Knutsen is a Norwegian surname. It origin was as a Patronymic name (-sen/-søn/-son/-zen) derived from the first name Knut. Notable people with the surname include:
Arvid Knutsen (1944–2009), Norwegian footballer and later coachEspen Knutsen (born 1972), Norwegian ice hockey playerGeir Knutsen (born 1959), Norwegian politician for the Labour PartyGuro Knutsen (born 1985), Norwegian football playerKonrad B. Knutsen (born 1925), Norwegian civil servantLars Knutsen (1884–1963), Norwegian shipowner, founder of Lars Knutsen and Sons Ltd, a ship chandler business in WalesMarie Knutsen (born 1982), Norwegian football midfielderMorten Knutsen (born 1977), Norwegian football coach and former playerNelly Bell Knutsen (1905–1991), Norwegian politician for the Christian Democratic PartyOlav Martinus Knutsen Steinnes (1886–1961), Norwegian Minister of Education and Church Affairs in 1928Paul Knutsen Barstad Sandvik (1847–1936), Norwegian educatorPeter Tessem and Paul Knutsen, Norwegian explorers who went with Roald Amundsen on his 1918 Arctic expeditionTormod Knutsen (born 1932), Norwegian Nordic combined athleteTove Karoline Knutsen (born 1951), Norwegian politician for the Labour PartyVenke Knutson (born 1978), Norwegian pop artist