Surname Kristoffersen - Meaning and Origin

Kristoffersen: What does the surname Kristoffersen mean?

The surname Kristoffersen is a patronymic surname deriving from the given name of Kristoffer. Patronymic surnames are ones derived from the father's given name and are very common in Scandinavian countries, including Norway.

The name Kristoffer is derived from the Greek name Christophoros and means “bearer of Christ” or “servant of Christ.” The suffix ersen or sen indicates the nature of the surname, which is patronymic rather than hereditary. It was commonly added to a given name to create a recognizable surname.

Beyond its Greek and Scandinavian roots, the name is found throughout Europe and the United States. It is also popular in the Far East, particularly in Thailand, Indonesia, and the Philippines.

Due to its popularity and wide dispersal, there are a variety of spellings of the surname. Alternative spellings can include Kristofferson, Kristofersen, Kristofersson, and many more.

Despite its variant spellings, the surname retains its link to Scandinavia and its original meaning of “servant of Christ.” Its usage is a hint to a long history and legacy of faith and devotion to Christianity.

Kristoffersen: Where does the name Kristoffersen come from?

The last name Kristoffersen is a predominantly Scandinavian name, primarily found in Norway, Denmark, and Sweden. Norway is the country where the name is most common as Kristoffersen is the 28th most popular surname.

The name is closely associated with the Scandinavian patronymic tradition, in which surnames are based on the father's given name. In the case of Kristoffersen, it can be interpreted as meaning "son of Kristoffer". It is likely that this indicates a family connection to the very popular Scandinavian first name Kristoffer which translates as "bearing Christ".

The prevalence of Kristoffersen in Scandinavia can be attributed to several semi-legendary figures in Norse folklore bearing the name. Norse sagas also often feature characters with this last name.

It is also common elsewhere, such as in various parts of North America where most of those with Scandinavian names roots moved to during the 19th and 20th centuries. Around 60.000 people in the United States are estimated to bear the Kristoffersen last name, and there is also a smaller presence in Canada and Argentina.

Outside of Scandinavia, Kristoffersen often becomes Kristofferson. This Anglicisation of the surname is a reflection of immigrants attempting to fit in with the wider population by anglicizing their surname upon arrival in their new home countries.

Variations of the surname Kristoffersen

Kristoffersen is a patronymic surname, meaning it is derived from the first name of the father of the original bearer. Common variants of this surname include Kristofferson, Kristoffersson, Kristoffrson and Kristolfson.

Other variants of the name originating from different languages and cultures include Kriestopf, Kresutopf, Kristov, Kristowitz, Kristovics, Kristaff, Kristaffi, Kristofcevich, Kristovizevich, Kristoffovitch, Krystovičs, Kristovska and Krestof.

The variations of the surname tend to vary from region to region, as surnames were not always rigidly adhered to in the past. For example, in the United Kingdom, Michael Kresutopf and his family changed their name to Kristoffersen upon emigrating from Germany in the early 20th century.

Variations of the surname can also be found in other languages. For example, the Italian version of Kristoffersen is Cristofari. In Polish, the surname takes the spelling Krystoffersen.

Although the variants of the surname may sound different than the original surname, they all share the same meaning and origin. Additionally, the surname is commonly found throughout Scandinavia, as it is a popular surname in Norway, Sweden and Denmark.

Famous people with the name Kristoffersen

• Ane Kristoffersen: Danish poet
• Anita Kristoffersen: American figure skater
• Atle Kristoffersen: Norwegian lawyer
• Dag Kristoffersen: Norwegian diplomat and politician
• Eva Kristoffersen: Norwegian politician
• Jan Inge Kristoffersen: Norwegian composer
• Kristian Kristoffersen: Norwegian alpine skier
• Oddgeir Kristoffersen: Norwegian hillbilly singer
• Paul Kristoffersen: Norwegian soccer player
• Petter Kristoffersen: Norwegian biathlete
• Stian Kristoffersen: Norwegian drummer
• Svein Kristoffersen: Norwegian politician
• Torolf Kristoffersen: Norwegian wrestler
• Torstein Kristoffersen: Norwegian ski jumper
• Anneli Kristoffersen: Norwegian writer
• Karoline K. Kristoffersen: Norwegian illustrator
• Simon Kristoffersen: Danish actor
• Carsten Kristoffersen: Danish strongman
• Christian Kristoffersen: Norwegian skier
• Jørgen Kristoffersen: Danish songwriter and musician

Other surnames

KristoffersonKristoffersson