NameCensus.

UK surname

Andersen

Son of Anders, a Scandinavian patronymic surname derived from the Greek name Andreas, meaning "manly" or "brave."

In the 1881 census there were 167 people recorded with the Andersen surname, ranking it #14,443 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 907, ranked #6,265, up from #14,443 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to London parishes, Gateshead and Toxteth Park. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Kensington and Chelsea, Harlow and Wandsworth.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Andersen is 910 in 2014. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 443.1%.

1881 census count

167

Ranked #14,443

Modern count

907

2016, ranked #6,265

Peak year

2014

910 bearers

Map years

7

1881 to 2016

Key insights

  • Andersen had 167 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #14,443 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 907 in 2016, ranked #6,265.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 308 in 1901.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Diverse Educated Urban Singles.

Andersen surname distribution map

The map shows where the Andersen surname is concentrated in each census or modern distribution year. Darker areas mean a stronger local concentration.

Distribution map

Andersen surname density by area, 1881 census.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Andersen over time

The table below tracks recorded surname counts and rank from the 19th-century census years through the modern adult-register period.

Year Period Count Rank
1851 historical 22 #29,378
1861 historical 22 #31,140
1881 historical 167 #14,443
1891 historical 175 #16,467
1901 historical 308 #11,446
1911 historical 287 #11,784
1997 modern 663 #7,554
1998 modern 706 #7,425
1999 modern 769 #7,002
2000 modern 766 #6,986
2001 modern 755 #6,952
2002 modern 787 #6,866
2003 modern 762 #6,921
2004 modern 773 #6,861
2005 modern 796 #6,633
2006 modern 775 #6,801
2007 modern 798 #6,707
2008 modern 806 #6,705
2009 modern 822 #6,726
2010 modern 899 #6,389
2011 modern 876 #6,463
2012 modern 863 #6,446
2013 modern 891 #6,384
2014 modern 910 #6,322
2015 modern 907 #6,299
2016 modern 907 #6,265

Geography

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Where Andersens are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around London parishes, Gateshead, Toxteth Park, Edinburgh and Tynemouth (Chirton, Preston, Murton, Whitley, Monkseaton), Earsdon (Earsdon). These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Kensington and Chelsea, Harlow, Wandsworth and North Kesteven. Treat these as concentration signals, not proof that every family line began there.

Some modern areas include a three-digit suffix, such as Leeds 110. The suffix is a small-area code, so it stays in the table while the prose uses the plain place name.

Top historical parishes

Rank Parish Area
1 London parishes London 3
2 Gateshead Durham
3 Toxteth Park Lancashire
4 Edinburgh Edinburgh
5 Tynemouth (Chirton, Preston, Murton, Whitley, Monkseaton), Earsdon (Earsdon) Northumberland

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Kensington and Chelsea 007 Kensington and Chelsea
2 Kensington and Chelsea 006 Kensington and Chelsea
3 Harlow 008 Harlow
4 Wandsworth 006 Wandsworth
5 North Kesteven 006 North Kesteven

Forenames

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First names often paired with Andersen

These lists show first names that appear often with the Andersen surname in historical and recent records.

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Andersen

Modern surname records can be compared with neighbourhood classifications. For Andersen, this points to the kinds of places where the surname is most concentrated today.

These neighbourhood labels describe areas, not individual people. They are useful because surnames often cluster through family history, migration, housing patterns and local work. A surname can be strongest in one type of neighbourhood even when people with that name live across the country.

The UK classification gives the national picture. The London classification is more specific to the capital, where housing, age profile, tenure and population mix can look quite different from the rest of the UK.

UK neighbourhood type

UK Output Area Classification

Supergroup

Multicultural and Educated Urbanites

Group

Diverse Educated Urban Singles

Nationally, the Andersen surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Diverse Educated Urban Singles, within Multicultural and Educated Urbanites. This does not mean every Andersen household fits that profile, but it gives a useful signal about where the modern surname distribution is strongest.

Read profile summary

Group profile

This Group includes many never-married individuals not living with dependent children. Many were born in EU countries and are now aged between 25-44. This Group is characterised by its ethnic group diversity, although those identifying as Asian are not well represented. Affiliation with the Christian religion amongst residents is low. Reported disability rates are low. Neighbourhoods include some central locations in London and other major cities. Private renting is the norm, and there is some overcrowding. Many individuals are educated to degree level, and full-time employment is common, particularly in managerial and professional occupations.

Wider pattern

Established populations comprising ethnic minorities together with persons born outside the UK predominate in this Supergroup. Residents present diverse personal characteristics and circumstances: while generally well-educated and practising skilled occupations, some residents live in overcrowded rental sector housing. English may not be the main language used by people in this Group. Although the typical adult resident is middle aged, single person households are common and marriage rates are low by national standards. This Supergroup predominates in Inner London, with smaller enclaves in many other densely populated metropolitan areas.

London neighbourhood type

London Output Area Classification

Supergroup

The Greater London Mix

Group

Social Rented Sector Professional Support Workers

Within London, Andersen is most associated with areas classed as Social Rented Sector Professional Support Workers, part of The Greater London Mix. This gives the surname a London-specific profile rather than forcing the capital into the same pattern as the rest of the country.

Read profile summary

Group profile

Mainly located in Inner London, these neighbourhoods retain a diverse employment structure, with some concentration in associated professional and technical occupations rather than skilled trades or construction. Social renting is more common and levels of homeownership are low. Many residents identify as Black. There is a lower than average rate of marriage or civil partnership, few that are very old (85 or over) and higher than average incidence of disability.

Wider London pattern

A Supergroup embodying London's diversity in many respects, apart from low numbers of residents identifying as of Bangladeshi, Indian, Pakistani or Other (non-Chinese) Asian ethnicity. There is lower than average prevalence of families with dependent children, while there are above average occurrences of never-married individuals and single-person households. The age distribution is skewed towards younger, single residents and couples without children, with many individuals identifying as of mixed or multiple ethnicity. Social rented or private rented housing is slightly more prevalent than average, and many residents live in flats. Individuals typically work in professional and associated roles in public administration, education or health rather than in elementary occupations in agriculture, energy, water, construction or manufacturing. Incidence of students is slightly below average. Individuals declaring no religion are more prevalent than average and non-use of English at home is below average.

Healthy neighbourhoods

Access to healthy assets and hazards

Andersen is most concentrated in decile 10 for access to healthy assets and hazards. This places the surname towards the healthier end of the index.

Lower deciles point towards weaker access to healthy assets or stronger exposure to local hazards. Higher deciles point towards stronger access and fewer hazards.

10
Lower access Higher access

Neighbourhood deprivation

Index of Multiple Deprivation

Andersen falls in decile 10 for neighbourhood deprivation. This puts the surname towards the less deprived end of the index.

Decile 1 represents the more deprived end of the scale. Decile 10 represents the less deprived end.

10
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

The modern neighbourhood pattern for Andersen is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of 30-40 mbit/s.

The scale below places that band in context, from slower local download bands through to faster ones.

6
Slower band Faster band

Area snapshot

Ethnic group estimate

Most common ethnic group estimate
White - Other

This describes the area pattern most associated with Andersen, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.

Meaning and origin of Andersen

The surname Andersen is of Scandinavian origin, specifically Danish and Norwegian. It is a patronymic surname, meaning it was originally derived from the father's given name, Anders, which is a form of the biblical name Andrew. The name Andrew derives from the Greek word "andros," meaning man or warrior.

In the Middle Ages, surnames were not commonly used in Scandinavia, and people were typically identified by their given name, their father's name, and sometimes a descriptive element or location. Andersen emerged as a surname when it became necessary to distinguish individuals with the same given name, and the patronymic -sen was added to the father's name.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the surname Andersen can be found in the Danish Census Book from the 16th century, where several individuals with the name are listed. The name also appears in various Norwegian church records and legal documents from the same period.

In Denmark, the Andersen surname has been associated with several notable figures throughout history. One of the most famous is Hans Christian Andersen (1805-1875), the celebrated Danish author and writer of beloved fairy tales such as "The Ugly Duckling" and "The Little Mermaid."

Another prominent Danish Andersen was Carl Christian Andersen (1793-1877), a noted historian and writer who published works on Danish history and culture. In the field of science, Carl Andersen (1904-1998) was a Danish physicist who made significant contributions to the study of nuclear physics and particle accelerators.

In Norway, the Andersen surname is also well-represented. One notable Norwegian Andersen was Rasmus Bjørn Andersen (1801-1883), a pioneering educator and advocate for public education who established several schools and teacher training programs throughout the country.

Hans Nielsen Andersen (1852-1938) was a Norwegian businessman and politician who served as the Minister of Finance and later as the Prime Minister of Norway from 1910 to 1913. He played a significant role in shaping Norway's economic policies in the early 20th century.

These are just a few examples of the many individuals throughout history who have carried the Andersen surname, reflecting its long-standing presence and significance in Scandinavian culture and society.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Andersen families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Andersen surname. Use the location tables for concentration, then the name and occupation tables for the people behind the surname.

Top counties

Total is the county count. Frequency and index adjust for local population size, so they are better concentration signals. Midlothian leads with 27 Andersens recorded in 1881 and an index of 12.37x.

County Total Index
Midlothian 27 12.37x
Middlesex 22 1.35x
Northumberland 15 6.19x
Lancashire 11 0.57x
Surrey 10 1.26x
Lanarkshire 9 1.71x
Cornwall 8 4.34x
Durham 8 1.65x
Cheshire 7 1.95x
Fife 5 5.19x
Glamorgan 5 1.76x
Herefordshire 5 7.49x
Lincolnshire 5 1.92x
Essex 4 1.24x
Gloucestershire 4 1.25x
Devon 3 0.88x
Dorset 3 2.81x
Kent 3 0.54x
Nottinghamshire 3 1.37x
Yorkshire 3 0.19x
Monmouthshire 2 1.70x
Renfrewshire 2 1.58x
Hampshire 1 0.30x
Roxburghshire 1 3.39x
Sussex 1 0.36x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Leith North in Midlothian leads with 24 Andersens recorded in 1881 and an index of 5714.29x.

Place Total Index
Leith North 24 5714.29x
Liverpool 9 7.67x
Barony 7 5.25x
Bethnal Green London 7 9.89x
North Shields 7 144.63x
Rotherhithe 7 34.77x
South Shields 7 162.04x
Great Grimsby 5 30.25x
Prudhoe Castle 5 1063.83x
Weobley 5 1020.41x
Cardiff St Mary 4 25.61x
St Blazey 4 246.91x
Dunfermline 3 20.23x
Enfield 3 28.06x
Falmouth 3 45.94x
North Leverton 3 1764.71x
Poplar London 3 9.76x
Wallasey 3 245.90x
Berkeley 2 112.36x
Birkenhead 2 6.98x
Deptford St Paul 2 4.67x
Gloucester St Mary Crypt 2 408.16x
Hackney London 2 2.19x
Leigh 2 178.57x
Maldon All Sts 2 312.50x
Mile End Old Town London 2 5.77x
Newington 2 3.32x
Newport 2 35.59x
Paddington London 2 3.34x
South Leith 2 8.14x
West Teignmouth 2 77.22x
Weymouth 2 98.52x
Bedlington 1 12.36x
Bootle Cum Linacre 1 6.51x
Burntisland 1 37.04x
Cardiff St John 1 10.80x
Chatton 1 135.14x
Cheadle 1 14.56x
Elswick 1 5.17x
Glasgow 1 1.07x
Goole 1 37.04x
Greenock East 1 2000.00x
Greenock Newor Middle 1 909.09x
Higher Bebington 1 43.48x
Kensington London 1 1.10x
Kingstonupon Hull 1 77.52x
Kinning Park 1 1250.00x
Kirkdale 1 3.08x
Lasswade 1 20.04x
Melrose 1 39.22x
Mevagissey 1 81.30x
Plymouth St Andrew 1 3.83x
Poole St James 1 24.88x
Scarborough 1 6.82x
Seaford 1 107.53x
Shoreditch London 1 1.42x
Southampton 1 384.62x
Southwark St John 1 20.08x
St George In East London 1 6.53x
Stranton 1 6.13x
Wemyss 1 24.51x
Whitstable 1 36.63x

Top female names

These are the female first names most often recorded with the Andersen surname in 1881. Names are not merged, so initials, variant spellings and transcription quirks can appear as separate rows.

Name Count
Mary 4
Elizabeth 3
Alaxina 1
Alice 1
Ann 1
Annie 1
Clara 1
Emily 1
Emma 1
Frances 1
Minnie 1
Rebecca 1
Sarah 1
Stina 1
Susan 1

Top male names

These are the male first names most often recorded with the Andersen surname in 1881. Names are not merged, so initials, variant spellings and transcription quirks can appear as separate rows.

Name Count
Hans 6
Andreas 5
Carl 5
George 4
James 4
John 4
Jens 3
Johan 3
Peder 3
Anton 2
August 2
Gustav 2
J. 2
Julius 2
Lars 2
Ludvig 2
Olaf 2
William 2
Augustieus 1
Berciel 1
Bertie 1
Charles 1
Chris.Severen 1
Christian 1
Daniel 1
David 1
E. 1
Edv. 1
Edvard 1
Edward 1
Emil.J. 1
Eugush 1
Fonnes 1
Gunder 1
Gunerius 1
Gynter 1
Henry 1
Ingvals 1
Johanns 1
Julin 1
Karl 1
Kristen 1
Kristian 1
L.P.B. 1
Lawrence 1
Loren 1
Marineur 1
Nils 1
O. 1
Ole 1

FAQ

Andersen surname: questions and answers

How common was the Andersen surname in 1881?

In 1881, 167 people were recorded with the Andersen surname. That placed it at #14,443 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Andersen surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 907 in 2016. That gives Andersen a modern rank of #6,265.

What does the Andersen surname mean?

Son of Anders, a Scandinavian patronymic surname derived from the Greek name Andreas, meaning "manly" or "brave."

What does the Andersen map show?

The map shows local surname concentration for the selected year. Darker areas have a stronger concentration of Andersen bearers relative to the surrounding population.

What records is this surname page based on?

The historical counts come from census surname records. The modern counts and neighbourhood summaries come from later surname distribution records. Counts are recorded bearers in those records, not a live estimate of everyone with the name today.