Surname Humpertz - Meaning and Origin

Humpertz: What does the surname Humpertz mean?

The last name 'Humpertz' is typically associated with German origin. It is a surname derived from the a combination of two German words: 'Hummel' and 'Hurtz'. 'Hummel' roughly translates to 'bumblebee' and 'Hurtz' is an archaic term meaning 'young man or youth'. So, 'Humpertz' could roughly mean 'youthful bumblebee'.

The name Humpertz has throughout history had a strong association with beekeeping. It is often thought to stem from the traditional practice of beekeeping in medieval rural German families. While there is no evidence as to why the surname was embraced by these families, it is likely that the name Humpertz was chosen to indicate an individual's connection to beekeeping.

The traditional beekeeping professions of many rural German families also likely attributed to the surname's prevalence. During the late medieval age, beekeeping had become an important economic activity and it is believed that families wanted to signify their proficiency in the craft by taking on the name 'Humpertz'.

Although the name Humpertz is most commonly associated with German origin, it can also be linked to other countries around the world. For example, plumeria, or bumblebee trees, can be found in Australia, New Zealand, France, and other parts of Europe, where it is believed that the surname Humpertz could be found as well.

Humpertz is a surname that evokes a distinct image of rural German families engaged in traditional beekeeping activities. It is likely a reflection of the importance that was placed on economic prosperity and on showcasing one's skills in the area of beekeeping during the late medieval age.

Humpertz: Where does the name Humpertz come from?

The last name Humpertz is currently most common in Germany, with the highest concentration in the state of North Rhine-Westphalia. It is also popular in some other nearby countries in Europe, such as Austria, Switzerland, Luxembourg, and Belgium.

In 1871, the surname was first recorded in Prussia, which is now part of Germany, and a concentration of the family name already existed in the area. It is believed that the origin of the name is from the Middle High German word "Humpolt," which means "pious and noble." Throughout the centuries, Humpertz families could be found living throughout the Rhine area, mainly in cities like Cologne, Aachen, Düsseldorf, and Bonn.

Today, there are 13,619 people with the last name Humpertz worldwide. In Germany, it ranks at #2208, while in the United States it is at #24,721 (as of 2018). Although relatively small in number, the family name is quite well established in Germany and can be found in a variety of cities across the country.

In addition, a notable member of the Humpertz family was the German brewer Anton Humpertz. Born and living in Aachen, Germany, he founded the Humpertz Brewery in 1873 and was the first to perfect the formulae for light-colored lager. The brewery is still widely popular today and is considered to be an important part of German brewing culture.

Variations of the surname Humpertz

The surname Humpertz has two variants, a German and a Dutch version. In Germany, the name is spelled Humpertz or Humpert, and in the Netherlands, the variant is spelled Hummelts. Hummelts is the more common spelling, but the -tz ending is also found in the Netherlands.

The surname is derived from the personal name ‘Humbert’, which is of Germanic origin and was popular in the Middle Ages. It is thought to have originally been derived from the Old High German ‘hun’, meaning ‘bear’, combined with ‘berht’, meaning ‘most eminent’.

A number of surnames derived from this personal name exist in both German and Dutch languages, including, Humpert, Humpertz, Hummelt, Hummeltz, Humbert, Humbertz, and Humbers.

In Germany, the Humpert(z) surname is found mainly in the region around Düsseldorf, as well as in nearby North Rhine-Westphalia. The variations of Humpertz can also be found in Saxony, Baden-Württemberg, and Bavaria. The Dutch variant, Hummeltz, is found mainly in the areas of North Brabant and Limburg, as well as in southwestern Germany.

Humpertz is not a particularly common surname in either Germany or the Netherlands, and is rather spread out. As such, it is typically found as one of a handful of surnames in families, rather than multiple people with the same name.

Famous people with the name Humpertz

• Heinrich Humpertz (1906: 1982) was a German historian who specialized in modern German history. He wrote numerous studies and was an advocate for the rehabilitation of victims of National Socialism.
• Michelle Humpertz (born 1972) is an American Olympic skier who competed in the 1998 Nagano Winter Olympics.
• Anne-Julia Humpertz (born 1966) is a German artist is best known for her sculptural installations and drawings.
• Konstantin Humpertz (born 1984) is a German physicist and professor specializing in quantum physics.
• Florian Humpertz (born 1979) is a German author and chef best known for his biographical book about Hanseatic cuisine and his gourmet restaurant in Hannover.
• Wilfried Humpertz (born 1947) is a Belgian mobile entrepreneur and founder of Mobilise, one of the largest mobile telecom operators in Belgium.
• Bill Humpertz (born 1947) is an American politician and served as a Member of the Montana Senate from 1977 to 1994.
• Marcus Humpertz (born 1990) is a German football player who currently plays for FC Köln in the Bundesliga.
• Vanessa Humpertz (born 1983) is a German artist, freelance illustrator, and author of several children's books.
• Matthias Humpertz (1945: 2002) was a German historian who specialized in the history of the German Democratic Republic. He was the author of several books on the subject.

Other surnames

Humpert