Surname Wernz - Meaning and Origin
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Wernz: What does the surname Wernz mean?
The German surname Wernz is derived from the personal name Werner, which in turn is derived from two Germanic elements, the word "weri," meaning "protection," and “hari," meaning "army." It was likely first borne by a warrior, scholar or leader, and the surname Wernz is a diminutive form of the name.
Over time, the Wernz surname developed numerous spelling variations, including Wern, Werner, Werners and Werns. In particular, surnames ending in -er are especially prone to change based on regional dialects, resulting in names such as Werne in northern Germany and Wernz in southern Germany.
People bearing the surname Wernz can be found all over the world. It is common in Germany, particularly in the regions of Baden-Württemberg, Lower Saxony, North Rhine-Westphalia, and Rhineland-Palatinate, but also in Austria, Switzerland, and other countries.
Common occupations of those with the Wernz surname include farmers, bakers, shopkeepers, builders and tradespeople. Wernz may also be found in the world of politics, with prominent families of Wernz having made their mark in local and national governments.
In summary, the surname Wernz is derived from the personal name Werner, which may have been connected to the Proto-Germanic words for protection and army. It is a fairly common German surname and has developed many spelling variations over the centuries. People bearing the surname Wernz can be found all over the world and may have had a variety of professional occupations.
Order DNA origin analysisWernz: Where does the name Wernz come from?
The last name Wernz is most common in countries along the Rhine River in Europe. Specifically in Germany, as well as Luxembourg, Austria, Holland, France and Switzerland.
In Germany, the Wernz name is quite common, especially in the state of Hessen, in the region called Rheinhessen. This is due to the fact the this area has been a very popular destination for people to settle since the 13th century. Wernz families also often come from the cities of Würzburg, Heidelberg, Frankfurt, Mainz, and Cologne.
The Wernz family also has roots in the Alsace region of France, on the border with Germany. This area has seen a large influx of Germanic people, like the Wernz family, since the 16th century.
Outside of Europe, Wernz can be found in places like the United States, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand. This is due to the popularity of immigration from Europe in the 19th and 20th centuries.
The Wernz family is still going strong, and can be found in many parts of the world. No matter where they are today, the Wernz family’s story is rooted in Central Europe and is here to stay.
Variations of the surname Wernz
The surname Wernz is of German, Dutch and Jewish origin. It derives from the Middle High German term "Werinzo", which means "the one that rules". The variants and spellings of the surname are Warns, Warnez, Varns, Verns, and Wernse.
The German name Wernz can also be spelt Varnz, Vernz, and Wehrnz. The Dutch spelling is Warnse. The Jewish variant is Wernse. This family name is often found in the German states of Bavaria, Swabia, Franconia, Silesia, and Austria.
Common surname variations of the same origin include Wernsie, Warnsee, Vernsee, Vernce, and Vernece. In addition, there are several Americanized versions of the surname – Wernsie, Werner, Warriner, and their variants.
Associated spellings and variants of the surname Wernz can be located throughout Austria, South Tyrol, Germany, Belgium, and Luxembourg. In addition, individuals bearing these surnames may be found in the United States, Canada, and Australia.
In the 19th century, a large number of individualsbearing the variants of this surname left European for the United States, Canada, South Africa, and Australia. This migration greatly increased the scope of the surname and extended the reach across a number of countries.
Today, Wernz can be found as a surname in many countries, among diverse religious and cultural backgrounds.
Famous people with the name Wernz
- Carl Wernz: Italian theologian and jurist who served as a professor at the Pontifical Gregorian University.
- Rufino Borrego Wernz: Spanish Goalkeeper and Football Manager who played for FC Barcelona in the 1940s
- Willy Wernz: Swiss composer and conductor who wrote numerous compositions for choirs and orchestras.
- Richard Wernz: Austrian film director and production manager whose works included Prague 1938.
- Gottfried Wernz: German theologian who wrote the encyclopedic Summa theologia moralis in 1886.
- Ellen Heidbüchel Wernz: German painter who founded the Jugendstil Museum in Munich in 1987.
- Helmut Wernz: Austrian engineer and businessman who developed complex systems for the automotive and construction industries.
- Aaron Wernz: German goalkeeper who played for TSV Munich from 1991-2003.
- Chris Wernz: Canadian singer-songwriter and frontman of the band RAM.
- Manda Wernz: Dutch pianist and composer who has written scores for film, television, and theatre.