2000
#120,330
National surname rank
Recorded bearers 133
First available Census row
Per 100,000 0.05
Very Rare Last name
Callesen
A locational surname likely derived from a particular place name in Denmark.
According to the 2020 US Census Bureau surname tables, roughly 130 Americans carry the last name Callesen. That puts it at #147,221 in the national surname ranking, appearing at a frequency of 0.04 per 100,000 people (about 1 in 2,636,572 residents).
This page is the full Name Census profile for the Callesen surname. You will find the Census Bureau frequency data, a multi-census history view, an ancestry and ethnicity breakdown based on self-reported demographics, the name's meaning and origin where available, and answers to the most common questions people ask about this surname.
Bearers in the US
130
1 in 2,636,572
Census rank
#147,221
2020 decennial data
Per 100,000
0.0
Frequency rate
Recorded bearers
113
very rare in the US
Popularity narrative
The Census Bureau recorded 113 bearers of the surname Callesen in its 2020 decennial surname file. At a rate of 0.04 per 100,000 residents, it holds the 147221st position in the national surname ranking.
Among Census respondents with the surname Callesen, the largest self-reported group is White at 92.9%. The next largest groups are Hispanic (4.4%) and Asian/Pacific Islander (1.8%).
Origin
Meaning and origin of Callesen
The surname Callesen is of Danish origin, with roots dating back to the 16th century. It is believed to have originated in the northern regions of Denmark, particularly in the areas around Copenhagen and the surrounding islands. The name is derived from the Old Norse word "kalla," meaning "to call" or "to summon," combined with the suffix "-sen," which denotes patronymic lineage.
One of the earliest recorded instances of the Callesen surname can be found in the parish records of Helsingør, a town located on the eastern coast of Denmark, in the late 1500s. These records document the presence of a family bearing the name Callesen, suggesting their long-standing roots in the region.
During the 17th century, the Callesen name appeared in various ecclesiastical records and tax registers across Denmark. Notably, a certain Hans Callesen was listed as a landowner and farmer in the village of Gilleleje, located north of Copenhagen, in the year 1627.
In the 18th century, the Callesen surname became more widespread, with members of the family establishing themselves in various trades and professions. One notable figure was Jens Callesen (1723-1789), a prominent merchant and ship owner based in Copenhagen. His successful business ventures contributed to the economic prosperity of the city during that period.
The 19th century saw the Callesen name continue to gain prominence in Denmark. Of particular note was the writer and poet, Niels Callesen (1812-1887), whose works explored themes of Danish culture and national identity. His literary contributions earned him recognition among the intellectual circles of his time.
Another significant figure bearing the Callesen surname was Carl Callesen (1864-1932), a renowned architect who played a crucial role in the development of the National Romantic style in Danish architecture. His designs, which incorporated elements of traditional Danish craftsmanship and vernacular styles, left a lasting impact on the architectural landscape of the country.
As the 20th century unfolded, the Callesen name continued to be represented across various fields. One notable individual was Bodil Callesen (1924-2005), a respected actress and theater director who made significant contributions to the Danish performing arts scene.
While the Callesen surname has its roots firmly planted in Denmark, over the centuries, it has also spread to other parts of the world through migration and cultural exchange. However, the earliest and most significant historical records of the name can be traced back to its Danish origins and the rich tapestry of Danish history and culture.
Demographics
Ancestry and ethnicity for Callesen
Among Census respondents with the surname Callesen, the largest self-reported group is White at 92.9%. The next largest groups are Hispanic (4.4%) and Asian/Pacific Islander (1.8%).
The bar chart below shows how Callesen bearers described their own race and ethnicity on the 2020 Census form. The Census Bureau groups responses into six broad categories: White, Black or African American, Hispanic or Latino, Asian and Pacific Islander, American Indian and Alaska Native, and Two or More Races. When a category has too few respondents for a given surname, the Bureau suppresses the figure to protect individual privacy, which is why some names show fewer than six slices.
Percentages are shown for every Census year so the breakdown stays comparable over time. When the source file also includes raw headcounts, Name Census shows those alongside the percentages in the legend.
Keep in mind that these are self-reported numbers. A person's surname does not determine their race or ethnicity, and the distribution you see here reflects the specific population who happened to carry the Callesen surname at the time of the 2020 Census, not any inherent property of the name itself.
- White92.9% · 105
- Hispanic or Latino4.4% · 5
- Asian and Pacific Islander1.8% · 2
- Black or African American0.9% · 1
Timeline
Historical Census data for Callesen
Callesen appears in 3 published Census surname files: 2000, 2010, 2020. The cards below show how the name's rank and bearer count changed across each release.
2010
#126,765
National surname rank
Recorded bearers 135
+2 bearers (+1.5%)
Per 100,000 0.05
Rank movement Down 6,435 places
2020
#147,221
National surname rank
Recorded bearers 113
-22 bearers (-16.3%)
Per 100,000 0.04
Rank movement Down 20,456 places
| Year | Rank | Count | Per 100K | Count change | Rank change |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2000 | #120,330 | 133 | 0.05 | First available Census row | First available Census row |
| 2010 | #126,765 | 135 | 0.05 | +2 bearers (+1.5%) | Down 6,435 places |
| 2020 | #147,221 | 113 | 0.04 | -22 bearers (-16.3%) | Down 20,456 places |
For 2020, the Census Bureau published race and Hispanic-origin columns as counts rather than percentages. Name Census converts those counts back into shares so the ancestry section stays comparable with the older surname files.
Year on year
2010 vs 2020 Census
How has the Callesen surname changed between Census years? The chart shows bearer count side by side, and the table compares rank, count, and frequency.
Census year comparison
20102020
| Metric | 2010 | 2020 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rank | #126,765 | #147,221 | -16.1% |
| Count | 135 | 113 | -16.3% |
| Per 100K | 0.05 | 0.04 | -24.4% |
Between the 2010 and 2020 Census, the number of Callesen bearers went from 135 to 113 (-16.3% change). The surname moved down 20,456 positions in the national ranking, going from #126,765 to #147,221.
FAQ
Callesen surname: questions and answers
How many people in the U.S. have the surname Callesen?
Name Census estimates that about 130 living Americans carry the surname Callesen. Using the current population baseline, that works out to roughly 1 in 2,636,572 residents.
How common is Callesen?
Callesen ranks #147,221 in the 2020 Census surname tables and is classified on this site as "Very Rare." The Census recorded the name at a frequency of 0.04 per 100,000 residents, which is about 0 people out of every 100,000.
How many people with this surname were counted in the Census?
The raw 2020 Census file counted 113 people with the surname Callesen. That is different from the site's living-bearer estimate (130), which projects the surname's present-day count by applying the Census frequency rate to the current U.S. population.
What does 0.04 per 100,000 actually mean?
It is the Census Bureau's normalized frequency measure. A rate of 0.04 per 100,000 means that if you picked a random group of 100,000 U.S. residents, you would expect about 0 of them to have the surname Callesen.
Has Callesen become more or less common over time?
Between 2010 and 2020, the surname Callesen went from 135 recorded bearers to 113. That is a decrease of 22 (-16.3%). In the national ranking it fell from #126,765 to #147,221.
What does the Census say about the background of Callesen?
Among Census respondents with the surname Callesen, the largest self-reported group is White at 92.9%. The next largest groups are Hispanic (4.4%) and Asian/Pacific Islander (1.8%). These figures come from the 2020 Census Bureau surname tables, based on how respondents described their own race and ethnicity.
Which group reports this surname most often?
White is the largest self-reported group for the surname Callesen in the 2020 Census, accounting for 92.9% (105 people in the source table).
What is the full ancestry breakdown?
Callesen appears across multiple self-reported groups in the Census data. The largest shares in the 2020 file are White (92.9%), Hispanic (4.4%), Asian/Pacific Islander (1.8%). For 2020, the source file also published raw headcounts for each group, which is why this page can show both percentages and counts in the ancestry section.
Is this page using the latest Census data?
Yes. This page is using the latest surname file currently loaded on Name Census, which is 2020. The historical section above also keeps any older Census surname entries we have for Callesen (2000, 2010, 2020).
Does the Census include every surname?
No. The Census Bureau only publishes surnames that appeared at least 100 times in a given decennial Census. That means very rare surnames are excluded entirely, and a surname can appear in one Census release but disappear from a later one if it falls below the reporting threshold.
Why don't the ancestry percentages always add up to exactly 100%?
There are two main reasons: rounding and suppression. The Census Bureau rounds published values, and it may suppress very small cells to protect privacy. For 2020, the Bureau also published raw group counts rather than direct percentages, so Name Census converts those counts back into shares for comparability across census years.
What does Callesen mean?
A locational surname likely derived from a particular place name in Denmark. The fuller origin note on this page goes into more detail.
Where does the surname data come from?
All surname statistics on Name Census are drawn from the US Census Bureau's decennial surname frequency tables. These files list every surname that appeared 100 or more times in the 2020 Census, along with a count, a per-100,000 rate, and a self-reported demographic breakdown. You can read the full explanation on our methodology page.
How does Name Census estimate living bearers?
For surnames, Name Census does not age cohorts the way it does for first names. Instead, it takes the Census Bureau's published frequency for Callesen (0.04 per 100,000) and applies that rate to the current U.S. resident population to estimate how many living Americans have the surname today.
How many people have the last name Callesen?
You can see how many Americans have the surname Callesen on our sister site HowManyOfMe.org — same data roots, lighter UI.