Surname Elsen - Meaning and Origin
all surnames with 'E'
Elsen: What does the surname Elsen mean?
The last name Elsen is of German origin, derived from a Germanic-language word meaning “Alexander” or “protector of mankind.” It is believed that the Elsen name was originally created to honor a local lord or noble by bestowing their given name upon their subjects or retainers as an acknowledgment of loyalty.
The name has become prominent over the years, particularly in Germany, Netherlands and Belgium. As with many European surnames, Elsen has also spread throughout the world, with numerous people of German ancestry in the United States bearing the Elsen name.
The name has many variants and spellings, and many people with variants of Elsen have anglicized the spelling of their name to suit particular countries, communities or linguistic preferences.
People with the Elsen name typically have an adventurous spirit and a vibrant, outgoing personality. They are easy-going and enjoy meaningful conversations and relationships, and are not afraid to take risks and make decisions.
People with the Elsen name are often very idealistic, preferring to think of how things could be, rather than being satisfied with the way they are. They have a strong sense of intuition, often being guided by a sixth sense in making decisions.
Overall, the Elsen name carries a deep and meaningful history, evoking images of a proud past and a bright future. It is also a representation of adventure and a sense of exploration, and is indicative of a lively and vibrant personality.
Order DNA origin analysisElsen: Where does the name Elsen come from?
The surname Elsen is an occupational surname that typically originated from the Middle Dutch word “Elsenier” which refers to a person who owned an alder tree plantation. Today, the surname Elsen can be found mainly in northern Europe, particularly the Netherlands, Germany and also Belgium.
In the Netherlands, Elsen is a fairly common surname and there are almost 25,000 people who bear it today. This is in contrast with the other provinces where the name Elsen has less than 300 occurrences. The highest numbers of Elsens are found in North Holland, Friesland, Utrecht and Overijssel.
In Germany, the last name Elsen does not appear to be as common as in the Netherlands, with only a few hundred people living in the country with the name. It is however recorded in all of the major cities, such as Berlin and Munich.
In Belgium, Elsen is the 7th most common surname, of which a majority of its bearers reside in the East Flanders province. Additionally, there are smaller numbers of Elsen’s in wallonia, the Dutch-speaking part of Belgium.
It is evident that the last name Elsen is most commonly found in Europe, particularly the Netherlands, Germany and Belgium. It is likely that the name Elsen has been carried to other parts of the world, such as the United States, and many people might not even be aware of their family’s European roots.
Variations of the surname Elsen
The surname Elsen is of Germanic origin and is derived from the name 'Elison', which was a Medieval personal name composed of the Germanic elements 'ali' and 'sunu'. This gives the name several variants, spellings and surnames of the same origin, including Elison, Ellson, Ellsun, Elsdon, Elson, Elsun, Ellsen, Elssen, Ellison, Elisson, Ellsom, Ellsombe, Ilson, Illson and Elesin.
The surname Elsen first appears in Germany in medieval records. In the 13th century, the first recording of the name Elsun occurs in the region of Bremen. Around the same time, a man named Elson lived in the town of Lubeck. In the 15th century, a man named Elson also appeared in Wurttemberg, which is now part of modern-day Baden-Wurttemberg.
The surname Elsen has spread throughout Europe since the 14th century. In England, the surname Elson appears in the 15th century. In France, the variants Elison and Ellison became popular in the 16th century. In Scotland, spelling variations such as Illson, Ellsun and Elsdon appear in the early 1700s.
Elson also appears as a surname in Poland, Denmark and Sweden. In the United States, the spelling Elson can be found in numerous records from the 18th and 19th centuries. As a result of Elson's prevalence throughout many countries, there are numerous variants and spellings of the Elsen surname, which remains quite popular today.
Famous people with the name Elsen
- Jarrod Elsen: Jarrod is an American musician, singer, songwriter, and multi-instrumentalist who's been active in the music scene since the early 2000s. He has released numerous EPs as well as several albums and is a member of the indie-rock band, The Joggers.
- Aileen Elsen: Aileen is a Swedish architect and interior designer known for her design studio “A Inteiror Architecture” and for her involvement in numerous big projects such as the refurbishment of the one-hundred-year-old Stora Teatern opera house in Malmö, Sweden.
- Carsten Elsen: Carsten is a German ex-professional bmx rider who won several BMX and speed races in Europe and North America during the 90s and the early 2000s. He still works in the mountain and BMX bike industry as a designer and frame builder.
- Paul Elsen: Paul is a Dutch professor of Communication Science and Information Studies at Open University Netherlands. He was awarded the Johan Huizinga Fellowship and is an authority on the impact of new media, digital technologies, and economic organization on media markets.
- Ulrike Elsen: Ulrike is a German opera singer, who has held several prestigious roles in Germany and performed in Paris and Vienna. She is acclaimed for her expressiveness, stage presence, and artistry.
- Larry Elsen: Larry is an American politician from Missouri. He served as a member of the Missouri House of Representatives from 1981 to 1984 and was elected in 1983 as the Speaker of the Missouri House of Representatives.
- Don Elsen: Don is a Dutch former soccer player, who had a successful career playing for clubs such as Feyenoord, NAC Breda, and MVV Maastricht. He's currently a Coach at 1. FC Düren, Germany.