Surname Butz - Meaning and Origin
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Unravelling the Butz Lineage: An Enlightening Journey Through My Ancestry with iGENEA DNA Test
Receiving my DNA results from iGENEA, I ventured into an exhilarating journey back in time. My forebears, the Butz family, turned out to be an amalgamation of diverse cultures and played significant roles across various historical epochs. This sojourn not only gratified my curiosity about my ancestry but also reshaped my self-identity.
J. Butz
read moreButz: What does the surname Butz mean?
The last name Butz is of German origin. It is believed to have been derived from a nickname given to someone, possibly deriving from the Middle High German word "butze", which means "chunk" or "lump". It may have been describing someone who was robust or stout in their appearance. Another possible origin of Butz could be a derivative from a pet form of the personal name Burkhard, which means "strong fortress." Like many surnames, it would have been adopted as a means of distinguishing between individuals with the same first name. Thus, the exact meaning can be context-dependent on the individual or family that bears the name. As with many ancient names, the meaning and origins of Butz may be open to interpretation and could have varied in different regions or families. It is widely spread in Germany and found in various forms across the German-speaking world. It is also found in the United States among descendants of German immigrants. Today, notable individuals with the name Butz include actors Norbert Leo Butz and Anke Engelke (born Anke Christina Butz).
Order DNA origin analysisButz: Where does the name Butz come from?
The surname Butz has German origins and is derived from the Middle High German word 'butze', which means 'tip' or 'end'. It was typically used as a nickname for someone who lived at the end of a village, or as a topographic name for someone who lived by a projecting piece of land. Butz can also originate from the personal name Butzo, a short form of the name Burkhard, meaning 'strong fortress'.
Equally, there is also an Ashkenazic Jewish origin for the name 'Butz'. Butz or Butts was a patronymic name derived from a short form of the Hebrew personal name 'Boruch', meaning 'blessed'.
Today, the surname Butz is commonly found in Germany, the United States, and other countries with significant German-speaking or Ashkenazic Jewish populations. According to Forebears, it is most prevalent in Germany, with a higher concentration in Nordrhein-Westfalen, Baden-Württemberg, and Bayern. In the United States, it mostly appears in the states of Pennsylvania and New York.
Variations of the surname Butz
The surname Butz is of German origin, which means "donkey or stubborn". It came into usage during medieval times. Variations of the surname primarily due to regional adaptation, phonetic convictions, or even translation changes include Butts, Butt, Butte, Bütz, Butzen, Buetz, and Buttz. These surnames often refer to either someone who is stubborn or used to known persons living near a notable hill or mound.
There are also surnames like Bützer, Budz, Bützner, which might not directly correspond to Butz but hold from the same origin. This surname, during old times, was sometimes localized to specific areas and hence changed according to the local language leading to creation of different variations.
Due to immigration from Europe, especially to America, many original surnames were anglicized. Therefore, it is also common to see variations of the surname Butz such as Buts, Buttons, Buteson, among others. Spelling alterations continued more frequently in countries that adopted English as a de facto language, creating more variations of the surname.
Famous people with the name Butz
- Norbert Leo Butz: An American actor and singer known for his performances in Broadway musicals. He is a two-time winner of the Tony Award for Best Actor in a Musical, for his roles in "Dirty Rotten Scoundrels" and "Catch Me If You Can".
- Karl-Theodor Maria Nikolaus Johann Jacob Philipp Franz Joseph Sylvester Buhl-Freiherr von und zu Guttenberg, known as Karl-Theodor zu Guttenberg: He is a German businessman and politician who served as Minister of Economics and Technology and then as Federal Minister of Defence in the government of Chancellor Angela Merkel.
- Gerhard Ludwig Butz: He was a German choral conductor, conductor of the musically important St. Thomas Church, Leipzig, church musician, and teacher.
- Edward Butz: He was a member of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives.
- Dean Butz: He is a New Jersey politician who served in the New Jersey General Assembly in early 2000s.
- Brian J. Butz: A current CEO of an electricity company Pepco Holdings. For some, the last name Butz is part of the full family name, as in the case of Karl-Theodor zu Guttenberg.
- Albert C. Butz: An inventor, patentee, he was the founder of what would eventually become Honeywell.