Surname Carstesen - Meaning and Origin
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Carstesen: What does the surname Carstesen mean?
The last name Carstesen (or Carstensen) is a patronymic surname derived from the given name Carsten. This Scandinavian name is usually a hypochoristic form of Christian, deriving from 'Kierstin', or a combination of the names Kari and Sten. It is believed that it originated in the 12th century.
The Carstensens could be found in the southern region of Jutland in Denmark, and were a cluster of families residing there in the 15th and 16th centuries. This group was also believed to have expanded into Lower Schleswig, a German-speaking region now part of Germany.
In the 17th century, some of the Carstenson family emigrated from Jutland, with the name becoming Carstenson in Germany. This spelling soon became most prevalent among Carstensens around the world and remains the most recognizable today.
The name Carstensen still carries some prestige and its members are generally considered to be members of the upper-middle class. Carstensens can still be found living in Germany, Denmark, Norway, and the United States.
The name Carstensen is a reminder of the great history of the northern Europeans, and today it symbolizes the heritage of a proud, distinguished people.
Order DNA origin analysisCarstesen: Where does the name Carstesen come from?
The last name Carstesen is commonly found in Scandinavia today, especially in Denmark and Norway. This is likely due to its roots as a Danish or Norwegian name derived from a given name, which became a family surname.
Carstesen is a patronymic surname, created from a given name plus the patronymic suffix “sen or son,” which was and often still is a common surname formation practice in Scandinavia. An early document of the Carstesen surname appeared in 1609 in the Örebro Parish, Västmanland, Sweden, and is associated with the Danish noble family of Carstensen.
There is an unusually large concentration of Carstesen’s in Århus and Statesvaerket (now part of Århus Kommune) in the southeastern Jutland province of Denmark. This suggests some migration to this area, likely for economic or educational opportunities.
Today, Carstesen’s continue to be a common surname in Scandinavian countries, though they have spread to other places in Europe, as well as the United States. It’s estimated that there are more than 4,000 individuals across the world with the last name Carstesen, making it one of the most common surnames in Scandinavia.
Variations of the surname Carstesen
The surname Carstesen is of Danish origin, and has various variants spelling and surnames of the same origin.
The most common variant of the surname Carstesen is Karseten, which is the mostly widely-used variant of the original Danish spelling. Other variants of the original spelling include Kaarseten, Karsaten, Karstensen, and Karsten.
Variations of the name Carstesen also include the variant spellings Carstenson, Carstensen, Carsen, Carsensen, Carssaton, Carstain, and Carston. This alternative spelling of the surname Carstesen has been used extensively throughout Scandinavia, including Denmark, Norway, and Sweden.
Variants of Carstesen can also be found in the United States. These variants include Karstensen, Carsen, Carsensen, Carstain, and Carston. There are also various anglicized versions of the name Carstesen such as Carter, Cartson, and Cartwright
Other surnames of the same origin as Carstesen include Cartesen, Kaltsen, Kastner, Kaastrup, Kastrup, Kaastrup, Kastrup, and Lassen.
All in all, these are just some of the variants, spellings, and surnames of the same origin for the surname Carstesen. Each variant has an interesting history and story behind it, though the origins of the name can be traced back to Denmark.
Famous people with the name Carstesen
- Peter Carstensen: Former Minister-President of Schleswig-Holstein (eight years in office) and former German Minister of Education and Research.
- Kanute Carstensen: Danish architect and designer of several buildings in Copenhagen and other cities.
- Sebastian Carstensen Cloppenburg: Danish painter, sculptor, and printmaker, known for his lyrical abstract landscapes which often show the influence of his Christian faith.
- Jens Carstensen: Danish physician and botanist, known for his research into botany and agrobotany, and his influential works in the field of agricultural reform.
- Catrin Carstensen: Swedish fashion designer, known for her unique combination of traditional tailoring with modern shapes and materials.
- August Carstensen: German politician, best known for his contributions to the founding of the German Empire in 1871.
- Peter Christian Carstensen: Danish organ builder, active in the 19th century, and known for his work in restoration and preservation of historical organs.
- Anders Carstensen: Danish painter, known for his work in the Swedish art movement known as the Sköldunga Age.
- Heine Carstensen: Danish-born sculptor, who is most well-known for his bronze statues of prominent personalities from Danish history.
- Charlotte Carstensen: German aviator who became Germany's first female para-glider pilot in 1981.