According to the most recent publicly available U.S. Census data from the year 2000, the five most common last names in the United States are Smith, Johnson, Williams, Brown, and Jones. Name changed to Swenson at some point. Am I correct in that assumption. While were still in the Midwest, lets talk about the Hawkeye States most common last names. Thanks so much! There are rarely sudden shifts in the lists compiled, generally then fluctuate steadily. Aker = ker (Corn field, wheat field, potato field), Very interesting site. I am Half-Norwegian. Denmarks surnames are mostly patronymic. National- Rank: #11- Number of babies in 2021: 9,504. Smith, along with Johnson, Miller, Jones, Williams, and Anderson make up most of the most common surnames by state. .My Dad was Jakobus Daniel Vorster. I spoke to some people from denmark and they say its sounds like its from Norway. Leo is a name of Greek origin meaning "lion". Daniel is a name of Hebrew origin meaning "God is my judge". It seems to be fairly rare. Six of the top 20 names on this list of the 55 most common last names in the U.S. have Hispanic origins. The source is a 100% sample based on Social Security card application data as of March 2022. It does not matter that you have never set foot in Poland or that your parents can not speak a word of this strange Slavic language. As you can see, some of the names come in two variants - they are practically the same but the suffix depends on whether the person in question is a man (e.g. Christophersen on my fathers side. I was told that the name was derived from a mountain somewhere in Norway. Ove as a surname is unusual to me. Thank you! Most Common Surnames in Minnesota, With Meanings Most Common Last Names In Minnesota Forebears knows about 329,950 unique surnames in Minnesota and there are 17 people per name. While most states hold "Smith" as their most frequently appearing surname, the study also includes second and third place runner-ups, like "Johnson" and "Miller." FIRST NAMES: The most popular baby names of 2017 so far National- Rank: #74- Number of babies in 2021: 4,532. The world's largest online family history resource - Start now, Discovering African American Heroes in My Family Tree, African American Ancestry Research to Trace Family History, Who Was Carol Burnetts REAL Grandfather? This Midwestern state, sometimes known as the Buckeye State, is home to residents whose last names are most commonly Johnson, the third most common, Miller, the second most common, and Smith, the first most common. Names.org. Pedersen (35,145)7. We were told it was the name of the farmland they lived on. Frsaker is a small place close to Gjvik, Norway. National- Rank: #26- Number of babies in 2021: 8,252. I knew Linder had to do with a lime tree but found it an odd name for Swedish. He did not take British citizenship, which made it more difficult. I have no idea where or when either was born or any other information about them. How about Reierson? From maple and oak trees to pine and plum trees, you can find numerous species in Wisconsins forests. My mothers Maiden name is Howden but with some ancestry research by several of the family members, it was de Hoveden and the ancestor was a Roger de Hoveden who was a scribe to William the Conqueror. My dads mom is a Nesseth. I can find the farm on a Norwegian top map, Bakken is also indicated along with Skjenstad. They settled in West Hempstead, Long Island, New York. Are these names common to Denmark and Norway? Do you have an inkling of how many churches were around Trondheim? The leaves are divided into two types: one that is flat and wide, and another that is folded and thinner. Probably Husum ((lots of houses). These names will absolutely help with that so again, thank you! restrictions, which you can review below. I was recently given our familys ancestry research which goes as far back as the 1700s, early 1600s, but I havent had the heart to go through it yet. If you do have a Polish-sounding name, check how popular it is here. My husbands last name is Odegard. My husbands mother was Aadnesgaard. My GGGrandparents Bakke from Hemsedal, Norway. My maternal grandmothers maiden name was either Pettersen or Pedersen. Thanks. Naming of children is regulated in Norway, although the rules are more liberal now than ever before. my name is Ruud, 1st time I have seen that name on this site!! When doing your family research, do you stumble across the last name Smith in your area frequently? It is accurate to refer to a viking ship because they were used by the Norsemen for their journeys, to go a-viking in. maybe from the town Aker? Does anyone know anything about the name Ove? Now that we finally know how to spell Mississippi, here are their top three most common last names. My father was Harald Sivertsen and my grandfather Olaf Nicholai Sivertsen whom I was named after..Thanks. Paternal grandfather is Rodby? Maybe Little Rock (IE from an area associated with a small hill). 1. 2) Landry - 18,878. He was also one of the founding fathers of the Norwegian Constitution from 1814 (https://www.stortinget.no/en/In-English/About-the-Storting/The-Constitution/). This tree is a hallmark of Wisconsin forests and fall colors, and is sought commercially in the timber and syrup industry. ThNk you for this article! A study by genealogy tracking service Ancestry.com recently revealed the most common last names in California and the U.S. Also ombo island. 32. ( In Canada I go by Trudy as Turid pronunciation is not complimentary lol ). Dahl(11,503). My Great Grandfather: Family name at birth: Guttormsen (Hans). While Smith remains the most common U.S. surname, for the first time, two Hispanic namesGarcia and Rodriguezmade the top 10. Im very happy to have tracked down our Norwegian relatives. He dropped Olson, likely in Minnesota as this is where they first arrived and lived until claiming land in alberta, canada. At any rate, it is fascinating to research ones ancestry! Sanna This common Italian surname means 'Lily'. Brilliant article. 3) Broussard - 17,381. Also, researchers can make transcribing errors, something I have found from time to time when I am searching census records, immigration arrivals. Depending where you come from it is possible we are related. Overby was the farm where he was born. It blooms in spring with 2-inch fragrant clusters of flowers with red stalks. Santoro Italy has had its own share of saints, also depicted in the many prized artworks by known artists like Leonardo da Vinci and others. Apparently, I was violent before I married. In doing so, youre agreeing to the below guidelines. Noah is a name of Hebrew origin meaning "rest". My surname is Ove. Colonialism involves replacing a colonized territorys culture with that of the colonizers. Wondering the meaning and geographic origin of my maiden name, Nesseth? Andersen (37,025)6. My ggma is Katherine Engel hellberg or Engel Katherine Hellberg. You are absolutely right on all counts. Samuel is a name of Hebrew origin meaning "name of God". Her name was Helen. Is Retrum a Scandinavian surname? Roughly 20 percent of South Korea's population (and 25 percent of North Korea) has this surname. Those trees are common in Northern Europe, whereas lime trees of course are not. In any case, she never had a matronymic name. National- Rank: #55- Number of babies in 2021: 5,693. Cooper is a name of English origin meaning "barrel maker". Ancestry.com did some research and broke down the top three most common last names in every U.S. stateand the results might surprise you. In this Midwestern U.S. state, Smith takes a couple steps back and is the third most common last name. It all comes down to imperialism and colonialism, in which some countries took over other peoples countries and lands in the name of their own government. Ashley Suffl Robinson has a Ph.D. in 19th Century English Literature. His name was Finn Christensen. Below are the 20 most common Cajun last names in Louisiana, and how many residents share that last name in our state. The file lines consist of a name, a comma, and then the count of occurrences in the sample. National- Rank: #82- Number of babies in 2021: 4,219. Id like to learn more about them too and I would appreciate it if anyone can help me. Thanks to their flat-leaf stalks, they quake in the slightest breeze. Germans were the largest immigrant group to settle in Wisconsin in the 19th century. The third most common is Williams, the second most common is Johnson, and the most common is Smith in Alaska. Aiden is a name of Gaelic origin meaning "born of fire". With all the Petersons, Andersons, and Johnsons around the Badger State,what last names are the most common in Wisconsin? I seem to be descended from a mariner named William Clemsted. My grandfathers name was Erick Olsen Gjengedal. Myles is a name of Latin origin meaning "soldier". -Wick or -wich in Scotland. It looks like the Lone Star State wasnt about to follow the crowd. Elijah is a name of Hebrew origin meaning "Yahweh is God". - Rank: #72. Research from ancestry.com has outlined the most widely-used surnames in the United States and the areas where they are most frequent. We know it was steeper terrain since my grandfather always talked about how the cows had shorter legs on one side so they could stand on the hillside. Sorry my fathers surname isnt on the list! Jensen(22,879)10. In recent centuries, these family names have carved out an interesting story in the world of etymology. My great grandfather John Johnson Berg was born in Norway in 1850. For example, the usage of last names as part of your legal identification in European culture only dates back to about the 15th century. Abstract. These last names may be part of a persons lineage or identity today. What an interesting and enlightening article! Henry is a name of German origin meaning "estate ruler". Youll probably notice that most of the common last names in the U.S. are Anglophone--i.e. Our projects & services:Agencja employer brandingSystem rekrutacyjny ATSOferty pracy w finansach. So a Danish family name like Christensen translates as son of Christen. Kowalski) or a woman (e.g. This tradition decreased somewhat after the suffragette and feminist movements, and continues to decline significantly. In Virginia, the third most common last name is Jones, the second most common is Johnson, and the first most common is Smith. If you happen to be named Kowalski - congratulations, you get bonus points on the Polishness scale. This has resulted in almost all the most common last names in South America being Portuguese in origin. This Western state has Anderson as the third most common last name, with Johnson in second, and Smith in first. Eriksen(19,136)14. Olsen (49,303)4. MacDonald (English origin) means "son of Donald". Based on the population of Wisconsin, to be considered less common but not overly obscure, a name must have betweeen 900 and 2,500 births in Wisconsin since 1880. . These are known as Li/Lie. Williams is the third most common, Johnson is the second, and Smith is the first. I am trying to research HERMO, Any ideas? Cadieux is an ancient surname that is derived from the word cad and refers to a 'little fighter'. Did you know Vermonts state capital is the only one in the U.S. without a single McDonalds? Per research, Ive found ancestors named Schiette as well as a shield with that name, circa 1500s. I was born in Oslo. To that end, most Stacker stories are freely available to Yes, really. Surname Count1. His dad is a mystery. My grandfather took the name Hill when he met and married my grandmother. And Langbraaten, taken from a farm in NorwayThanks. Also keep in mind that in many cultures and countries, surnames also are a relatively recent phenomenon. Names really do get quite confusing when you are dealing with hereditary: As a 93 year old born in New Zealand which has quite a large Scandinavian population of immigrants from the late 1800s. Smith. The tables below provide links to text files of GINAP (version 1) standardized given names. I was a Christophersen until I got married. My great grandfathers name was Ole Knutson as well , my great grandmother traced our ancestry back to Queen Elizabeth for me for a 6th grade Renaissance Fair. Grayson is a name of English origin meaning "son of the steward". Would love to see everyones take on my last name Vikjord. As you can see, some of the names come in two variants - they are practically the same but the suffix depends on whether the person in question is a man (e.g. National- Rank: #4- Number of babies in 2021: 12,708. Dubois - meaning "from the forest," in French, also written as Du Bois. Prior to 1805 it was all patronymic. There is the town of ROA north of Oslo, and I believe the word ROA refers to a geographic location, something akin to corner or where two valleys meet. And out of personal interest, I discovered that Gundersenmy own surnamecame in at number 28 in the list. Joan, I believe rtun is more like Riverton. Thank you. Sjur is a norwegian forename that origins from the old norse name Sigurdr meaning victory or guardian. She was previously an editorial intern for RD.com and Westchester Magazine. The tree produces a dark blue berry-like cone that contains the trees seeds. They bloom with yellowish-green flowers in May. Could Otterdahl be Scandinavian? Its also possible that his name was changed by an immigration officer. Thanks again for the great article! They can be distinguished through their rough bark with diamond-shaped ridges. I was told it is Norwegian. My maternal grandmothers surname was Barsten from area Trondheim, and maternal grandfather it is said was also Barsten but from Oslo area and chngd to Olson when he came to the states. The third most common last name in Pennslyvania is Williams, the second most common is Miller, and the first most common is Smith. Does anyone know what Kneastang means? Great grandfather & Great grandmpther names. Tamarack trees have an open, pyramidical crown, which reaches up to 30 to 60 feet. There is a dictionary on Norwegian surnames with recent statoistics (Veka O. Norsk etternamnleksikon. The great Norwegian playwright, Henrik Ibsen, has a surname that is instantly recognisable. Smith is in third, Miller is in second, and Johnson is in first. 2 / 50. So a clearing where there is a mill probably a grinding mill making flour out of grain, driven by a brook or creek. It produces a sweet, round, dark purple fruit that ripens between July and August. Archer is a name of English origin meaning "bowman". Surname in the USA is ROA in Norway it was Aslaksen. - Number of babies from 1960 to 1969: 48,715. Is the last name Umsted related in any way? National- Rank: #54- Number of babies in 2021: 5,694. My grandfathers first name was Soren and my grandmothers first name was Karen. Of the5.758million people that live in Wisconsin, almost 46,000 have the last name Johnson. Johnson is in third, Williams is in second, and Smith wins as the most common last name in Iowa. why not test them out in a short story using one of these creative writing prompts? My Maiden name is Carr. This is one reason why outlining my family tree stalled somewhat a number of years ago. Shortening and nicknames are also common for surnames derived from given names. US, 1801-1999. Kim. Were looking at 1700s or earlier. 21. The different spellings are due to the non-consistent spelling rules in Norway in the 1700s and 1800s. Norways next door neighbour abolished this type of practice a little earlier, in 1901. I do not know where the farm was located. This list of 78 cool last names--plus their meanings!--might help you out. Hansen (53,011)2. Top Baby Names in Wisconsin Here are the most Popular Baby Names by U.S. state for the year 2020, as compiled by the United States Social Security Office of the Actuary. Patronymic: a name passed down from either the father or ancestor. National- Rank: #5- Number of babies in 2021: 12,367. Joseph is a name of Hebrew origin meaning "he will add". Devi - common in India, this sweet last name is used among Hindu females, meaning "goddess.". Moen, often in the form mon, is also a common nickname for Norwegian excursion sites and military camps. In many cases, that meant imposing the colonizers system of naming people on native and indigenous peoples living in their colonies. These world records from every state will blow your mind. My grandfather was Ockerman Olson. which means prince. About 92.8 million people in China have this namewhich is roughly 15 percent of Chinas population! I have been to the family farm in Norway. The extra farm used during summer. But there are still regional differences. Or the name Ege. If your last name did not make it into the top 10, you can look it up in this database. The constant misnaming of Norsemen as Vikings makes me crazy. Only part of the tree yet to be expanded on. Our new student and parent forum, at ExpertHub.PrepScholar.com, allow you to interact with your peers and the PrepScholar staff. Not everyone was meticulous and I can understand why. Came to America in 1858. My fathers maternal relatives came from Norway. Is it perhaps the case that the geographic location (home or farm) name would have been selected as the north american surname while dropping the Aslaksen surname ? Heres why. National- Rank: #39- Number of babies in 2021: 7,163, You may also like: Most rural counties in Wisconsin. Weve also included the names place of origin and its general meaning. Benjamin is a name of Hebrew origin meaning "son of my days". (c. 1704) and later in Kristiansand. Andersson (251,621)2. Norwegian surnames often comprise of place names or a geographical features of the landscape, while others were a direct result of their father's first name. It was his mothers maiden name. Another one of the four states with Jones in the top three common last names, Tennessees most common last name rankings are Jones in third, Johnson in second, and Smith in first. Thats not. I recently learned the people who could write, wrote their own names so they probably were not Americanized by Americans. So upper village makes sense. The top three last names in the entire U.S. are Smith, Johnson, and Williams, in that order. Her father and an uncle, both Lutheran missionaries, were Aadnesgaard. Its supposedly Norwegian but as stated in the article, tracing a family tree in Norway pre-1920s is very difficult. National- Rank: #29- Number of babies in 2021: 7,981. Other than Wisconsin, it is native to Maine, Iowa, Florida, Louisiana, and South Carolina. The second most common last name is Anderson, and the first most common is Johnson. Characteristic (Person with brown hair or dark complexion), Clan name (Korea), Royal Dynasty (China), Person from the meadowlands (British Isles), from Latin Ludovicus, winner of an athletic game, Disputed. Means "new" and "fresh." and more. I think his original name was Peterson or Petersen or Pederson or Pedersen. I am not sure of the spelling of the last name. Hello. Surname Count 1. But that's not the case for all cultures! This southeastern states top three most common last names are also the top three in the entire country. My father was born in Norway. Jackson is a name of English origin meaning "son of Jack". Any comments very welcome! The name Ib is derived from the name Jacob, just a shortened version. Nowak) are not gender-inflected, meaning the form does not change depending on the person's gender. Armstrong This surname originated from the Scottish borders. Modum is a district in Buskerud County. Are you interested in last names because youre a creative writer? My grandfather is Faltin Kalsheim, from Rogaland Norway. National- Rank: #47- Number of babies in 2021: 6,548, You may also like: Best private high schools in Wisconsin. Its Clarenson which would mean son of Clarence? Im also wondering why it would be spelled son instead of sen. My great grandparents came here from Norway in the early 1900s. The branches have a green to purple bark, while mature trees have thin, grayish-brown bark. According to listings in the white pages, Smith is one of the most common last names in almost every state of the United States. The Littleleaf Linden tree can grow up to 50 to 70 feet tall with a spread of 35 to 50 feet. But there are still regional differences. For instance, Schmidt, which is ranked No. My fathers family name was Satren. Stacker distribution partners receive a license to all Stacker stories, Please let me know before I go there next year 2022 to Norway. Stacker believes in making the worlds data more accessible through It was quite interesting. Germany and Sweden it seems as though the Knutsons traveled quite a bit. Im in Canada. My grandfather came to America in 1904. They would walk the animals from the main farm in the lowlands up there to exploit the grazing resources in the mountais. Its also important to know that for some people, their last names point to a legacy of colonialism and imperialism. They are also commonly found in Colorado and Alaska. Miller is the third most common, Johnson is the second most common, and Smith is the first most common. The most common surnames of Jewish origin in the UK Geographical Surnames Surnames originally derived from geographic features or location names Occupational Surnames Surnames originally derived from trades, jobs or occupations Name-based Surnames Surnames originally derived from parental names, given names, nicknames, etc. On my Mothers side, they changed Stueland (SP?) Hudson is a name of English origin meaning "Hugh's son". Had a very good friend with an unusual first name. My wife and I are going up the west coast of Norway this summer by ship. National- Rank: #90- Number of babies in 2021: 3,917. interpretations. That way the grass/feed from the main farm could be harvested and kept as winter feed. I cant find any information about her either. My grandma had Antonson and Andreassen. Hallo! And Vatland is really our only clue. See the limitations of this data source. Ash trees have not had manysevere pest and disease concerns up until recently. Anderson is the second most common, and Johnson is the first most common. I want to learn more and am lost. Im also looking for Bratten family out of Oslo. He quoted one Norwegian immigrant who said the immigration office couldnt get his accent and mistook his name with his Norwegian home town and said is this your family name? The Norwegian said he quickly thought ok new country new name so he accepted what the immigration official put down which was Roebeck, (The town he came from in Norway was Drobak on the Oslo fjord). The following tables show the five most frequent given names, by State, for male and female births in 2000. As colonizers, the British brought, and spread, their surnames and naming conventions throughout the USand those names and systems are still in use today. Whats the origin of it? The farm they came from dneskr was in Adneskaar Vest-Agder. How about the last name of Twito? When he arrived in Minnesota, he changed his name to Reier Reierson. List of most common surnames in South America. fr seed, ska disperse (discard) , probably a useful farming function name, Erik. The largest reported ancestry in Massachusetts is Irish, so it makes sense that Sullivan is their third most common last name. This list of the five most common last names in Asia shows the immense population of its biggest country. My grandfathers name was Nils Gismervik from the Rogaland area of Norway. Its compound leaves turn a purple-green shade with change in season. The bark is light grey to brown, and it is furrowed into interconnecting corky ridges in a diamond arrangement. I am missing something, but dont know what and where else to look. My maiden name is Areklett. Johnsen(20,650)12. National- Rank: #22- Number of babies in 2021: 8,713. That farm was flat with a lot of rocks, so the cows could have legs of equal length. Vikings as a group never existed, Viking was the journeys or expeditions that the Norsemen undertook. Do you have suggestions/ideas about these and/or meanings? Take a look at the map or our list below and see the most common last names in. According to listings in the white pages, Smith is one of the most common last names in almost every state of the United States. My maiden name is Winje, modified at Ellis Island from Vinje, a town west of Oslo? If he hadnt kept BRUSTAD as his middle name I dont think I would ever have found him. The second most common is Johnson and Smith takes first place in the Constitution State. Numbers are rounded. That surprised me a little, as I had expected it to be higher. He was later found to be living and subsequently died in Australia in 1984. Det er mange Lund-navn fra forskjellige steder i Norge Norge (Bde Lund og Lunde). For instance, if you go back more than two or three generations, problems quickly arise. National- Rank: #28- Number of babies in 2021: 8,067, You may also like: Highest-rated Class of 2022 football recruits from Wisconsin. I too am an Overbye descendent and have heard a bit about the farm, however that story about the cows is very interesting! etc. My family name is Jacobson. Johnson is the second most common and Smith is the first most common. She earned a BA in English from the University of Connecticut, We are no longer supporting IE (Internet Explorer), 50 astonishing facts you never knew about each state, the only U.S. state whose name can be typed on just one row of keys, the state will pay you $1,000 a year to move there, only one letter thats not in any U.S. state name, no one outside of your state will understand these slang words, the best free tourist attractions in every state, the 50 best family travel destinations in every state, the most popular craft beers from each state, the most difficult-to-pronounce towns in every state, the strangest food laws youll find in every state, the most bike-friendly cities in every state, Vermonts state capital is the only one in the U.S. without a single McDonalds, its also actually illegal to swear in public in Virginia, Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information. You may also like: Most popular boy names in the 70s in Wisconsin. 5. According to linguists and anthropologists, last names tend to fall broadly into about five categories: A surname can also be a combination of these categories (for instance Smith refers to the occupation of blacksmithing, the patronymic lineage of being descended from blacksmiths, and notion of being from the working class). I was wondering what the origin of his family name is? He was born in 1899. Thanks. So disappointed neither family name is on the list! I believe it was changed from Tveit when my ancestors came to the US. men in my family. share our stories with your audience. They have a smooth, grayish bark identifiable through blisters filled with balsam pitch or resin. On young trees, the bark is thinner and greenish-gray, but on mature trees, the bark is grey, thick, and deeply carved. In the Mountain State, the third most common last name is Johnson, the second most common is Miller, and the first is Smith. The most common last name in California is Garcia. His name is Erling Jan Dastol (the Norwegian a and o). Fascinating reading! National- Rank: #8- Number of babies in 2021: 11,501. Johnson is the second most common and Smith is the first most common. Sugar Maple ( Acer saccharum) Sugar Maple (acer saccharum) Sugar Maple, Wisconsin's state tree, is one of the hardiest and long-lived maples. My father in law 100% Norwegian with name Mollerud shortened to Ruud here. The leaves turn a gorgeous golden-yellow color in the fall. My mother thinks its a Danish name but I think its more likely Norwegian in origin. All rights reserved. So very wonderful to connect with you! any info about the Kalsem or Kalsheim Family Farm would be greatly appreciated/, My triple great grandfather was Kolstad. Ive been searching for my husbands family for some time. The list was initially created by searching for the most common last names in German telephone books. as well as image rights, data visualizations, forward planning tools, Wondering about the name Akervold, I assume it was spelled differently way back when. The Quaking Aspen is a short-lived tree with a height of 60 to 70 feet and a round crown. It grows in moist places; however, it also grows on well-drained slopes and is found throughout most of the state, except in the southwest. I found out that my birth dads family was mostly German and some came from the Netherlands. Here are some of the most common trees in the state: Sugar Maple, Wisconsins state tree, is one of the hardiest and long-lived maples. The 5 Strategies You Must Be Using to Improve 160+ SAT Points, How to Get a Perfect 1600, by a Perfect Scorer, Free Complete Official SAT Practice Tests. Theres a good chance no one outside of your state will understand these slang words. Mlle=mill, rud=clearing. Reaching a height of 30 to 50 feet, the Boxelder Maple has fragile limbs and branches with an unsymmetrical, open crown. Tracing your family ancestry in Norway is a relatively straightforward affair, that is until you get to the pivotal year of 1923. Greetings from Germany. Another common way of distinguishing people would be 'son of', for example Johnson (son of John), Richardson, Wilson, Harrison etc. The influence of Islam is notable, as all of Africas most common last names are Islamic in origin. There is a house on the coast in Kristiansand, once owned by my great grandfather which is now owned by the chairman of the Pulitzer Prize committee! Get Free Guides to Boost Your SAT/ACT Score, Why some last names are more common than others. These special surnames will inspire anyone to go forth and create something amazing. Melhus. People with dark hair or a swarthy complexion are mostly the bearers of this name.