Surname Meetze - Meaning and Origin

Meetze: What does the surname Meetze mean?

The last name Meetze is a surname of German origin. It is derived from the ancient word "mietze" which means "little mouse". The name likely originated as a nickname for someone who was small and mouse-like in character.

In the early days of German-speaking culture, the last name Meetze was applied to a person who was tidy or prudent. It was also used in reference to someone who was especially skilled at dealing with small items or equipment. The surname first appeared in records in the 12th century.

Since that time, the surname has spread across Europe and is now found in many different countries. It is most common in Germany, Switzerland, and Austria, but there are also recorded Meetze families in France, Belgium, Hungary, and the Netherlands. It is also found in America, although it is much rarer here.

It is estimated that there are around 1,500 people in the world who bear the last name Meetze. As a whole, the Meetze family is thought to be quite influential, having been highly respected in the Middle Ages.

Meetze: Where does the name Meetze come from?

Meetze is a rather uncommon surname today, with few records appearing in the U.S. census. The vast majority of those with this last name live in the United States. In the 2010 census, there were just 67 people with this surname.

The highest concentration of Meetzes can be found in South Carolina - this state is home to 49 of the 67 recorded U.S. Meetzes. Many of these Meetzes likely trace their roots back to the German immigrant Johannes Meyer, who arrived in Charleston in 1752. This was a common Anglicization of the original German name Meyer for the purpose of easier pronunciation in the English-speaking world.

Smaller populations of Meetzes are scattered throughout the country, including Washington, Ohio, Texas, Florida, Tennessee, and other states. Overall, though, there are not many Meetzes left in the United States. The careful, though not necessarily accurate, tracking of family names can be a great way to trace one's ancestry and discover relatives living in other places.

Variations of the surname Meetze

The surname Meetze is believed to be of German origin, and derives from the Middle German “metze”, meaning “to mix” or “to knit”. It is also believed to be a nickname referring to a mason.

Variant spellings of the surname Meetze are Meets, Meitz, Meyts, Meytz, Mazu, Macsu, Metse, Metse, Metzee, Metzger and Metzner.

The surname Meetze is common in Germany, where it is most frequently spelled Meetz. In the United States, the surname is most commonly spelled Metz.

Surnames of similar origin include Matz, Matschke, Metzler and Mechling, which all either derive from the Old German word “mahta”, meaning “to mix”, or from the Middle High German surname “maz”, meaning “mason”.

Other related surnames are Meatz, Meats, Metts, Metsch, Mette, Metter, Metthe, Metschke, Mitzel, Mettey, Mittz, Mittel and Mittler.

Some of the notable bearers of the surname metz include Swiss footballer Dario Metz, American musicologist Dr. Judith Meitz Copeland and Australian scientist Bill Metze.

Famous people with the name Meetze

• Gary Meetze: Gary is an American retired Major League Baseball player who played as an outfielder in the Major and Minor leagues between 1955 and 1962. 2.Capt. Robert Meetze: Robert was the first person recorded with the last name Meetze. He served in the Revolutionary War and was granted a land grant in 1776.
• Michael Meetze: Michael is an American voice actor and musician who has had roles in the animation series "Sofia the First" and voice work in the films "Iron Man" and "Thor".
• Dr. Robert S. Meetze: Robert is an accomplished American cardiologist and professor who is the author of various books and articles in the field.
• Richard Meetze: Rich is an American fashion photographer and designer whose work has been featured in various magazines and campaigns including Vogue, Harpers Bazaar, and Elle.
• Henry Meetze: Henry was a German-born religious writer who wrote the book "An Account of the Eighteenth Century Methodist Revival", which chronicles the origins of the Methodist Church.
• Frederick C. Meetze: Frederick was an American electrical engineer and aircraft designer who co-designed the Grumman F4F Wildcat fighter plane.
• Benjamin Meetze: Benjamin was an American soldier who served in the Civil War and is buried in the Hollywood Cemetery in Richmond, Virginia.
• Julius Meetze: Julius was an American farmer and landowner from South Carolina who owned over 1,000 acres of prime farming land.
• James C. Meetze: James is an American bishop of the United Methodist Church who currently serves as the Resident Bishop in the South Carolina Conference of the United Methodist Church.

Other surnames

Meetz