Surname Belz - Meaning and Origin
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Unearthing My Heritage: The Historical and Cultural Trek of the 'Belz' Surname Through an iGENEA DNA Test
The iGENEA DNA test has unveiled a fascinating narrative of ancestry, directly linking to the historical and cultural origins of my surname 'Belz.' Originating from Germany and with significant historical footprints in Europe, and especially in Jewish Ashkenazi culture, my 'Belz' lineage presents a rich tapestry of resilience, migration, and cultural adaptability.
R. Belz
read moreBelz: What does the surname Belz mean?
Belz is a surname of Germanic and Ashkenazic Jewish origin. It is derived from the name of a place in West Prussia, now part of Poland, and is thought to be derived from the Polish word ‘belza’ meaning ‘alder’. The family name Belz may have originated as an occupational name for a maker of furniture from alder trees.
The Belz family has a strong connection to the Jewish faith and can be traced back to Jewish communities in Germany and Poland in the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries. The name became particularly associated with Yiddish-speaking Jews who settled in the United States in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. As a result, the surname Belz is common among modern Jews, particularly in the US.
Today, the Belz family name is common in Israel, Europe, and North America, though it is relatively rare in other parts of the world. The surname Belz is also closely associated with the Jewish faith and Jewish culture, and is still a popular choice among Jewish families in many countries.
Overall, the name Belz has a rich and interesting history that is strongly connected with the Jewish faith. It is a surname that is widely recognised and has a deep cultural and religious significance to many Jewish families around the world.
Order DNA origin analysisBelz: Where does the name Belz come from?
The last name Belz is most commonly found in German-speaking countries today, particularly in Germany and Austria. The Belz family is believed to have originated in Germany around the Biederitz and Stendal region in the 12th century. The first known Belz ancestor is Nicz Lizer, who was born in 1180. The Belz family eventually spread to other parts of the world, including parts of the United States.
In the United States, Belz has been found in midwestern states such as Missouri, Ohio, and Indiana, though it is more common in the east, particularly in Pennsylvania, New York, and even Texas. According to the United States Census Bureau, the 1940 census revealed that the Belz family was the 1633rd most common surname among white Americans. A number of immigrants from Germany, Austria, Hungary, and other Eastern European countries likely account for the spread of the Belz name throughout the United States.
Though the Belz surname may be unfamiliar to some people in the United States, it is important to note that it is still common in many German-speaking countries. Even over eight centuries after Nicz Lizer started the Belz legacy, it remains a prominent surname among German descendants today.
Variations of the surname Belz
The surname Belz has several variants, spellings, and surnames of the same origin. The variants of this name include Beelz, Belce, Belles, and Bels. The spellings that are similar to this surname include Belce, Belts, Bëlz, and Belc. All of these spellings and variants are linked to a single origin: the German family name 'Belz'.
The earliest records of Belz as a surname date back to the 13th century in northern Germany. The original bearers of the name belonged to a noble family, lords of the estates of Belz, and attended to the local court in the city of Marburg.
The Belz family coat of arms includes three black pearls on a gold background. The use of the pearls is symbolic, referring to the 'pearled talents' of the family—meaning their natural flair for administration.
Several surnames derived from the name Belz still exist in the present day. This includes Belce, a Jewish form of the name found mainly in Poland and Belarus, Beles, an Ashkenazi Jewish surname, and Bels, a variant commonly found in Bavaria.
It is likely that all of these spellings and surnames have developed over time from the original German surname 'Belz', and are all linked to the same origin.
Famous people with the name Belz
- Bob Belz: Emmy-winning composer
- Michael Belz: former goalkeeper for the New York Cosmos
- Henry Belz: Major League Baseball pitcher
- Marge Belz: celebrity chef and restaurateur
- Robbie Belz: American football player
- Marty Belz: professional tennis player
- Diane Belz: pioneering American women's basketball coach
- Sophia Belz: actress and model
- Max Belz: world-class table tennis player
- Juliana Belz: German cross-country skier