Surname Glantz - Meaning and Origin

Glantz: What does the surname Glantz mean?

The last name Glantz is a Jewish surname with multiple possible origins, the most likely being derived from the German word “gland” meaning acorn. The name could also be derived from the Polish word “glanc” meaning wheat. It is possible that the name was derived as a descriptive nickname for someone with an exceptional fondness of acorns or wheat.

The name Glantz has been found in records dating as far back as 14th century Germany, with the first known recorded bearers of the name being Johannes Glantz in 1388 and Madil Glantz in 1433. It is believed that the surname was common throughout Germany with multiple families bearing it and its variants.

In the 17th and 18th centuries, many Jewish families bearing the Glantz surname were forced to emigrate from Germany to other parts of Europe due to laws and persecution. As such, the Glantz surname can be found throughout the world today in various forms such as Glants, Glance, Glantzky, Glanser, and Glanzer. It is likely that in present times the surname was altered on multiple occasions to mask the family’s Jewish origins.

Glantz: Where does the name Glantz come from?

The last name Glantz is most commonly found in Germany today. In Germany Glantz is thought to be a toponymic name, derived from Glantz in East Prussia. However, it is also found throughout Eastern Europe, Russia, and the United States.

In the United States Glantz is a fairly uncommon surname. According to the US Census Bureau, Glantz accounted for less than 0.1% of the population in the 2000 census. It is more often found in states with larger Jewish populations, such as New York and Florida. Glantz is especially concentrated on Long Island and South Florida.

Glantz is also present in Australia, Argentina, South Africa, and Israel, among other countries. Australia has the largest percentage of Glantz, with an estimated 2,000 individuals. This population is largely derived from German Jewish migrants fleeing post-WWII Europe.

Despite being a fairly uncommon surname, Glantz is well distributed around the world. It is both a toponymic name derived from East Prussia and a patronymic name in Jewish communities. Wherever it is found, be it Germany or the US, Glantz signifies a long and varied history.

Variations of the surname Glantz

Glantz is an Ashkenazic Jewish surname derived from Yiddish words meaning “shiny” or “splendid.” The surname can be found in records as Glanz, Glantz, Glanzer, Glanzman, Glunz, and Glunts.

The surname Glantz is somewhat common and can be found in records from England, Ukraine, Belarus, and other Central and Eastern European countries. The name is also found in United States records due to immigration from Eastern Europe.

Variants, spellings, and surnames of the same origin of Glantz differ slightly depending on the country from which the surname originated. In German and Central Europe, Glantz can be found spelled as Glanz or Glunz. Other variations, including Glanzer, Glanzman, and Glunts can also be found in German and Central European records. In Ukraine and Belarus, the surnames Glantsman and Glantsmon are also linked to the surname Glantz.

In England, Glantz is pronounced differently and can be found spelled as Glants or Glunce. In the United States, variants such as Glance, Glants, Glenzer, and Santiago can be found in records.

Overall, spelling and surnames depending on origin, the surname Glantz has many variants, spellings, and surnames of the same origin, each with its own unique pronunciation.

Famous people with the name Glantz

• Alfred Glantz: American historian who wrote about the impact of the Cold War on the Canadian economy.
• Carl Glantz: American neurologist and medical researcher specializing in multiple sclerosis.
• David Glantz: United States Army officer and military historian who wrote extensively on the Soviet forces in World War II and the Cold War.
• Howard Glantz: American lawyer and author who served as the founding director of the Institute for Jewish Studies at the University of Maryland.
• Joseph Glantz: American painter and sculptor known for his bronze works of Jewish life in the Lower East Side of Manhattan.
• Peter Glantz: Emmy Award-winning television producer and writer best known for his work on CBS's "The Sopranos" and HBO's "Vinyl".
• Saul Glantz: American weightlifter and Olympic medalist who competed for the United States during the 1936 Summer Games.
• Stephen Glantz: American journalist and professor of history at Georgia Southern University, credited with writing the first book on the 9/11 terrorist attacks.
• Steven Glantz: American entrepreneur, venture capitalist, and philanthropist, known for pioneering innovative business models in the retail sector.
• William Glantz: American investment banker who was a pioneer in financial products designed to protect investors from the market's volatility.

Other surnames

Glanton