Lauritsen

Lauritsen is a Danish patronymic surname meaning "son of Laurits." Laurits is a Danish given name derived from Laurentius, a Latin name associated with the meaning "laurelled" or "from Laurentum," and has long been used in Denmark. The surname belongs to a common Nordic pattern in which a son’s name is formed by adding the suffix -sen to a given name.

Variants and related forms include Lauritsen, Lauritzen, and Lauridsen. The spelling Lauritsen is the most widespread in Denmark; Lauritzen is also common in Danish and Norwegian usage. The name occurs in other Scandinavian communities and in North American populations descended from Danish immigrants.

Geographic distribution: In modern times it is most frequent in Denmark, with smaller concentrations in Norway and among Danish diaspora communities in the United States and Canada.

Notable people: Individuals bearing the surname Lauritsen have appeared in a range of professions, including science, sports, and public life, reflecting the surname's broad generational use in Danish society.

Overall, Lauritsen illustrates the Scandinavian practice of forming family names from a father's given name, preserving cultural and linguistic ties to Denmark and the broader Nordic region.