Surname Conzen - Meaning and Origin

Conzen: What does the surname Conzen mean?

The last name Conzen is of German origin and is a habitational name derived from places with the name "Conzen" which is derived from the German word for a "conscience" or "understanding". The root, "conz" may also have referred to a manor house, or castle, itself usually signifying the owner's authority and presence in the area.

It's difficult to trace the origin of this name as the Conzen family is thought to have been seated in various locations throughout North Germany – as far apart as East Friesland to Glenzig near the Czech border.

As a surname, Conzen is found today in the United States, Germany, and other countries with German heritage. It has also been adopted by those of other nationalities and cultures, including British, Irish, Spanish, Filipino, and Indian.

In the U.S., Conzen is most often found in (in ascending order) the states of Wisconsin, California, Minnesota, New York, and Michigan. The 2000 U.S. Census showed more than 19,000 people with the Conzen surname living in the United States. The average age of those bearing the surname is 44.5 years.

In addition to those with the Conzen surname, the Conzens may have also belonged to the class of nobles known as the Franconian lines which ruled the former Franconia region in Germany. The Franconian family of Conzen is thought to have died out before the 14th century.

Conzen: Where does the name Conzen come from?

The last name Conzen is primarily found in Germany, where it is associated with the surname Cobenzl, which is an Austrian variant of the name. It is also found in other areas of Europe, such as France, the Netherlands, and Belgium. In the United States, it is most commonly found in states with large German populations, such as Wisconsin and Ohio.

The earliest record of the Conzen name can be found in Germany in the year 1282, when one Johannes Cunzo was mentioned as a witness in a law court affair. The next recorded mention of the name is found in the records of an Augustinian monastery located in Paderborn, Germany in 1400. From this point on, the name began to spread throughout Europe.

The Conzen family name has been important in German history for centuries. A famous member of the Conzen family is the German lawyer and political theorist, Sir Friedrich Conzen, who was an important part of the German legal system during its transition in the 1800s. Today, the Conzen family name is found all over the world, with a large cluster of Conzens still living in Germany, the United States, the Netherlands, and France.

Variations of the surname Conzen

The surname Conzen is of German origin, derived from the Middle High German word "conze," which means "corner, edge," and is also an occupational name for someone who lived on an outer edge or corner of a village. Variants and spellings of the surname include Conze, Conzenen, Conzenin, Conzani, Conzane, Conzannen, Conzem, Coutzen, Konz, Koontz, Kounz, and Konzen. Various Germanic spellings for the last name can also be found, such as Konzing, Konzem, Kontzen, Kountzen, Kounssen, and Kuntzen. Additionally, some historically associated surnames include Konzenbach, Konzenberg, Conzberg, Conzbaum, and Conzkow.

As the name has spread throughout Germanic countries, variants and spelling changes have emerged to take on different, localized forms. For example, in Dutch, Conzen can be spelled Coninx, while in French it can be spelled Conseil. In addition, depending on region, the surname can also be found with an additional "h" added on the end, such as Cohnzen, Cohzen, or Conehzen.

Finally, the surname has also drifted and assimilated into other national or cultural forms through immigration and cultural shifts. For example, in the United States, some variants or combinations of the name have appeared such as Conzenhoffer and Conzery.

Famous people with the name Conzen

• Robert K. Conzen: American historian and professor emeritus of geography and director of the Robert K. Conzen Institute for Social Therepeutics at the University of Chicago
• Harry Conzen: German physician and clinical researcher known for his work in the field of gynaecology
• Gaston Conzen: French philologist and historian specializing in moral philosophy
• Ilona Conzen: German artist known for her paintings and large scale installation pieces
• Susan Conzen: American poet and artist
• Wolfgang Conzen: German sociologist and political scientist
• Martin Conzen: German urban historian and social theorist
• Amelie Conzen: German pianist
• Charlotte Conzen: German poet and writer
• Jean Pierre Conzen: French horticulturalist and plant breeder

Other surnames

ConzeConzelmannCönzer