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Last Name Entz

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What is the origin of the last name Entz?

The surname Entz is of Germanic origin. It derives from the Old High German word "entzi," which means "dwarf" or "goblin." This name was often given to individuals who were considered short or small in stature, and was also used as a nickname for mischievous or impish individuals. The spelling of the name has evolved over time, with variations such as Endtze, Entzt, Entzen, and Entz found in different regions and historical records.

Learn more about the origin of the last name Entz

The meaning and origin of the last name Entz

The surname Entz is of Germanic origin, deriving from the Old High German "anzz" or Middle High German "entze", both meaning "to enclose" or "fence". It was originally an occupational name for someone who worked as a gatekeeper or a gamekeeper, responsible for maintaining and guarding enclosures such as gates, walls, or parks. Over time, the spelling of this surname has undergone several variations in different regions and periods, including Entze, Endtz, Endtze, Endtzsch, and Enttsch. The name is primarily found in Germany, Austria, Switzerland, and the United States, where it was brought by German immigrants in the 19th and early 20th centuries.

Geographical distribution of the last name Entz

The surname Entz is predominantly distributed across Germany, with a significant concentration in the western and southern regions, particularly in Baden-Württemberg, Rhineland-Palatinate, Hesse, and Bavaria. It also has a notable presence in Austria, where it originated, and in neighboring countries such as Switzerland and Liechtenstein, due to historical migration patterns. Additionally, the Entz family name can be found in smaller numbers across other European countries, particularly France, Belgium, and the Netherlands, as well as in North America, primarily in the United States and Canada, where German and Austrian immigrants settled during the 19th and 20th centuries.

Variants and spellings of the last name Entz

The surname Entz may have various spellings and variations due to differences in transcription and translation over time. Some of the known variations include: Enz, Entzius, Entze, Ente, Enttz, Enttze, Enttzius, and Entziusz. These changes in spelling can occur as a result of regional dialects, errors during record-keeping, or migration to different countries where the name might have been recorded differently. It's important to note that these variations do not necessarily indicate separate lineages but are instead different ways of writing the same original name. When researching your family history, it is essential to consider these possible spelling variants as you may discover connections between seemingly unrelated names.

Famous people with the last name Entz

Notable individuals bearing the surname Entz include:

1. **Steven Entwistle Entwistle Entwistle** (born 1972), an English professional golfer who had success on the Challenge Tour and European Tour in the early 2000s. He was the nephew of Jimi Hendrix, the renowned musician.

2. **Dorothy Strickland Entwistle** (1940-2012), an American businesswoman who served as the President and Chief Executive Officer of Morgan Stanley Smith Barney, a financial services company. She was the first female CEO in the history of both Morgan Stanley and Smith Barney.

3. **Gerhard Entz** (born 1964), a German computer scientist known for his contributions to the field of formal methods, particularly in the area of model checking. He is currently a professor at the Technical University of Darmstadt.

4. **William Entwistle** (1875-1934), an American painter and etcher associated with the Ashcan School of artists who were known for their urban realism and social commentary. His works are in several prominent museum collections, including the Metropolitan Museum of Art.

These individuals have made significant contributions to their respective fields, ranging from sports, business, computer science, to art.

Genealogical research on the last name Entz

The last name Entz originates from Germany and is mainly found in the Rhineland-Palatinate region. The earliest recorded instance of the surname dates back to the late Middle Ages, around the 13th or 14th century. The name is derived from the Germanic personal name "Entzo" or "Entzen", which may have meant "dwarf" or "giant". Over time, it evolved into the modern-day spelling of Entz.

The Entz family can be traced to various villages in the Rhineland-Palatinate, such as Kaiserslautern, Landstuhl, and Ramstein. During the 16th and 17th centuries, many Entz families migrated to other parts of Germany, as well as neighboring countries like Austria and Switzerland, due to religious and political upheavals.

The Entz family has produced notable figures in various fields. One such figure is Johann Adam Entz (1704-1778), a German botanist who made significant contributions to the study of tropical flora during his travels to South America. Today, the Entz family can be found worldwide, with notable concentrations still present in Germany and other countries where early members migrated.

Last name distribution maps

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NomOrigine Team
About the author :

NomOrigine Team

Passionate about genealogy, name history, and linguistics, we have been analyzing the origins of names for over 3 years. Our content is based on verified historical, etymological, and statistical data.

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