Find out how popular the last name Densen is in the United States and learn more about the meaning, history, and race and ethnic origin of people in America who are named Densen.

Densen, like all of the last names we have data for, is identified by the U.S. Census Bureau as a surname which has more than 100 occurrences in the United States in the Decennial Census survey. The most recent statistics we have for the Densen surname is from the 2000 census data.

Popularity of Densen in America

Densen is the 124109th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Densen surname appeared 128 times in the 2000 census and if you were to sample 100,000 people in the United States, approximately 0 people would have the surname Densen.

The history of the last name Densen

The surname Densen has its origins in Northern Europe, particularly in the regions of Denmark and possibly northern Germany. The earliest occurrences can be traced back to the medieval period, roughly around the 12th to 14th centuries. It is likely derived from the Old Norse or Old Danish words. The name might originate from the Old Norse word "dansa," which means to dance, or from "Dens," which refers to someone from Denmark.

One of the earliest instances of the surname can be found in Danish records from the 13th century. There is evidence from the period that documents a family with the name Densen living in the Jutland Peninsula. Variations in spellings such as Deensen or Denssen have been noted, showing the evolution of the name over time and across regions.

Historical references to the name Densen can be found in various medieval manuscripts and legal documents, suggesting that families with this surname owned land and had certain social standings. One of the earliest known references is a manuscript from 1275 that mentions a Johannes Densen, a landowner in southern Denmark.

In England, following the Norman Conquest, names from Northern Europe became more common. One notable Densen in historical records is Edmund Densen, an early 15th-century merchant from York, England. His trade activities with Scandinavian countries suggest a linkage between the regions.

By the 17th century, individuals with the surname Densen had appeared in other European regions. Margarethe Densen, born in 1602, was a noted figure in the Swedish court known for her significant contributions to the arts and education. She is documented in various correspondences and royal decrees of the period.

Another notable individual was Pieter Densen, a 17th-century Dutch explorer, born in 1645 and known for his expeditions to the East Indies. His voyages are well-documented in the logs of the Dutch East India Company, where he held a notable position and was instrumental in establishing early trade routes.

In scholarly work, the name appears in the writings of Freidrich Densen, a German philosopher born in 1788, whose contributions to early 19th-century philosophical circles are well-regarded. His treatises on metaphysics were influential in academic circles in Germany and beyond.

The surname Densen thus carries with it a rich history, interwoven with the migrations and social evolutions of various Northern European peoples. From its medieval origins to its significant bearers in England, Sweden, the Netherlands, and Germany, the name has traversed through history, leaving its mark in trade, exploration, scholarship, and intellectual contributions.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Densen

We also have some data on the ancestry of people with the surname Densen.

The below race categories are the modified race categories used in the Census Bureau's population estimates program. All people were categorized into six mutually exclusive racial and Hispanic origin groups:

1. White only
2. Black only
3. American Indian and Alaskan Native only
4. Asian and Pacific Islander only
5. Hispanic
6. Two or More Races

For the most recent 2000 census data, the race/ethnic origin breakdown for Densen was:

Note: Any fields showing (S) means the data was suppressed for privacy so that the data does not in any way identify any specific individuals.

Data source

The last name data and ethnic breakdown of last names is sourced directly from the Decennial Census survey, conducted every 10 years by the United States Census Bureau.

The history and meaning of the name Densen was researched and written by our team of onomatology and genealogy experts.

If you have a correction or suggestion to improve the history of Densen, please contact us.

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