NameCensus.

UK surname

Mortensen

A Danish patronymic surname meaning "son of Morten," derived from the Latin name Martinus, referring to the Roman god Mars.

In the 1881 census there were 8 people recorded with the Mortensen surname, ranking it #32,581 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 154, ranked #23,293, up from #32,581 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to No data. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Thanet, Wirral and Kingston upon Hull.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Mortensen is 170 in 2010. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 1825.0%.

1881 census count

8

Ranked #32,581

Modern count

154

2016, ranked #23,293

Peak year

2010

170 bearers

Map years

3

1998 to 2016

Key insights

  • Mortensen had 8 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #32,581 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 154 in 2016, ranked #23,293.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 60 in 1911.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Diverse Educated Urban Singles.

Mortensen surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Mortensen surname density by area, 2016 modern.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Mortensen 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
1861 historical 6 #33,230
1881 historical 8 #32,581
1891 historical 6 #33,800
1901 historical 49 #28,696
1911 historical 60 #26,808
1997 modern 104 #26,351
1998 modern 120 #24,793
1999 modern 130 #23,805
2000 modern 144 #22,357
2001 modern 138 #22,647
2002 modern 137 #23,198
2003 modern 146 #22,069
2004 modern 151 #21,720
2005 modern 152 #21,572
2006 modern 155 #21,477
2007 modern 157 #21,546
2008 modern 164 #21,137
2009 modern 157 #22,271
2010 modern 170 #21,560
2011 modern 161 #22,187
2012 modern 145 #23,780
2013 modern 152 #23,438
2014 modern 151 #23,745
2015 modern 155 #23,194
2016 modern 154 #23,293

Geography

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Where Mortensens are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around No data. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Thanet, Wirral, Kingston upon Hull, Canterbury and Camden. 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 No data No data

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Thanet 008 Thanet
2 Wirral 030 Wirral
3 Kingston upon Hull 030 Kingston upon Hull, City of
4 Canterbury 004 Canterbury
5 Camden 025 Camden

Forenames

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First names often paired with Mortensen

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

Historical female names

No Forenames Found

Historical male names

No Forenames Found

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Mortensen

Modern surname records can be compared with neighbourhood classifications. For Mortensen, 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 Mortensen surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Diverse Educated Urban Singles, within Multicultural and Educated Urbanites. This does not mean every Mortensen 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, Mortensen 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

Mortensen 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

Mortensen 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 Mortensen 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 Mortensen, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.

Meaning and origin of Mortensen

The surname Mortensen is of Danish origin, with roots tracing back to the Middle Ages. It is a patronymic surname, which means it was originally derived from the given name of the bearer's father or ancestor.

The name Mortensen is believed to have originated from the Old Norse personal name "Mördr," which means "murder" or "killing." This name was likely given to a strong or fierce warrior or hunter. Over time, the name evolved into the Danish form "Morten," which is the equivalent of the English name "Martin."

One of the earliest recorded instances of the Mortensen surname can be found in the Danish Census of 1787, where several families with this name were listed as residents of various regions across Denmark.

In the 19th century, the Mortensen surname gained prominence with the birth of Viggo Mortensen (1858-1950), a Danish painter and illustrator known for his depictions of rural life in Denmark. His works are displayed in several museums across Scandinavia.

Another notable figure was Hans Mortensen (1817-1899), a Danish architect who designed several prominent buildings in Copenhagen, including the Ny Carlsberg Glyptotek museum and the Thorvaldsens Museum.

The Mortensen surname also has a strong presence in Norway, where it is often spelled as "Mortensen" or "Mortenson." One of the earliest recorded instances of this variant spelling can be traced back to the 16th century, when a man named Jørgen Mortenson was listed as a resident of Bergen, Norway.

In the United States, the Mortensen surname gained recognition with the birth of Mortensen M. Mortensen (1876-1958), a Danish-American businessman and philanthropist who co-founded the Mortensen Construction Company in Minneapolis, Minnesota.

Another noteworthy figure was Viggo Mortensen (born 1958), the American actor and producer of Danish descent, best known for his roles in films such as "The Lord of the Rings" trilogy and "Green Book."

Throughout history, the Mortensen surname has been associated with various professions, including artists, architects, businessmen, and more recently, actors and filmmakers. While its origins can be traced back to the Viking era, the name continues to be a prominent part of Scandinavian culture and heritage.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Mortensen families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Mortensen 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. Northumberland leads with 2 Mortensens recorded in 1881 and an index of 17.23x.

County Total Index
Northumberland 2 17.23x
Berwickshire 1 106.38x
Kent 1 3.76x
Lancashire 1 1.08x
Lincolnshire 1 8.02x
Middlesex 1 1.28x
Midlothian 1 9.57x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. North Shields in Northumberland leads with 2 Mortensens recorded in 1881 and an index of 869.57x.

Place Total Index
North Shields 2 869.57x
Coldingham 1 1250.00x
Great Grimsby 1 126.58x
Leith North 1 5000.00x
Liverpool 1 17.79x
St George In East 1 188.68x
Strood 1 666.67x

Top male names

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

Name Count
Anders 1
Anen 1
Christen 1
David 1
H. 1
Ole 1

Top occupations

Occupational titles are kept as recorded and later transcribed, so related jobs, spelling variants and mistakes stay separate. Scholar was the census term for a child in education. That means the other rows often tell you more about adult work in Mortensen households.

FAQ

Mortensen surname: questions and answers

How common was the Mortensen surname in 1881?

In 1881, 8 people were recorded with the Mortensen surname. That placed it at #32,581 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Mortensen surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 154 in 2016. That gives Mortensen a modern rank of #23,293.

What does the Mortensen surname mean?

A Danish patronymic surname meaning "son of Morten," derived from the Latin name Martinus, referring to the Roman god Mars.

What does the Mortensen map show?

The map shows local surname concentration for the selected year. Darker areas have a stronger concentration of Mortensen 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.