Meaning & History
Etymology and Meaning
Anthonsen is a surname of Danish and Norwegian origin, functioning as a patronymic meaning "son of Anthon." It is a variant of the more common Antonsen, with the spelling influenced by the given name Anthon, a form of Anton. The name Anton itself derives from the Roman family name Antonius, famously borne by the general Mark Antony (Marcus Antonius). Despite popular belief, Antonius is of likely Etruscan origin and unrelated to the Greek word for "flower" (anthos), though the English spelling Anthony later adopted the h under that mistaken association.
Patronymic Tradition
In Scandinavian naming conventions, surnames ending in -sen (Danish/Norwegian) indicate a patronymic, originally reflecting the father's given name. Thus, Anthonsen denotes descent from an ancestor named Anthon. This pattern was widespread in Denmark and Norway until hereditary surnames became fixed in the 19th century. Competing forms like Anthonsen and Antonsen often arose from regional spelling variations or personal preference.
Cultural Context
Surnames based on the root Anton are numerous across Europe, from Scandinavian forms like Anthonsen and Antonsen to Slavic equivalents such as Antonov (Russian), Antonova (Russian feminine), Antov (Bulgarian), and Andonov (Macedonian). While Anthonsen is less common than Antonsen, it retains the same etymological essence.
- Meaning: Son of Anthon (a form of Anton)
- Origin: Danish and Norwegian
- Type: Patronymic
- Usage regions: Denmark, Norway
- Variant forms: Antonsen, Antonisen
Related Names
Sources: Wiktionary — Anthonsen