Surname Hentz - Meaning and Origin
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Hentz: What does the surname Hentz mean?
Hentz is a surname of German origin. It is derived from the German word 'hentz', which means courage or boldness. The name was usually given to someone who exhibited a daring or courageous character, or someone of a strong nature.
The earliest known record of the Hentz family dates back to the late 15th century, when Mathaus Hentz of Diepholz and Katharina Hentz of Walsrode, Germany appeared on census records. It then spread throughout the larger German provinces and into Austria.
In the United States, the Hentz family has its roots in the Pennsylvania Dutch regions, and also in South Carolina, where the first Hentz immigrants arrived in the early 1700s. Today, the name Hentz is common in the United States, especially in the Midwest.
Many members of the Hentz family have achieved renown across a variety of fields, such as engineering and aerospace. American politician Gene Hentz, entrepreneur Stephen Hentz, civil engineer Urban Hentz, and World War II vet Raymond Hentz have left a lasting legacy and honor the name of the Hentz family.
Overall, the surname Hentz symbolizes strength, courage, and boldness, as well as determination and resilience. It is a reminder of the hardworking and ambitious nature of the first Hentz family members and the values they passed down to their descendants.
Order DNA origin analysisHentz: Where does the name Hentz come from?
The last name Hentz is believed to have originated in Germany, although some records suggest it comes from France. It can still be found in Germany today, particularly in the areas of Thuringia and the Rhineland-Palatinate. It is also present in other parts of Europe, including the Netherlands, Italy, and Austria.
In the United States, the name is fairly common, especially in the South. It is one of the most common surnames in both Arkansas and South Carolina. It is also found in much of the rest of the country, particularly in Pennsylvania, New York, Illinois, Indiana, and Ohio. Canada also has a sizeable number of people bearing the last name.
The meaning behind the name is not definitively known, but it may refer to the German word "Hentz" or "Heintz", which means "the brave". It is possible that the name originated with brave German fighters or even noblemen.
It is also notable that some of the descendants of those original Americans bearing the last name Hentz eventually changed their name to Hendricks. This may have been done to make the name more pronounceable to the English.
Variations of the surname Hentz
Hentz is a surname of German origin. The most common variants are Hents, Hentze, and Hentzsch. These are all names that can be found in various areas of Germany.
The Hents spelling is a version of the name and is most commonly seen throughout Germany, Netherlands and the United States. It is also seen in other countries such as Italy, France, and Austria.
The Hentze spelling is most commonly seen in Northern Germany and Austria. It is also seen in areas of Northern France, Spain, and Portugal. This is the most common spelling of the name.
The Hentzsch spelling is most commonly seen in eastern Germany, the Czech Republic, and Hungary. It is also seen in some areas of Germany, Austria, and Switzerland.
There are various other variants of this surname, including but not limited to, Hentzen, Hentzer, Hentzinger, and Hentschel. Some surnames may also be misspelled as “Hents” or "Hendz".
It is not uncommon for some of these variants to be combined to form what is known as a double-barrelled surname. For example, a married man combining his and his wife’s surname could end up with the surname Hents-Hentze.
Overall, the surname Hentz, and all its variants and combinations, have Germanic roots. Spectators of this surname would most likely be able to treat any spelling of this surname as the same.
Famous people with the name Hentz
- Caroline Lee Hentz: early American novelist and advocate for women's rights.
- Chester A Hentz: early American settler in Illinois who served in the legislature and as a judge.
- Nathaniel Hentz: early American physician and naturalist who was the first to describe what came to be known as rabies.
- E.C. Hentz: early American autodidact, abolitionist, schoolteacher, clerical worker and reformer.
- Klaus Hentz: Swiss politician who served as a Member of the Swiss National Council (2003-2015).
- Adalbert Hentz: German opera composer and conductor.
- Lise Hentz: French actress and model.
- Klaus Hentz: German philologist and author.
- Gene Hentz: American animator and filmmaker.
- Anna Hentz: A Swiss Olympic fencer who won bronze medals at the 1912 Summer Olympics.