Surname Tantz - Meaning and Origin

Tantz: What does the surname Tantz mean?

The last name Tantz is of German origin. It is thought to have originated as an occupational surname, derived from a West Germanic word for "dance" or "dancer". In this context, the name might have originally referred to a professional dancer, such as a court dancer or the leader of a village court dance in pre-modern Germany. It may also have been derived from the local use of the phrase "n Tänzer" (a dancer).

As with many German names, Tantz was popular in the northern, eastern, and central parts of the country. The spelling of the name has varied over time, and can be found with variations including Tanz, Tancz, Tauns, and Tontz.

Tantz is a relatively rare name, especially in the English-speaking world. Most individuals with this surname live in Germany or other German-speaking regions such as Austria, Switzerland, and Hungary. In America, families with the name are found mainly throughout the Midwest and in the northern Atlantic coast states.

The name is strongly associated with dance, and it is likely that those who bear it today come from families who have a long tradition of artistry and culture. In some cases, it may tell the story of a family rooted in a particular place and dedicated to keeping its culture alive through dance and movement.

Tantz: Where does the name Tantz come from?

Tantz is a German surname derived from the Middle High German verb to dance. It is most common in Germany today, particularly in the northern states of Schleswig-Holstein, Hamburg, and Lower Saxony. In 2018, nearly 5,300 Germans were registered with the Tantz surname, making it the 14,001st most common last name in the country. It is also found previously in both Austria and Switzerland, but to a lesser degree.

Tantz is also found in the United States, particularly in Pennsylvania, Ohio and Maryland. In 2015, nearly 600 people in the United States had the Tantz surname, making it the 19,195th most common surname in the country. It has a particularly strong presence in the Mid-Atlantic region today.

The surname is believed to have originated from a person in the Middle Ages who was an enthusiastic dancer, or had a reputation for being a dancer. The name may have been bestowed upon such a person as a nickname or honorary title.

Variations of the surname Tantz

The Tantz surname is believed to have originated in Westphalia or neighboring regions in Germany. It is a variant and spelling of the German surname Tanz. Other variants and spellings that are derived from Tanz include Taens, Tans, Tantz, Tanks, Tanzes, Tenz, Tenzo, Temes, Tinz, Tonzes and Tanzit. In addition, there are variant spellings based on foreign languages, such as Tonboundi in Spanish and Tons in French.

The surname can also be found in other countries, primarily in Europe, as many families moved away from Germany. For example, variants of Tantz can be found in Russia, where the surname is spelled Teytz, and in Austria, where it is spelled Daenz. Additionally, in the Netherlands, it is spelled Tanze. Other international variant spellings include Tontz in Luxembourish and Antso in Basque.

Some of the variants of Tantz differentiate based on a patronymic or matronymic origin. These include Tanzer, which indicates the father’s name was Tanz, Tantzer, which indicates the mother’s name was Tanz, and Tanser, which also indicates the mother’s name was Tanz. Tanbach, Tanbacher and Tenbacher are also believed to indicate a geographical origin or occupation tied to the surname.

Over time, many variants of Tantz have become surnames in their own right. These include Tant, Tantzinger, Tantmann, Tantzenberger and Tanzl. Furthermore, Tantz is often combined with other surnames to form a hyphenated surname. One example is Tanzo-Beichler, which combines Tanzo with the Germanic word “Beichler.”

Famous people with the name Tantz

• Meg Tantz:501st Legion Darth Vader actress
• Elizabeth Tantz: Award-winning author and illustrator
• August Tantz: Founder of TantzTech, a software development company
• Kari Tantz: Vice President of Human Resources and Talent Management
• Karen Tantz: Professional vocalist and opera singer
• Max Tantz: Professional photographer
• Justin Tantz: Cinematographer
• Robert Tantz: CEO of EarthLyfe Industries
• John Tantz: Director of Strategy at Mercata
• Michael Tantz: Actor, director, and founder of the Actor’s Alliance
• Paul Tantz: Nationally certified personal trainer and fitness consultant
• Carla Tantz: Model, actor, and fitness enthusiast
• Charles Tantz: Business consultant and executive coach
• Kristina Tantz: Executive Chef at Tantz’s Catering
• Alex Tantz: Professional public speaker and seminar leader
• David Tantz: Managing Director at Tantz Global Solutions
• Simon Tantz: Political commentator and award-winning journalist
• Rachael Tantz: Reality TV star
• Joshua Tantz: Award-winning documentary filmmaker
• Marie Tantz: Award-winning playwright.

Other surnames

TantissTäntzerTäntzler