Surname Bretz - Meaning and Origin
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Bretz: What does the surname Bretz mean?
The last name Bretz is believed to be of Germanic origin. It is derived from the Germanic given name “Berchtold”, which is derived from “Berht”, meaning bright, and “wald”, meaning rule or power. This would indicate that the original bearer of the Bretz surname was a powerful, influential individual.
The Bretz name first appears in German records around the 15th century, and refers to families living around the areas that are now part of modern Germany. In the 19th century, many families bearing the Bretz surname emigrated to the United States, most likely in search of a better life and more opportunity.
Today, the last name Bretz is common throughout the world, as it has been carried by generations of immigrants and their descendants. In the United States, the name is most commonly found in Minnesota, Texas, Wisconsin, and Pennsylvania.
The Bretz surname is a reminder of the power, ambition, and resourcefulness of its original bearer. It is also a testament to the history of migration and relocation that has taken place in recent centuries, which has seen the Bretz surname spread across the globe and enriched many cultures in its wake.
Order DNA origin analysisBretz: Where does the name Bretz come from?
The last name Bretz is common today primarily in the United States, with a very small population also in Canada. According to the US Census Bureau, there are 2,515 people with the last name Bretz living in the US. The highest concentration of those with the name is found in Midwestern states such as Wisconsin and Michigan.
Many of those who carry the name are descended from the original German immigrants who brought the name with them when they arrived in America in the late 1800's and early 1900's. This immigration wave was largely driven by heavy industry-related opportunities in these Midwestern states. In some East German regions, however, people with the name Bretz have descended from those who remained in Europe from which the initial immigration wave originated.
The Bretz name maintains a presence in many areas of Midwestern culture today. There are several companies and organizations with Bretz in their name that provide goods, services, and other benefits to those living in these states, such as the Bretz Equipment Company in Michigan, the Bretz Farms in Wisconsin, and the Bretz News Network in Ohio.
In Germany, the name Bretz is much less common but still present. The most prominent geographical reference is the town of Bretzenheim near Mainz, which dates back to the Middle Ages. In recent times, the Bretz surname has become more common in the Rhineland region as immigrants from countries such as Romania, Turkey, and Italy have given the Bretz name a presence in Germany.
Variations of the surname Bretz
The surname Bretz is a variant of the German surname Bretschneider. It is likely that the surname originated with someone who made or sold metalwork items, such as helmet decorations or bridle parts, known as “Bretzchen” in German.
Other variants of the highest frequency of Bretz include: Bretsch, Bretschneid, Bretschneider, Bretzschneider, Brettschneider, Bretz, Brez, Brezes, Brezsch, Brezschneider, Brezz, Brezze, Brezzes, Brezzsch, Brezzschneider, Brezzze, and Brezzzes.
Additional yet less widespread variants, spellings and surnames of the same origin include: Breitsch, Breitschneid, Breitsch, Breitschneider, Bretch, Bretez, Brethes, Brethesch, Bretheschneider, Brettch, Brettsch, Bretzch, Brittzschneider, and Bruetz.
The spellings Breutch, Breutsch, Breutsch, Breutzch, Breutzsch, and Pretz are also recorded.
The surname Bretz is found in Germany, Austria, and the United States, but is not common in any of these countries. In the United States, the most frequently found states for the surname Bretz are Wisconsin, Minnesota, Pennsylvania, and Illinois.
Famous people with the name Bretz
- Thomas Bretz: German geophysicist known for developing the kr11 equation which has greatly increased the understanding of hydrology
- Cameron Bretz: Actor with roles in multiple recent films
- Jana Bretz: German actress best known for her role in the soap opera Gute Zeiten, schlechte Zeiten
- Jakob Bretz: Swiss writer and poet
- Johannes Bretz: German politician
- Ramona Bretz: American singer-songwriter
- Steven Bretz: American musician, producer, and songwriter
- John Bretz: American professional athlete and former NFL linebacker
- Anthony Bretz: American army soldier and Purple Heart recipient
- Mark Bretz: American film director and editor.