Hansen, is a Danish patronymic surname, literally meaning son of Hans. It is the thir most common surname in Denmark, shared by about 4,3% of the population. It is also used in Norway, where "Hansen" is the most common surname, and the form Hanssen is more common than in Denmark. In Sweden the parallel form is Hansson. Hansen is also in use in the Faeroe Islands and Greenland. The frequent occurrences of Hansen as a surname outside Denmark is due to immigration.