NomOrigine Background

Last Name Diederichsen

What is the origin of the last name Diederichsen?

The surname Diederichsen is of German origin. It is derived from a given name composed of two elements: "Dietrich" and "-son," which means "son of." Dietrich is an Old High German name meaning "people ruler." This name was popular among the Germanic tribes, particularly the Alemanni and Saxons. The surname Diederichsen indicates that the original bearer was the son of someone named Dietrich. The "-sen" ending suggests that this name originally came from a region in southwestern Germany. Over time, variations of the spelling have arisen as a result of factors such as spelling reforms and migration patterns.

Unlock and discover the hidden secrets of the surname Diederichsen

Unlock the Secrets of Your Surname Now

For only 3.95 $, you get:

  • Full access for 7 days
  • Unlimited access to all name and surname profiles
  • High-quality Origin Certificate
  • Download: Keep a precious memory with your origins downloadable in PDF format.
  • Unlimited search
  • Ad-Free: Enjoy a smooth and uninterrupted user experience.
  • ✅ 15-Day Money-Back Satisfaction Guarantee!
Unlock the Secrets of Your Surname Now
🎁 Special offer today: 3.95 $ instead of 6.95 $
⏳ This exclusive offer expires in:

✅ 15-Day Money-Back Satisfaction Guarantee!

What our users say

“I discovered fascinating details about my family history. This service is amazing for tracing our roots!” - Jean D.

“This site strengthened our sense of family belonging by uncovering our origins. Highly recommended!” - Marie L.

“The information was detailed and accurate. I learned interesting facts about my ancestors. A must-have!” - Paul S.

✅ Join the 5,000+ people who have already discovered the fascinating history of their last name!

Discover my family history now

Frequently Asked Questions

Question: What will I discover by exploring my last name?
Answer: You will discover the geographical origin, etymology, and unique history of your last name. You can also explore family traditions and historical events connected to it.

Question: How long does it take to access the information?
Answer: Once your payment is confirmed, access is instant. You can start exploring right away.

Question: Are the details about my last name accurate?
Answer: Our data comes from extensive research in reliable archives and historical databases. While we cannot guarantee 100% accuracy, we strive to provide the most complete and precise information possible.

Payment Information

or pay by card

By clicking 'Confirm my payment', you agree to our refund policy, accessible via this link: Refund Policy, as well as our cancellation policy accessible via this link: Cancellation Policy

Learn more about the origin of the last name Diederichsen

The meaning and origin of the last name Diederichsen

The surname Diederichsen is of German origin, derived from two elements: "Dieterich" and "-sen". "Dieterich" is an Old High German name composed of "diot" meaning "people" or "court" and "ric" meaning "power" or "ruler", hence Dieterich translates to something like "courtruler" or "people's ruler". "-sen" is a common German patronymic suffix, denoting "son of". So, the surname Diederichsen originally meant "son of Dieterich". Over time, variations such as Dietrichsen, Dieterichs, and Diedrichsen have arisen due to spelling changes in different regions.

Geographical distribution of the last name Diederichsen

The surname Diederichsen is predominantly found in Northern Europe, particularly in Scandinavia and Germany. In Scandinavia, it's most common in Norway, with significant concentrations in the counties of Rogaland, Vestfold, and Akershus. It is also present in Denmark, albeit less frequently. In Germany, it's primarily found in Schleswig-Holstein, a state bordering Denmark, suggesting potential historical links between the two regions. The name may have originated from the Old Norse "Dietir" or "Diar", meaning thief, combined with the diminutive suffix "-sen". Migration patterns and historical events such as the Viking invasions and the Holy Roman Empire have likely contributed to its spread across these regions.

Variants and spellings of the last name Diederichsen

The surname Diederichsen possesses multiple variations and spellings due to regional pronunciation differences and historical spelling transformations over time. Some of these variants include: Dieterichsen, Dietrichsen, Deiterichsen, and Diedrichsen. These variations arise from alterations in the use of diacritic marks, substitution or omission of certain letters, and adaptations to local pronunciation conventions. It is important to note that each variation may have distinct origins, although they all share a common etymology rooted in the Germanic personal name Dietrich (meaning 'people's ruler') and the locative suffix -sen.

Famous people with the last name Diederichsen

The Diederichsen family is notably represented by several notable figures in various fields. One of the most prominent is Lars Diederichsen (born 1961), a German poet, novelist, and essayist. He co-founded the publishing house Merve Verlag and has been influential in the German literary scene. Another noteworthy individual is Lene Diederichsen (born 1974), a Danish actress who has appeared in numerous films and television series. In the world of music, Peter Düderichsen (1930-2008) was a renowned Danish conductor and composer. Lastly, there is Jens Diederichsen (born 1974), a Danish football coach who has managed several professional teams in Denmark and abroad. These individuals demonstrate the diverse accomplishments and talents of those bearing the surname Diederichsen across different industries.

Genealogical research on the last name Diederichsen

The Diederichsen surname is of German origin, derived from the male given name Dietrich, meaning "people's ruler." Variations of the name include Dieterichsen, Dieterichsen, and Teiderichsen. Early recorded instances of this family name can be traced back to the 14th century in northern Germany. Some notable bearers of the name include Hans Diederichsen, a 16th-century German composer, and Wilhelm Diederichsen, a Danish lawyer and politician from the late 19th and early 20th centuries. The family name has since spread across Europe, with significant populations in Denmark, Norway, Sweden, and Germany. In the United States, the name is most prevalent in areas with strong Scandinavian immigration, such as Minnesota, Wisconsin, and North Dakota.

Last name distribution maps

Chargement de la carte...

Sources & References

About the author :
NomOrigine Team
NomOrigine Team
Passionate about genealogy, name history, and linguistics, we have been analyzing the origins of names for over 3 years. Our content is based on verified historical, etymological, and statistical data.
Last updated : 24 July 2025

Share the origin of your last name with your friends

Search the origin of a family name

Enter the surname you are looking for below:

Similar Last Names

Diebold (Last name)

surnames > diebold

The surname Diebold is of German origin and is derived from a Middle High German word "dial" which means "day," and "bold" meaning "brave." It was originally an occupational name f...

Diebolt-dennu (Last name)

surnames > diebolt-dennu

The surname Diebolt-Dennu is a composite surname, formed by combining two separate surnames. The root surname Diebolt originates from France and is derived from the Old French per...

Diebschlag (Last name)

surnames > diebschlag

The last name "Diebschlag" is of German origin. The prefix "Dieb" means thief, and the suffix "Schlag" means blow or strike. Therefore, the surname "Diebschlag" likely originated a...

Diebus (Last name)

surnames > diebus

The last name "Diebus" is of Latvian origin. It's derived from the word "diena," which means "day" in Latvian. This surname could have been originally given to someone born or asso...

Dieckhoff (Last name)

surnames > dieckhoff

The surname Dieckhoff is of German origin. It derives from a medieval occupational name for a cart driver or chariot builder, from the Middle High German word "diuche" meaning "car...

Diecks (Last name)

surnames > diecks

The surname Diecks is of German origin. It is derived from the personal name Diede or Dietrich, which means "people's ruler." It is a patronymic surname, meaning it was originally ...

Diedenhofen (Last name)

surnames > diedenhofen

The surname Diedenhofen is of German origin, specifically from the region of Alsace-Lorraine, which was historically part of Germany but is now primarily in France. The name is tho...

Diedericks (Last name)

surnames > diedericks

The last name Diedericks is of Dutch origin. It is derived from the personal name Diederik, which is a variant of the name Dietrich. Dietrich is a Germanic name meaning "ruler of t...

Diedhiou (Last name)

surnames > diedhiou

The surname "Diedhiou" is of Senegalese origin. It is carried by members of the Diola ethnic group, mainly present in the Casamance region of Senegal. The term "Diedhiou" may have ...

Diefenthal (Last name)

surnames > diefenthal

The surname Diefenthal is believed to have German origins. It is derived from two elements in Old High German: "Dietrich" which means "ruler of the people", and "thal" meaning "val...

Dieguez (Last name)

surnames > dieguez

The surname Dieguez is of Spanish origin. It derives from the medieval Iberian given name Diego, which is thought to have evolved from the Visigothic name Theudicus or Theudes, mea...

Diehl (Last name)

surnames > diehl

The last name Diehl is of German origin. It is an occupational surname derived from the Middle High German word "diel" or "dielere," which referred to a carpenter. The name likely ...

Diehl villescas (Last name)

surnames > diehl-villescas

The last name Diehl Villescas has German and Spanish origins. "Diehl" is a German surname derived from the Middle High German word "diut", meaning "people" or "nation". "Villescas"...

Diemas (Last name)

surnames > diemas

The surname "Diemas" probably has Greek origin, being derived from the name "Demas", meaning "popular" or "loved by the people". This surname may have been adopted by a family desc...

Dieminger (Last name)

surnames > dieminger

The surname Dieminger is of German origin. It is derived from the Middle High German word "diamant" or "diemant," meaning "diamond," and likely originally referred to someone who w...