Surname Aarhus - Meaning and Origin
all surnames with 'A'
Aarhus: What does the surname Aarhus mean?
Aarhus is a Scandinavian last name, specifically from Denmark. It is derived from the name of the city, Aarhus, in Denmark, which is the second largest city in the country. The city's name, Aarhus, is believed to stem from the Old Danish name "Aros," which means "the mouth of the river," because the city is located at the mouth of the Aarhus River. The first part of the name 'Aar' is believed to mean river, especially a rapid river, and 'Hus' usually denotes a business, a place, or a house. So, when used as a surname, Aarhus might suggest ancestral origins from this city or vicinity. It's also important to note that Danish surnames often represent geographical features. However, it’s not always certain, and often the meaning or origin of a surname may differ from case to case, depending on a family's history or tradition.
Order DNA origin analysisAarhus: Where does the name Aarhus come from?
The surname Aarhus is of Norwegian origin, named after the city of Aarhus in Norway. It is considered a geographical or location-based surname, also known as a toponymic surname. These kinds of surnames were typically given based on a person's residence or birthplace. Over time, due to migration and changes in borders, such names have spread to different regions.
Today, the surname Aarhus is not extremely widespread and may not be very common in any particular region. However, it might be found more prevalently in regions with a significant Norwegian diaspora, such as in the United States, particularly in states like Minnesota and Wisconsin which have a significant Scandinavian-American population. Nonetheless, it should be noted that surname distribution can vary greatly and isn't necessarily concentrated in these areas.
It should also be noted that Aarhus is actually a city in Denmark, not Norway. The association of the surname with Norway might be due to the common Scandinavian roots or due to the surname's prevalence among people of Norwegian ancestry.
Variations of the surname Aarhus
Aarhus is a Danish surname, originating from the city of Aarhus in Denmark. It's not very common and its variations could similarly be quite unique and uncommon.
Possible variations and alternative spellings of this surname could be derived by shifting or changing the letter combinations: ""
- Aarhu
- Aarhuss
- Arhus
- Aarush
- Ahrus
In addition, it's possible that some people may have anglicized the name upon immigration to English-speaking countries, maybe changing it to something like:
- Arhouse
- Aarhouse
Surnames of similar origins could be other Danish city names or locations, such as:
- Odense
- Roskilde
- Vejle
However, as Aarhus is a place name, it doesn't have typical surname variants as you would find with more common, patronymic Scandinavian surnames like Andersen/Anderson or Johansen/Johanson.
Famous people with the name Aarhus
- Thomas Aarhus: Danish actor who has appeared in films such as Skyggen og Børn til Paradiset and Glade gæster.
- Philip Aarhus: Danish film director best known for directing the crime film Der 1998.
- Tove Aarhus: Danish actress, best known for her role as Copenhagen police chief in the television series Dicte.
- Bent Aarhus: Danish physicist and chemist who has been credited with introducing the scientific method to Denmark.
- Margit Aarhus: Danish painter and sculptor best known for her painting style of combining abstract expressionism with realism.
- Jakob Aarhus: Swiss-born Danish writer and art critic who was one of the leading figures of European Symbolism.
- Villy Aarhus: Danish composer who composed a number of operas, songs, and ballets.
- Ebba Aarhus: Danish singer who gained fame in the 1950s and 1960s, performing both traditional Danish and Scandinavian folk songs as well as her own compositions.
- Anders Aarhus: Danish sculptor and painter who held numerous exhibitions in Denmark and elsewhere.
- Poul Aarhus: Danish philologist and folklorist who made significant contributions to the study of Danish and Scanian dialects.