Surname Stenz - Meaning and Origin
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Stenz: What does the surname Stenz mean?
The surname Stenz is an occupational name derived from the Middle High German word 'stenze,' meaning a scissor maker. It's likely that people living during the Middle Ages in Germany adopted this surname because of their profession as a scissor maker. This surname was then passed down through the generations, gaining popularity during the 16th century.
The spelling of this name can vary, often seen as Steinz, Steinze, Senz, Sens, Stainz, or Stainze. Sometimes, an 'o' is added to the spelling instead of an 'e', making it Stoinz or Stoinze.
The Stenz surname is common in both the United States and Germany, with more people with this name living in Bavaria, Germany than anywhere else. Records show that immigrants with the Stenz name arrived in America during the mid-1800s, though exact reasons are unknown.
The meaning of the Stenz surname has remained unchanged since its inception in the Middle Ages. It is an indication of the family's likely profession as a scissor maker. The surname has remained common over the centuries, no doubt due to the respect, and indeed necessity of scissor makers in European societies throughout the ages.
Order DNA origin analysisStenz: Where does the name Stenz come from?
The last name Stenz is most commonly found in Germany, where its roots began centuries ago. According to German naming customs, Stenz is a direct patronymic, meaning it is derived from a father’s given name and was passed down from one generation to the next. It is most common in the northern regions of Germany, particularly in the former Prussian territories. This is to be expected as the Prussian region saw a large influx of German settlers from the 14th century onward, many of whom adopted the surname Stenz.
Of course, with time, the name Stenz has become associated with various other countries worldwide. Records of the name Stenz have been found in the United States, Canada, Austria, and Switzerland, among other locations. The name is still fairly rare, however, especially outside of Germany. There are currently very few families bearing the Stenz surname in the UK, for example.
In the present day, Stenz is a very uncommon name, numbering only a few hundred people worldwide as of 2020. Nevertheless, due to its origins in northern Germany, it remains the most common in the region. The majority of those bearing the Stenz surname are likely to descend from the original German settlers of the 14th century and are likely to continue to use it for generations to come.
Variations of the surname Stenz
The surname Stenz is believed to be of German-Jewish origin and has several variants depending on where the family originated from. In Eastern Europe, spelling variants of Stenz include Stance and Stanz; while in Germany and the Netherlands the spellings Stans and Stanss can also be found. In addition, the Stenz surname is sometimes spelled Stens, Stenzin, Stanz, Stanzin, Stanziel, Stanzer, Stanczak, Stanzak, Stanzki, and Stanchak.
One of the most common variants of the Stenz surname is Stenzler. This version is believed to have originated in Silesia (now part of modern-day Germany and Poland). A variation of this name is Stanzler, while other related surnames that evolved from Stenzler include Stenslir, Stenzlar, Stenslar and Stanzlar.
Other surnames with similar origins to Stenz are Sterns and Sternsz, which are believed to have originated from small towns and villages across modern-day Lithuania, Poland, Romania, and Russia. Variants of Sterns include Sternes, Sterny, Sternson, Stanzione, and Stanzioni.
Finally, Stenz is also occasionally seen as a spelling variant of Steinz and Steinzmann. Variations of Steinz include Steinz, Steinzmann, Steinman, Steins, Steinsman, Steinsmann, Stenztoo, Stenztooer, Stanzmann, and Stanztoo.
Ultimately, while different variants of Stenz exist, all of these surnames share a common ancestor—namely, the Jewish families who immigrated from Eastern Europe and Germany to other parts of the world.
Famous people with the name Stenz
- David Stenz, American Film Producer
- Jean Marie Stenz, popular French Politician
- Franziska Stenz, German Sport Scientist
- Elizabeth Stenz, Professor of Kinesiology and Human Performance
- Werner Stenz, German Painter
- Marion Stenz, German Orchestra Conductor
- Mark Stenz, American Music Conductor
- Nathan Stenz, American Soccer Player
- Stephanie Stenz, American FreeStyle Skier
- Peter Stenz, American Violinist