Andersen

Andersen is a surname of Scandinavian origin derived from the given name Anders, the Danish and Norwegian form of Andreas (Andrew). The suffix -sen means “son of,” yielding a patrilineal name historically used in Denmark, Norway, and regions influenced by Danish and Norwegian naming practices. Variants include Andersdatter (daughter of Anders) and, in other languages, Andersson or Anderssen.

The name is most common in Denmark and Norway and is widely found among descendants of Nordic emigrants in North America and other parts of the world. As with many Scandinavian surnames, spelling variations and anglicization have occurred in immigrant communities.

Notable uses and associations include individuals with the surname and corporate entities. Hans Christian Andersen (1805–1875) is the best-known bearer, renowned for his fairy tales and contributions to world literature. In the corporate sphere, Andersen Windows refers to the well-known U.S. manufacturer of windows and doors, part of the Andersen Corporation. The term Andersen Consulting was the former name of the professional-services firm that relaunched as Accenture after a 2001 rebranding.

See also: Anderson and Andersson, related surnames with similar origins and different spellings in English and other languages.