Surname Arntz - Meaning and Origin
all surnames with 'A'
Arntz: What does the surname Arntz mean?
The last name Arntz is a German name. It was derived from the pre 7th century Old German root of "arn", which means eagle, and is believed to have been a nickname given to an individual with characteristics of the majestic bird. In general, it is assumed that the name refers to one with courage, strength, and fortitude.
As a surname, Arntz first appeared in the 15th century and is thought to be associated with the state of North Rhine-Westphalia. It was also found in other German regions such as Elsass, Bayern, and Thüringen. It is likely that it was adopted by individuals who migrated elsewhere, such as the United States, or even countries like the Netherlands, during the 17th and 18th centuries.
The Arntz family is believed to have originated in the small towns of Emberg, Bommern, and Körschburg. These towns were most likely the place of origin for the early Arntz family. The name Arntz was also found in other parts of Europe, most notably France and The Netherlands.
In the 20th century, the number of Arntzs living in North Rhine-Westphalia had grown significantly. They were mainly concentrated in cities such as Cologne, Dortmund, Essen, and Bochum. Today, there are many Arntzs living around the world, especially in the United States. The Arntz family name also continues to be an important part of German culture and heritage.
Order DNA origin analysisArntz: Where does the name Arntz come from?
The last name Arntz is found predominantly throughout the Western and Central parts of Germany. Specifically, it is most common in the North Rhine-Westphalia region, including cities such as Münster and Recklinghausen. It is also present in the southern part of Nordrhein-Westfalen, in cities such as Aachen and Düsseldorf. Additionally, Arntz is very popular in the Rhineland-Palatinate area, with its highest concentrations in Neuwied and Koblenz.
Arntz is also found in the Oberpfalz region of Bavaria. Its most plentiful concentrations are in Regensburg, Bayreuth, and Amberg. In Saxony-Anhalt, the name is most often found in the cities of Magdeburg and Halberstadt.
The name Arntz is also distributed in smaller concentrations in other parts of Europe, such as Switzerland, The Netherlands, Poland, and Denmark.
Further, Arntz can also be found in North America, particularly in the United States. Examples include Wisconsin, Michigan, Minnesota, and Virginia. The states of Ohio, Pennsylvania, and New York have some of the highest concentrations in the U.S.
But by far the highest concentration of the last name Arntz is in its homeland -- Germany -- where it is most popular in the western and central parts of the country.
Variations of the surname Arntz
The surname Arntz has a number of variants, spellings, and related surnames, each of which has a different origin.
The most commonly seen variations are Arnz and Arnzt. The former is a more German variant and may come from a variant of Arnott, a name of German origin meaning "the eagle" or from the German word "arn" meaning "eagle." The latter could be a Dutch variant of the same origin.
The surname Anz, closely associated with Arnz, is German and could have been derived from Angst or Ansel, two German names meaning “fear” and “divine” respectively.
Another related German surname is Erntz, which derives from the German word “ernt”, meaning “harvest”.
The closely related surname Arenz could be a Dutch variant of the German Arnz and may refer to a family who once lived on or near the sandy soil of an area known as Ares (or Arn) in the Netherlands.
In the Netherlands, another common spelling of the surname is Arnts. It could have been derived from the German word “arns”, meaning “field” or “burial ground”. Alternatively, its origin might be the Dutch word “Arnt”, which is a variant of Arnott and could refer to the “eagle” again.
Lastly, the surname Arntzen is a variant of the German origin surname Arnz, and could refer to the “eagle” as well.
Famous people with the name Arntz
- Bill Arntz: Broadway actor, playwright and lyricist best known for his portrayal of Peter in Jesus Christ Superstar.
- Wilbert Arntz: Dutch composer and conductor who scored music for numerous television shows, including Star Trek: The Next Generation and Battlestar Galactica.
- Tessa Arntz: Dutch fashion designer and retail entrepreneur, recognized as the co-founder and creative director of the trendy Dutch fashion brand mbyM.
- Wolfgang Arntz: German actor, known for his roles in the television series For Heaven's Sake and Down South.
- Stephanie Arntz: German singer and songwriter, known for her work with artists such as Xavier Naidoo, Rag’n’Bone Man and Marteria.
- Hans Arntz: German doctor and academic, founder of the German Radiological Society and leader of numerous health-related organizations.
- Eve Arntz: Australian author and illustrator, creator of the children’s books Snuggle Bunny and the Magic Tree and Snuggle Bunny and the Star in the Sky.
- Rob Arntz: American producer and editor, best known for working on the films Catch Me if You Can, Minority Report and The Adjustment Bureau.
- Linda Arntz: Canadian stage and television actress, best known for her role as Helen Purdue in the television series Corner Gas.
- Peter Arntz: Danish sculptor and artist, famous for his sculptures made from recycled materials.