Surname Jessen - Meaning and Origin

Unveiling the Saga of the Jessens: A Journey Through Genes and the Viking Ancestry

As an individual enthralled by the mystery behind family trees, the results from my iGENEA DNA test have led me on an unexpected journey. What was supposed to be a simple answer to my ancestry transformed into a thrilling chase to trace the roots of my family name - Jessen.

L. Jessen

Jessen: What does the surname Jessen mean?

The surname Jessen is of Danish origin, derived from the Old Norse personal name 'Jesse', which itself is a Norse version of the Hebrew name 'Yishay'. In Hebrew, the meaning of 'Yishay' is translated as 'gift' or 'wealthy'. Therefore, it's suggested that one possible meaning of Jessen could be 'son of Jesse' or 'descendant of Jesse', following patronymic naming conventions in Norse culture. Moreover, it may also have been used to identify individuals linked to a geographical location. Notably, there is also a town in Germany named Jessen. Notwithstanding, the exact interpretation of the surname can significantly vary depending on its historical and regional usage. However, like many surnames, Jessen may not have a specific 'meaning' as such, beyond its use to identify familial relationships, professing the lineage or descent from an ancestor.

Jessen: Where does the name Jessen come from?

The surname Jessen is of German origin, derived from the personal name Jesse, who was the father of King David in the Bible. The suffix "sen" is a patronymic indication, common in many Germanic and Scandinavian countries, meaning "son of", thus Jessen would mean "son of Jesse".

This surname is not exclusive to Germany, it is also prevalent in Denmark as naming conventions in countries with Germanic languages often follow similar structures. Within Denmark, the surname would imply 'son of Jes', a shortened or variant form of the name Jesper.

In the United States, some bearers of the surname could trace their origins back to German or Danish immigrants.

Although the name is widely disseminated, its highest concentrations can be found in Germany and Denmark.

Variations of the surname Jessen

The surname Jessen is of Germanic origin and has various variants, spellings, and similar surnames. Some examples include Jesson, Jessin, Jessyn, and Jesson. The name is patronymic, meaning it was originally based on the name of a father or paternal ancestor. In this case, it likely originated from the personal name Jess or Jes, potentially short versions of longer names such as Jesse or Jessiah.

In terms of other related surnames, there can be similarities found in the names Jess, Jesser, and Jessop. Many German surnames have regional versions as well, so it's plausible that variations could exist depending on geographical location in the German-speaking world.

There are also Scandinavian versions of this surname, like Jessenius, which is derived from the same root but with the Latin suffix "ius," often used in humanistic names during the renaissance period.

Lastly, some people may also change the spelling over generations depending on immigration and language adaptations. For example, the surname may have been anglicized or Americanized, loosing or changing some letters to fit better into the English language, like becoming Jesson or Jessin in English-speaking countries.

Famous people with the name Jessen

• Kevin Jessen: German professional ice hockey goaltender
• Tyler Jessen: Canadian former professional baseball catcher
• Julian Jessen: German professional footballer currently playing for VfL Wolfsburg
• Jillian Jessen: Dutch professional model represented by Elite Model Management
• Holger Jessen: German bobsledder who competed at the 1996 Winter Olympics
• Katie Jessen: American former professional basketball player
• Norman Jessen: Danish professional racing cyclist from 1979 to 1988
• Gunther Jessen: German professional footballer
• Annalena Jessen: German professional archer
• Thorsten Jessen: German professional footballer
• Merete Jessen: Danish runner who competed at the 2008 and 2012 Summer Olympics
• Per Jessen: Danish Olympic handballer and coach
• Chris Jessen: British doctor, TV presenter, and author
• Jeremy Jessen: Australian rules footballer
• Roy Jessen: Norwegian speed skater who competed in the 1928 Winter Olympics
• Reinhard Jessen: German bobsledder who competed in the late 1990s

Other surnames

JesseJesseeJesseitJesselJesseman