| Term | Definition |
|---|---|
| Abild |
Old word for æble = 'Apple'. Found in both surnames, e.g. 'Abildgaard' and place names. |
| Adel |
Nobility, aristocracy, e.g. 'Adelen' = 'The Aristocracy'. |
| Adelig |
Noble, e.g. a man of noble lineage. |
| Adelsbonde |
Freeholder, farmer. See also 'selvejer'. |
| Adelsbrev |
Patent of nobility. |
| Afgangen |
Deceased. Short form: 'Afg.' |
| Afholdsbevægelsen |
The Temperance Movement. Although the movement were founded in the USA in the 1820's, the first Danish movement were not formed before April 17, 1879 in Vejle. In the following years it spread to rest of the country and by the beginning of the 1900's the teetotalers had become very influencial with more than 200,000 members in Denmark. |
| Aftakket |
Retired (usually a soldier or boatswain/sailor). |
| Aftægt |
Contractual support to a former owner/copyholder and his wife, now pensioned, from the successor on the farm. |
| Aftægtskone |
The wife of the former owner/copyholder, now pensioned, who receives contractual support from the successor on the farm. |
| Aftægtsmand |
Former owner/copyholder, now pensioned, who receives contractual support from his successor on the farm |
| Almindelig |
Common (abbreviation: 'alm.'). |
| Almisse |
Alms |
| Almissebod |
Alms house. |
| Amme |
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The 100 most common surnames in Denmark and their numerical distribution:
| Rank | Surname |
| 1 | Jensen |
| 5 | Andersen |
| 30 | Schmidt |
| 52 | Dahl |
| 76 | Holst |
| 98 | Hedegaard |