birch or fortress
- Børgesen – Son of Børge
- Boye – Boy
- Brøndum – Well or spring village
- Callesen – Son of Calle
- Dall – Dale or valley
- Damm – Pond or dam
- Elkjær – Alder marsh or alder fen
- Erichsen – Son of Erich or Erik
- Eskesen – Son of Eske
- Haagensen – Son of Haagen or Hågen
- Hede – Heath or moor
- Hove – Head, hill, or mound
- Jochumsen – Son of Jochum
- Jonassen – Son of Jon or Jonas
- Korsgaard – Cross farm
- Lausen – Son of Laus
- Lindstrøm – Linden stream
- Lorentsen – Son of Lorents
- Månsson – Son of Måns
- Nicolaisen – Son of Nicolai
- Nicolajsen – Son of Nicolaj
- Sejersen – Son of Sejer
- Steensen – Son of Steen or Stone
- Torp – Thorpe or hamlet
- Willumsen – Son of Willum
More Lists:
Famous People with Danish Last Names
Hans Christian Andersen, born in Denmark in 1805, was a prolific writer whose works are seen in plays, art, and movies. He wrote hundreds of fairy tales, including The Little Mermaid, Thumbelina, and The Ugly Duckling. Andersen is a Danish surname meaning ‘son of Anders,’ a Greek name that simply means ‘man.’
Helena Christensen is a clothing designer, model, and co-founder of the popular Nylon magazine. She was born in Denmark in 1968 and has made an impact with her extensive philanthropic work. The Danish last Christensen name means ‘son of Christen,’ a form of the name Christian, meaning ‘follower of Christ.’
Brigitte Nielsen was born in Denmark in 1963 and made her mark as a singer, model, and actress. Her most recognizable role was arguably in the Rocky series. Nielsen is a Danish last name meaning ‘son of Niels,’ a form of the Greek name Nicholas, which means ‘victory of the people.’
Kasper Schmeichel was born in Denmark in 1986. He is a soccer player who serves as a goalkeeper for Lihue 1 and Denmark’s national team. He has represented Denmark in two FIFA World Cups. Schmeichel comes from a Middle High German word meaning ‘to flatter.’
Niels Bohr, born in Denmark in 1885, was a physicist and philosopher. Much of his research was focused on studying the atom, and in 1913, he presented the Bohr model of the atom. The Danish last name Bohr could originate from the Dutch word for ‘barren’ or a Middle High German word meaning ‘bear.’
References
Information from the Danish National Statistics Office which collects, analyses, and publishes information on Danish last names was used to collect this data.
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