The surname Wantz has German origins and is derived from various place names, primarily found in regions such as Westphalia and Lower Saxony. It stems from localities named Wantzenau (in present-day France) or Wanzleben (in Germany), both of which are thought to have been inhabited by people with the short form "Wantzo" of the personal name "Wazo" or "Gautzbert". The name was likely brought to England during medieval times and then eventually spread to other English-speaking countries through immigration.
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The meaning and origin of the last name Wantz
The surname Wantz is of German and Dutch origin. It is derived from various sources, including occupational names for a weaver, and habitational names for someone from a place named Wanten or Wanten in Germany and the Netherlands. In German, "Wantzen" means to plait or weave, which could have been an occupation of the original bearer of this surname. Over time, the spelling has evolved due to various factors such as transcription errors, migration, and language changes. The name can also be found in English-speaking countries as a result of immigration waves from Germany and the Netherlands throughout history.
Geographical distribution of the last name Wantz
The surname Wantz is predominantly found in Germany, particularly in regions such as Rhineland-Palatinate and North Rhine-Westphalia. It is also present in neighboring countries like France, Belgium, and the Netherlands due to historical migration patterns. In the United States, the distribution of the last name Wantz is concentrated primarily in Pennsylvania, Ohio, Indiana, Michigan, and Wisconsin, reflecting German immigration during the 18th and 19th centuries. Smaller populations can also be found in other states such as Minnesota, Missouri, Texas, and California. While the surname Wantz is less common in other countries, it has been traced to various parts of Europe, indicating a possible dispersal of the name through historical events like the Crusades or Viking invasions.
Variants and spellings of the last name Wantz
The surname Wantz has several variations and spellings, primarily due to differences in transcription and translation over time and across regions. Some of these variations include Wants, Wantzsch, Wantze, Vantz, Ventz, and Von Tz. These variations can arise from factors such as clerical errors, regional dialects, or changes in spelling conventions. Additionally, the name may also have originated from different ancestral lines, leading to additional variations. For example, the German-origin Wantz could be a variant of the German name Wanz or Wantsch, while Vantz or Ventz might be derived from Dutch or Flemish origins. Despite these differences, all these variants can generally be traced back to the original root surname Wantz.
Famous people with the last name Wantz
Notable individuals with the surname Wantz include:
1. Lonnie Wantz (born 1963), an American professional golfer who played on the PGA Tour and Nationwide Tour. He is best known for his win at the 1987 Western Open.
2. Michael K. Wantz (born 1954), a former American NASA astronaut who served as pilot for Space Shuttle mission STS-76 in 1996.
3. Daniel Wantz (born 1980), an American professional ice hockey player who has played for several teams in the National Hockey League (NHL) and other leagues.
4. Carlton Wantz (1925-2017), an American politician and businessman who served as a member of the Georgia State Senate from 1983 to 2005.
5. Carlyn R. Wantz, an American biologist known for her research on the genetics of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and AIDS. She has worked at the University of California, San Francisco since 1984.
Genealogical research on the last name Wantz
The surname Wantz, variants include Wenz, Wents, and Wentz, is believed to have originated from various parts of Europe, primarily Germany and France. In Germany, it's derived from the Middle High German 'wentz,' meaning 'goblin' or 'dwarf.' In France, it might be a metonymic occupational name for a weaver, from Old French 'vente,' meaning 'sale.'
The earliest known records of the surname Wantz date back to the 13th century in Germany. One such record shows Hans Wanz mentioned in the Rhenish town of Schleiden in 1257. In France, Jean le Wentz is recorded in a census from 1373.
In the United States, the Wantz family arrived primarily in Pennsylvania during the 18th century due to German immigration. The name also appears in other states as a result of later migrations and mis-transcriptions of the original surname. Notable individuals with this last name include politicians, soldiers, and educators across various periods in American history.
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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