Surname Werntz - Meaning and Origin
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Werntz: What does the surname Werntz mean?
The last name Werntz is of Germanic origin and is believed to have derived from the name Werner. It is thought to originally have been a term of endearment, derived from the Germanic term wer, meaning ‘protector’ or ‘defender’ and (-ntz) meaning ‘son of’. The name would have been given to someone who demonstrated qualities of strength, leadership, and courage to protect or defend another.
The original spelling of the name was Werner, but subsequent derivations have seen the name morph and become Werntz. The variations include Wrentz, Wertz, and Wirz. It is not uncommon for surnames to undergo these spelling changes over time, as families moved and settled in different regions and wrote their names differently according to the regional dialects and accents.
The surname is fairly common in Germany, where it is most heavily concentrated. However, it is also found in Austria, Switzerland and other parts of Europe, as well as North America, although it is less frequent.
The Werntz family name has been associated with military service throughout its history, leading many to honour their ancestors through service in the armed forces. This legacy of leadership, protection and defence has been passed on from generation to generation, cementing the name's legacy of courage and strength in the face of danger.
Order DNA origin analysisWerntz: Where does the name Werntz come from?
The last name Werntz is most commonly found in parts of North America and Europe today. In the United States, it is most prominently found in the states of Pennsylvania, Indiana, Illinois, and Ohio, as well as smaller amounts in other states like New York, Michigan, and Florida. In Canada, the name is found mainly in Ontario. In Europe, the name is mostly found in Germany, France, and the Netherlands.
Overall, the Werntz surname is present in small numbers in these regions. Most people with this surname tend to be of German or French descent. In fact, the earliest known records of the Werntz surname dating back to 1000 AD show that the name originated from Heilbronn, Germany. It is believed that this family moved to other countries in later generations as France and Germany faced social and economic turmoil.
Research suggests that a number of people adopted the Werntz surname after migrating to America. It is thus likely that many people with the surname are descended from a smaller number of original Werntzes who moved from Europe to the United States.
The surname Werntz is typically found in places with higher historic populations of French and German immigrants, making it relatively uncommon overall in North America and Europe today.
Variations of the surname Werntz
The surname Werntz is an old Germanic surname, originally found only in Germanic countries such as Germany, Austria, and Switzerland. The name Werntz is derived from the German word 'wern', meaning 'to protect' or 'to guard'. The name likely came to signify a family protected by some form of divine providence, or blessed with protective powers.
Variants of the surname Werntz include Wernz, Werncz, Wernicz, Wertz, Wurz, Wirtz, Wurts, and Wurs. They are all variants of the same origin surname, with some being more popular in certain countries than others.
Spellings of the surname Werntz include Werntz, Wernz, Werncz, Wernicz, Wirtz, Wurz, Woltz, Wurts, and Wurs. Most of these spellings are likely regional variations, with certain implementations of the surname being used more frequently by certain countries than others.
The form of the surname Werntz is also adopted as a surname in many other countries and cultures, such as the USA, UK, and Canada as well as many other countries in Europe. In English-speaking countries, the surname can sometimes be spelled Wirtz, or Wurtz.
In short, the surname Werntz is a Germanic name, derived from the word 'wern' meaning to protect or guard. It has many variants and spellings which vary between countries, such as Wernz, Werncz, Wernicz, Wirtz, Wurz, Woltz, Wurts, and Wurs, as well as other forms such as Wirtz and Wurtz.
Famous people with the name Werntz
- David Werntz: former advisor to former Indiana Governor Evan Bayh.
- Michelle Werntz:the first female commandant of the Marine Corps.
- Benjamin Werntz: Founding director of the Thomas and Stork House in Germany.
- Eric Werntz: Former deputy under secretary of defense for strategy and force development in the United States Department of Defense.
- Victor Werntz: Winner in men’s short track speed skating at the 2018 Winter Olympics.
- Garth Werntz: Professional football player for the Oakland Raiders.
- Dr. Sidney Werntz: Author of "Psychological Foundations of Education".
- Rainer Werntz: Founder of online education platform Delta Concept.
- Susan Werntz: Former president of Prudential Realty Group Inc.
- Kathryn Werntz: U.S. Army medic deployed to Iraq during Operation Iraqi Freedom.