Surname Moritzen - Meaning and Origin
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Moritzen: What does the surname Moritzen mean?
The last name Moritzen is of German origin, derived from the given name Matthias or Mortiz. It is thought to be derived from a personal name derived from the Hebrew word for ‘gift’ or ‘reward’, which likely refers to the generosity of the individual who first bore the name. From the 14th century this name was popularized in Germany and Scandinavia.
The meaning of the name Moritzen is thought to be ‘son of Mortiz’ or ‘servant of Mortiz’, referring to an individual with the given name Matthias or Mortiz who was an influential figure in medieval Germany. This is reflected in the suffix -en, which was used to denote 'son of' in the Middle Ages.
Moritzen can now be seen as an occupational name, referring to people with the job title of Matthias or Mortiz, such as a craftsman or laborer. It is also used as a surname in countries around the world. In the United States, people with the last name Moritzen mainly originate from Germany.
The last name Moritzen is a symbol of legacy, rooted in the generosity and respect that were held for Matthias or Mortiz during the Middle Ages.
Order DNA origin analysisMoritzen: Where does the name Moritzen come from?
The last name Moritzen is a fairly common Germanic name found across Europe, but the highest prevalence is located in the German state of Schleswig-Holstein. This region is close to the Danish border and is also home to many ethnic Danish people; Moritzen is a popular name among these Danish immigrants.
The name is also found throughout northern Germany, the Netherlands, and the Scandinavian countries, often spelled as "Moritzsen" or "Mortensen". All forms are pronounced similarly; the -en ending is the Northern Germanic form of the suffix, and its prevalence is found in countries like Denmark, Sweden, Norway, and northern Germany, as well as small portions of the Netherlands and Estonia.
Moritzen is a patronymic or matronymic surname, derived from the personal name "Mortiz" (Germanic) or "Morten" (Scandinavian). This given name is ancient, and literally means "One who is from the sea." Over the centuries, variations of the family name have spread throughout Europe, and today can be found in major population hubs like Germany, The Netherlands, Scandinavia, the United Kingdom, and a handful of provinces in Canada.
Variations of the surname Moritzen
The surname Moritzen comes from the given name Maurice, which is derived from the Latin "Mauricius". Variants, spellings and surnames of the same origin for Moritzen include, but are not limited to, Mauritsen, Maurtin, Mowrtin, Mowrtzen, Moritsen, Moriten, Maurice, Maurizio, Mauricius, Mauretz, Maritzen, Martzen, Maertezen, Marttin, Martien, Maricius, Maritz, Maerits, Maurits, and Maurette.
Maurice is believed to be derived from an ancient Roman family name and was probably adopted from the Franks by the Normans, who brought it to Britain. It became increasingly popular throughout the Middle Ages and became adopted in various languages, including the Germanic Moritz.
The name carries different spelling variations according to country and language. In France, it is written as Maurice, while in Germany, it is spelled as Moritz or Moritzen. In Italy and Portugal, variants such as Maurizio and Mauricio are commonly used. In Poland and Czech Republic, variants Maurcius and Moricius are popular.
Various spellings of Moritzen were used across European countries. In Norway and Sweden, variants Mörtin and Mörtzen were adopted. In the Netherlands, the common spelling is Mauritsen, while other spellings are Maritzen, Martzen, Maertezen, and Marttin. Similarly, the name was anglicized as Maurice, Morris, Morrice, and Morrissey in the British Isles. In Spain it is written as Mauricio or Maurizio, and in Austria and Hungary, variants Mauriz and Moric occur.
Famous people with the name Moritzen
- Dina Thusgaard Moritzen (Danish TV Hostess)
- Malou Aamund Moritzen (Danish Professional Golfer)
- Jørn Moritzen (Danish Actor)
- Tanja Aakjær Moritzen (Danish TV Hostess/Producer)
- Cecilie Frøkjær Moritzen (Danish Author/Journalist)
- Peter Moritzen (Danish Orchestra Conductor)
- Esben Moritzen (Danish Actor/Playwright)
- Tom Moritzen (Danish Comedian)
- Mikkel Nordsø Moritzen (Danish Film Director and Screenwriter)
- Henning Moritzen (Danish Actor)