Surname Rittersen - Meaning and Origin

Rittersen: What does the surname Rittersen mean?

The surname Rittersen is of German origin, likely derived from the Middle High German term ‘ritter’, which means ‘knight’. The name might originally have been given to a knight or someone of noble rank, indicating that those bearing the name now are descended from a proud and honorable family.

The name could also have originated as a topographic nickname, which is when a surname is derived from a geographical feature near where a person lived. Those bearing the surname may have originally lived near a small body of water known as a ‘ritter’, which is a shallow lake formed when water overflows onto flat land.

The first known record of the name Rittersen dates back to 1588, when a man by the name of Carl Rittersen was born in Holstein, a regional area of Germany located in central Europe. The name made its way to the United States in the late 1800s, with several Rittersens listed in the 1900 United States Census.

Today, the name is relatively uncommon, with only a very small fraction of the population bearing the surname. Those that do, however, honor their ancestors by bearing a name with a proud legacy rooted in German history.

Rittersen: Where does the name Rittersen come from?

The surname Rittersen can be found in various countries today. It is particularly common in Northern Europe where it is especially prevalent in Norway, Sweden, and Denmark. It is thought to be an old Norwegian name derived from the Old Norse word ‘hrit’ which means edge or side.

In Norway, the surname Rittersen is particularly prevalent in the counties of Akershus and Oslo. Historians believe that the name originates from the medieval time, and our family likely was part of the ruling class.

Rittersen is also found in the Netherlands, Belgium, and areas of Germany where it is thought to have migrated to in the 19th century. It has also been revealed in certain areas of Canada and the United States too.

Rittersen is a fairly rare name in the United States, but recognition of the name has been increasing as more individuals with the surname are immigrating to the country. A small pockets of Rittersen families can be found in the states of Illinois, New York and Vermont.

The surname Rittersen is quite rare but it is still alive and its prevalence can be found in certain areas of the world.

Variations of the surname Rittersen

The Rittersen surname can come in many variants, spellings and surnames of the same origin. Some examples include Ritter, Rydersen, Ryders, Rydersen, Rittersen, Ritterman, Rieder, Rider, Ruther, Ruths, Routhers and Rothers.

The name Rittersen is a German or Scandinavian surname, which has evolved from the German root word "ritter" meaning knight or warrior. The surname was originally a nickname for someone who acted in a way characteristic of a knight, such as bravery or chivalry.

Ritter is a common alternative version of Rittersen, as are Rydersen and Rydersen, which is derived from the German lower-class title of "ryder" or "rider", originally meaning one who rode horses.

Rieder and Rider are also potential variants of Ritter, with Rieder literally meaning "rider" and Rider having been used to describe an equestrian.

Ruther is a variant of Rittersen that in some cases can be linked to the Latin word for a messenger, whilst Routhers was a derived from the Old French word for a pilgrim or crusader.

Similarly, Ruths is derived from a nickname for someone who was particularly fearless, often used as a reference to a divine protector. Finally, Rothers is related to the old German word "roder", meaning "to roar".

Famous people with the name Rittersen

• David Rittersen: Dutch singer, songwriter, performer, and actor.
• John Rittersen: American artist best known for his landscapes.
• Elizabeth Rittersen: Norwegian actress who has performed on the stage, in television, and in films.
• Per Rittersen: Australian musician, composer, and recording artist.
• Peter Rittersen: Dutch author and scholar.
• Robert Rittersen: Norwegian artist and photographer.
• Edvard Rittersen: Swedish artist and illustrator.
• Jørgen Rittersen: Norwegian fiddler, singer, and songwriter.
• Otto Rittersen: Danish actor and singer.
• Carlotte Rittersen: Danish singer-songwriter and performer.
• Henrik Rittersen: Danish composer, conductor, and orchestra leader.
• Jon Rittersen: Danish musician and songwriter.
• Kåre Rittersen: Norwegian experimental composer and artist.
• Jens Rittersen: Danish musician and composer.
• Hans Rittersen: Norwegian musician, teacher, and composer.
• Tor Rittersen: Norwegian folk singer and songwriter.
• Bjørn Rittersen: Norwegian folk musician and storyteller.
• Line Rittersen: Danish architect and designer.
• Karen Rittersen: Norwegian singer and songwriter.
• Hans-Kristian Rittersen: Norwegian violist and conductor.

Other surnames

Ritters