Surname Arnz - Meaning and Origin
all surnames with 'A'
Arnz: What does the surname Arnz mean?
The last name Arnz is of German origin. It is believed that the name means "eagle" or a messenger of God, derived from the Middle High German word “arneszen” which means to announce.
In Germanic cultures, eagles were thought to be messengers between people and a higher power. To the German people, the eagle was a symbol of strength and power, and was believed to protect the warrior in battle. This symbolism of protection and strength is still attributed to the name Arnz today.
The coat of arms of the Arnz family crest is believed to be a gold eagle, holding two arrows in its talons (which symbolizes the strength and bravery of the family). Other symbols that appear in the crest include three roses, which may represent love, hope, and devotion. The Arnz crest contains other elements relevant to today’s Arnz family, such as a lion’s paw holding a shield (which reflects the family’s loyalty).
The Arnz surname is found mostly in Germany and other German-speaking countries. It is also found quite frequently in the United States, with many of the major US cities having namesakes with the surname Arnz. The various forms of the name, including Ahrns, Arnz, Ahrnsen, and Ahrents, are all believed to stem from the same root of the name.
Overall, the last name Arnz is connected to strength, protection, and power. Its symbolism has been passed down through the ages and still holds true today.
Order DNA origin analysisArnz: Where does the name Arnz come from?
The last name Arnz is most commonly found in Germany today. It is closely associated with northern Germany and is particularly common in the state of Rhineland-Palatinate. The surname is thought to have originated in Franconia region of Germany. It is believed that the name is derived from the Middle High German words arn meaning eagle and dûz meaning house.
In modern times, the last name Arnz can be found throughout Germany and can even be traced back to the United States, Canada and Australia. The name not only exists in Germany, but is also known in countries like Austria, the Netherlands, Luxembourg and Sweden.
The density of people carrying the Arnz surname is highest in Germany. There are in the region of 4,000 individuals who have the last name in Germany, with around 2000 in Rhineland-Palatinate specifically. In comparison, figures for the US are much lower with fewer than 150 Arnzs found across the whole of the country.
In the US, the surname is more commonly found amongst German immigrants, though some people bearing the name can probably trace their heritage back to another countries. Similarly, to other German last names, individuals may have changed the spelling of Arnz to make name sound less German during times of high anti-German sentiment in the US.
Arnold Arnz is a well known German figure who bears the name and is a prominent landscape painter. He is particularly known for his watercolours which depict the beauty of the Meuse Valley in Germany. He is also a former President of the Rhineland Palatinate Artists' Association.
All in all, the last name Arnz is most commonly found in Germany, though there are small number of individuals with this surname in the United States too.
Variations of the surname Arnz
The surname Arnz is an ancient and unique name indigenous to Germany, and has a range of variant spellings and surnames of the same origin.
The following are the most common spellings and surnames of Arnz:
- Arnzt
- Ernz
- Arnzte
- Arns
- Arnzky
- Ars
- Ernst
Other spellings include:
- Arnsberg
- Arnsperger
- Ahrens
- Ahrensberg
- Ahrenslang
The name Arnz or its variations can be traced back to a medieval German family who lived in the region of Poehlde. In the early period, the name was applied as an ornamental name to one who dwelled in the same area or in the same region as another bearer of the name.
During the Middle Ages, Arnz was an occupational surname for a weapon smith who forged swords, armor and other weaponry. Other than metal, the weapon smith used wood and leather to craft the items.
This surname is likely derived from a combination of the words “arn” (sword) and the suffix “-z” (for smith). Today, the name Arnz is still seen in areas of Germany and elsewhere across the world.
Famous people with the name Arnz
- Stefan Arz: German motorbike trial racer and two time trial world champion.
- Ömer Arz: Turkish actor, director and screenwriter.
- Wolfgang Arz: Austrian film actor, director and screenplay writer.
- Peter Arzberger: German entrepreneur and political advisor.
- Maeve Arzberger: Australian news anchor, radio presenter and television host.
- Wolfgang Arzner: German actor and film director.
- Erich Arz: Austrian military and government official.
- Emmerich Arzberger: Austrian stage and film actor.
- Werner Arzheimer: German political scientist and professor.
- Walter Arzt: Austrian film editor and director.
- Richard Arnz: German businessman and finance professional.
- William Arnz: German-American illustrator and painter.
- Ludmilla Arnz: German actress, stage director and author.
- Gerhard Arnz: German sculptor and artist.
- Klaus Arnz: German Biblical scholar and theologian.
- Karel Arnz: Czechoslovakian politician and political commentator.
- Josef Arnz: German catholic theologian.
- Pauly Arnz: German theater, television and film director.
- Johann Jacob Arnz: German composer and organist.
- Jakob Arnz: German cyclist, winner of the 1977 Tour of Austria.