Surname Lorenzen - Meaning and Origin
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Roots Unravelled: A Viking Lineage and the Meaning Behind My Surname, Lorenzen, Revealed Through iGENEA DNA Test
Unravelling the rich and vivid history of my family line through the comprehensive DNA analysis at iGENEA, I discovered that my surname, Lorenzen, hails from the Viking age, carrying within it tales of resilience, determination, and notable historical significance, enlightening me on an unexplored chapter of my personal lineage.
C. Lorenzen
read moreLorenzen: What does the surname Lorenzen mean?
The surname Lorenzen is an occupational surname of German origin derived from the word “Lorenz”, which means “laurel”. The name likely originated as a patronymic surname for someone who was an apprentice to a laurel grower, or who grew laurel for a living, since the word “Lorenz” was associated with laurel during medieval times.
The name likely began to take form in the 1500s as a family name when people started to adopt family names. Since the name was derived from a profession, and the profession was associated with laurel, it’s likely that the name Lorenzen was first associated with families who were involved in the laurel industry.
Given that lorenz was associated with laurel, some believe that is why the name is often associated with strength and triumph. In fact, the name was adopted by many families of warriors and often given to the first-born child in a family. It’s believed that this symbolic act would serve to bless the warrior with success and strength during battles.
Today, the surname Lorenzen is common all over Europe. It’s especially common in Germany, Denmark, England, Norway, Sweden, and the Netherlands. The name is also prevalent in other countries, such as the United States, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, and Mexico.
Order DNA origin analysisLorenzen: Where does the name Lorenzen come from?
The last name Lorenzen is a common German surname, primarily found in Germany, Denmark, and the rest of Northern Europe. Historically, it is believed to have originated in what is now the North German state of Schleswig-Holstein, while variants of the same surname can be found in Denmark, Norway, and Sweden. According to the 2006 census, more than 57,320 people in Germany had the surname Lorenzen.
Today, remnants of the Lorenzen name can still be found in the German-speaking countries of Northern Europe, including Germany, Austria, and Switzerland. In addition, the surname is also found in the United States, Canada, Australia, and even South Africa.
The simplest way to trace a Lorenzen’s ancestry is through online genealogical research. Many genealogy websites focus on the records of the German-speaking countries, and, in addition, Lutheran records in the United States often contain information about German immigrants. Through these records, it is possible to trace branches of the Lorenzen family back to their roots in the region.
While the Lorenzen name is not particularly common outside of Northern Europe, its history is rich and serves as a testament to the family’s lasting legacy.
Variations of the surname Lorenzen
There are quite a few variants and spellings of the surname Lorenzen. The most common variants include Lorensen, Lorenson, Lorensson, Lørensen, Lørenson, and Lørensson.
Surnames of similar origin are Lorentzen, Lorentzon, Lörentz, Lörentzen, Lörentzon, Laursen, Laurson, Laurson, Laursson, Laboratory, Lorenzano, Lossen, Losson, and Lawrenz.
The origin of the surname Lorenzen can be traced back to the old Scandinavian language, where 'Lorens' meant from the laurel tree or from Laurentium (which is believed to be a settlement now located in the suburbs of Rome). As with many Scandinavian surnames, the addition of '-sen' or '-son' indicated the bearer was the son of one named Lorens.
Many of the variants of the surname Lorenzen have been found in modern-day Germany, Denmark, and Norway, though it has become more widespread through migration. Similarly, variants of the surname can be found throughout the United States and Canada.
The surname is also quite common among Dutch and other Low Countries families, though the variants vary slightly from Dutch to English-based dialects. In Dutch, common spellings include Laurensen, Laurensz, Laarman, Loormans, Loosman, and Losman.
Famous people with the name Lorenzen
- Mike Lorenzen, Major League Baseball relief pitcher.
- Christopher Lorenzen, Paralympic athlete in swimming.
- Morten Lorenzen, Danish professional football player.
- Frank Lorenzen, Danish professional football player.
- Edwin Olof Lorenzen, Supreme Court Justice of Finland.
- Bowe Lorenzen, Danish professional football player.
- Carl Lorenzen, former German track & field athlete.
- Christian Andreas Lorenzen, one of the most famous Danish writers and poets.
- Jens Jacob Lorenzen, Danish opera singer.
- Per Henrik Brask Lorenzen, a famous Danish botanist.