Surname Severins - Meaning and Origin
all surnames with 'S'
Severins: What does the surname Severins mean?
The last name Severins is a patronymic surname originating from the Scandinavian languages of Denmark, Norway, and Sweden. The surname is derived from the personal name Severin, which is composed of two elements: "sever" meaning "bare, bald" and "vein" which means "friend". Combined, these elements can be interpreted to mean "true friend".
The name Severin itself originated as a Christened name and was particularly popular in the Middle Ages in Christian countries as a reference to Saint Severin, a 4th-century Irish hermit who dedicated his life to helping the poor. As such, the name is extremely old and can be found in records dating as far back as late 12th-century Italy.
The name Severin and its derivatives can also refer to management, as well as to morals and discretion. This is believed to derive from its original meaning of “true friend” since one’s actions often speak louder than words.
Today, the last name Severins is common in many countries around the world, but is particularly common in Denmark, Norway, and Sweden. It may also appear as "Söfverin", which is a Swedish variant. In the United States, the surname is most prevalent in western states such as California and Washington.
Order DNA origin analysisSeverins: Where does the name Severins come from?
The last name Severins is primarily found in southwest Germany, specifically, along the Rhine river. It is most common in the federal German states of Baden-Württemberg, Rheinland-Pfalz, and Bavaria. It is not as prevalent in other areas of Germany, such as the northern and eastern parts of the country.
Moreover, Severins can also be found in other parts of Europe, mainly among German-speaking populations. Belgium and the Netherlands record the most cases, while Austria and Switzerland have a notable presence of the name Severins. There is also a very small presence in France, especially in the Alsace region.
In the United States, the last name Severins is seldom found. While a few cases of Severins exist, it is mostly due to a recent ancestor that immigrated to the country. Cases are also often found among the descendants of European immigrants in Canada, Australia, and South America.
The spelling of the name can also vary: for instance, Severin, Severine, Severino, Sebastien, and Sebastian are all found in different countries across Europe. As such, it is a common name across a multitude of countries.
Variations of the surname Severins
The surname Severins has a few variants spellings and surnames that have the same origin. It is an Old German name and comes from severin, which is derived from the Latin word saevus, meaning “fierce”. It was an occupational name that referred to a hunter.
The variants and spellings of the name Severins include Sevrin, Severus, Severn, Severens, Severyns, and Severyn. There are also a few other surnames that may have the same origin, such as Servain, Servais, Servaes, and Servaise.
In some cases, the surname has been altered due to immigration and other factors. For example, Severin may have been anglicized as Severance or Severson.
Severins may also appear with different prefixes and suffixes depending on the country of origin. In Germany, the surnames may use the prefix “von” or the suffixes “sohn” for son or “mann” for man. In other countries, such as Slovakia, the surname can also be found using the suffix “nick” for son.
Over time, the surname may have also been changed due to marriage or adoption. For example, “de Severin” or “du Severin” may have been used when a woman got married and adopted her husband’s surname.
Famous people with the name Severins
- Jesper Severin: is a Danish professional GTA 5 player and streamer who has represented Denmark in several international tournaments.
- Marianne Severin: is a Danish politician and former Minister for Social Affairs and Integration.
- Michael Severin: is the lead singer for the punk rock band The Kooks.
- Ernst Severin: is a Danish industrialist who started the company ‘Severin’ in 1970.
- Søren Severin: is a Danish former Olympic badminton player who won a bronze medal at the 1996 Atlanta Olympics.
- Leif Severin: is a Danish ferro-alloy expert and civil engineer who works as a consultant engineer for the Danish Ministry for Industry and Growth.
- Jens Severin: is a Danish professional footballer who currently plays for the Danish club A Danish football club.
- Lise Severin: is a Danish author and children’s book illustrator whose books have won several awards.
- Rasmus Severin: is a Danish actor best known for his leading roles in films such as Scandinavian Dancer and Target for the Sun.
- Rasmus Severin Jørgensen: is a Danish civil engineer and professor at Aalborg University. He specializes in coastal engineering.