Surname Lence - Meaning and Origin

Lence: What does the surname Lence mean?

The last name Lence is a German and Dutch surname traditionally believed to have been derived from the word lance orlaunce, which shares the same root as the Latin word meaning “lance” or “spear”. This suggests that the surname was likely used to refer to someone who made a living by using or working with these weapons.

Historically, medieval Europe was a period of time when many people found that their skills could be put to use in crafts, trade, and warfare. As a result, surnames were often used to identify a person’s occupation, and for those associated with warfare, the use of the word lance was common. It is possible that those bearing the last name Lence were related to or employed by a lord or nobleman in some capacity, although the exact details are not known.

The surname Lence is believed to have been established in Europe prior to the Norman conquest of 1066, and could have been present in other parts of Europe before then. It is found in remote locations like the Netherlands and Germany, and is also found in various locations in the United States, Canada and Australia. The popularity of the surname has since expanded, and variations of the name such as Launce have also become more commonplace.

The meaning of the last name Lence is likely derived from the Germanic and Dutch word lance or launce, and indicates a past association with warfare. The surname is believed to have been established prior to the Norman conquest of 1066, and is still found in various locations worldwide today.

Lence: Where does the name Lence come from?

The last name Lence is most commonly found in countries of Germanic heritage, particularly Germany, Austria, and Switzerland. The prevalence of this surname can be attributed to its roots in Germanic language and culture.

In its original form, the Lence surname is believed to have originated more than two centuries ago. Speculation suggests that this surname originated from a Germanic personal name. The popular theories of origin center around the medieval personal name Lence—the name of the son of a mountaineer and the name of the manager of a public house.

Today, the Lence surname is commonly found in English-speaking countries such as the United States and Canada, the United Kingdom, Australia, New Zealand, and South Africa. It is also still found in Europe, with the surname continuing to be commonly used in Germany, Austria, and Switzerland.

In the United States, the 2000 census reported there were 975 Americans bearing the Lence surname, mainly located in California, Pennsylvania, Michigan, New York, and Florida.

It is likely the number of Americans with the Lence surname has increased since then, as this surname is relatively common among German immigrants to the United States and elsewhere. It is estimated that this surname is also found in large numbers in other countries, such as Canada, especially in Alberta, Ontario, and British Columbia.

Although not as widespread today as some other last names, the Lence surname remains relatively common in countries with German heritage.

Variations of the surname Lence

The surname Lence is generally believed to have originated from a place name in France. Variations of this surname include Lenc, Lenche, Lants, Lance, Lannce, Lents, Linch and Lints. It is also believed to have had variants relating to the French word lance, such as Lancy and Lancey.

In France, one of the main variations of the surname Lence is Lenc. Spelling and pronunciations of this variant vary between regions, with some using the changing the ‘c’ to a ‘g’ to create an anglicised version. As such, Lenc has come to be used interchangeably with Leng.

In England and other English-speaking countries, Lence is generally spelled as ‘Lance’. This variant was likely adapted to the English spelling upon the arrival of Lence immigrants to the British Isles. It has also been Anglicized further with additional spellings such as Lannce, Lancey and Lants.

Other variants of the surname Lence include Lenton, Lents, Linch and Lints. These variations are believed to have evolved over time as the name was transcribed and reproduced in different languages and dialects as the Lence family dispersed across Europe and into the United States.

In the United States, the surname Lence has been adapted differently once more. Some surnames derived from Lency include Lency, Lenchi, Lush, Lonce, Louce and Launce.

Overall, the surname Lence is thought to have an impressive and interesting history with many variations and spellings. Each family branch has likely amended and changed the name to suit the current language and culture, now leaving an even larger spread of spellings to keep track of.

Famous people with the name Lence

• Victoria Lence: Aviation Executive, featured in Fortune Magazine's report on "41 Women Who Shattered Glass Ceilings in 2020".
• Nina Lence: professional soccer player, part of the Sweden Women's National Football Team.
• Boris Lence: renowned Swiss tennis player and two-time winner of the Swiss Championships.
• Sharon Lence: Actor, comedian, and TV host known for her appearances in movies such as Girls Try Harder, My Secret Santa, and Asunder.
• Michael Lence: CEO of the Intelligence and Special Projects Agency, an organization which works to protect the nation's critical infrastructure from cyber attacks.
• Kael Lence: composer and musician, best known for writing the film score of 2017's Golden Globe-winning film The Lavender Horse.
• John Lence: Producer and executive at 20th Century Fox, who’s done notable work on films such as Deadpool and Argo.
• Timothy Lence: Actor and producer, best known for his roles on the television series Strike Back and Charmed.
• Natasha Lence: Award-winning hairstylist, known for her “Signature Magic Hair Weavings”, and former contestant on the television show Next Top Hairstylist.
• Agnes Lence: Renowned jewelry designer, whose works have appeared in Vogue and Elle magazine.

Other surnames

LencasterLencastreLenchLenck