Surname Pongraz - Meaning and Origin

Pongraz: What does the surname Pongraz mean?

The last name Pongraz is of Germanic origin and is typically found in Germany, Austria, Switzerland, and the United States. It has several variations, such as Pongratz, Pongrat, and Pongern.

The name is thought to derive from the Old German words “pong”, meaning “spreading”, and “raz”, meaning “rapid”, implying that the original bearer of the name was a person who moved swiftly. It is also possible that the name was derived from the Old German word “pungen”, meaning “to take” - in this case, the original bearer of the name could have been a merchant or tradesman.

The Pongraz family crest, which features two keys, is said to be a symbol of honesty and trustworthiness - it is thought that the keys represent the idea that the bearer is reliable, trustworthy, and capable of holding secrets safely.

The Pongraz name is thought to have originated with the Germanic knights who occupied the Rhineland in the 14th and 15th centuries, and spread over the centuries through marriage. Later on, the name was taken to North America when German immigrants began migrating in the 1700s.

Today, the Pongraz last name is typically associated with strong ethics and loyalty, making it a distinctive and meaningful choice for those who want to honour their ancestors and convey these qualities to the world.

Pongraz: Where does the name Pongraz come from?

The last name Pongraz is an uncommon surname today, but has its roots in Northern Europe. The name is believed to have originated either in Austria or Hungary. It first became well-known when an Austrian noble family of that name was influential in the area in the 16th century.

The presence of the name Pongraz in Europe since the 16th century may suggest that it started as a toponym, referring to a place of origin. Some historians point to the Pongratz castle ruins in Hungary as a likely source. However, this has not been proven.

The Pongraz name is no longer as common in today’s Austria and Hungary as it once was. In Austria, only about 420 people hold the Pongraz name as of 2015, and the surname is slowly fading from use. In Hungary, the name is even more rare, with only a few hundred people using it.

In the United States, the name Pongraz is much more prevalent, with nearly 2,500 people with that name as of the last census. Many of these people can trace their roots back to Hungarian or Austrian immigrants who brought the name with them to the new world. The name has also spread throughout Europe and can be found in places such as France, Germany, and the United Kingdom.

Overall, the last name Pongraz is quite rare today but has deep roots in Northern Europe, primarily in Austria and Hungary.

Variations of the surname Pongraz

Pongraz is a German surname that has numerous variants, spellings, and surnames of the same origin.

One variant of the surname Pongraz is Burgsweetz, which is a Germanized version of the name. It is formed from the German words burgin (meadow) and sütz (sweet).

A second variation of the surname Pongraz is Punkes, which is a shortened version of the name. It is derived from the Middle High German word punke, which means ‘little man’ or ‘dwarf.

The spelling of the surname Pongraz can also be altered slightly to read Pongrats or Pongrätz.

Other surnames of the same origin as Pongraz include Punge, Pünge, and Punger. Additionally, the Dutch surnames Ponje, Ponjee, and Pontje are derived from the same origin as Pongraz.

Also related to the surname Pongraz are the surnames Poncet, Ponce, and Ponzer, which are variants of the French surnames Pongier and Ponser. Pongier and Ponser are derived from the Latin word for ‘pound’, pons.

Finally, the surnames Pangratz and Pontz are further variants of the surname Pongraz. Both are derived from the German word ponken, which means ‘pound’.

In conclusion, Pongraz has numerous variants, spellings, and surnames of the same origin. These include Burgsweetz, Punkes, Pongrats, Pongrätz, Punge, Pünge, Punger, Ponje, Ponjee, Pontje, Poncet, Ponce, Ponzer, Pongier, Ponser, Pangratz, and Pontz.

Famous people with the name Pongraz

• Mitch Pongraz: Professional dancer and choreographer based out of Los Angeles, California.
• Valentina Pongraz: Professional figure skater from Germany.
• Jeffrey Pongraz: Professional chef and restaurateur from Texas.
• Rusty Pongraz: Award-winning costume designer based in New York City.
• Thomas Pongraz: Professional photographer from England.
• Xavier Pongraz: Professional snowboarder from Switzerland.
• Jeni Pongraz: Award-winning visual artist from New York City.
• Ronald Pongraz: Member of the Florida Bar, practicing law in Miami.
• Delphine Pongraz: Professional pianist and songwriter from France
• Henry Pongraz: Professional archer from California.

Other surnames

Pongratz