Surname Knortz - Meaning and Origin
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Knortz: What does the surname Knortz mean?
The last name Knortz comes from the Germanic word 'Kuhnorten', which literally translates to 'courageous Northman'. It is believed to be derived from the Old High German 'kounort' meaning 'brave', 'strong', or 'bold'. In the Middle Ages, last names that ended in -ort were generally given to individuals from northern Germany or Denmark.
The Knortz surname is original from the Mecklenburg-Vorpommern region of Germany, where it spread to other regions of the country. It can also be found in other countries in Europe, such as Austria, Switzerland, and the Netherlands, as well as the United Kingdom and the United States.
Individuals with the Knortz surname are typically strong-minded, independent, and motivated, traits that have carried on throughout the generations. They also generally have an entrepreneurial spirit and a passion for creativity and innovation.
While the Knortz last name may not be overly common, it is a source of pride and has been associated with many notable individuals, including Hans Knortz, one of the first geologists in the United States.
Order DNA origin analysisKnortz: Where does the name Knortz come from?
The surname Knortz is most commonly found in Germany, particularly in the southern state of Bavaria. The largest concentration of Knortz is in the city of Munich, which is the third most populous city in Germany and the capital of Bavaria. According to statistics, there are over 5,000 people with the Knortz surname currently residing in Germany.
The surname Knortz is also found in the United States, particularly in states like Michigan, Pennsylvania, and New York. According to the US Census Bureau, there are over 300 people with the Knortz surname living in the United States. Knortz is also present in Canada, the United Kingdom, and some European countries like Austria, Poland, and the Netherlands.
The surname Knortz is of Germanic origin. The earliest known mentions of it are from the 12th century in Bavaria. The surname means "the brave one" or "the courageous one." The surname Knortz is derived from the German word "knörz," which means "brave" or "courageous."
The Knortz surname is not extremely common today, however, it is still present in Germany, the United States, and some other European countries. With the rise of globalization, it is likely that the surname will continue to spread throughout other countries in the coming future.
Variations of the surname Knortz
The surname Knortz is a Germanic toponymic surname derived from the word "Knörz," a dialect term which either meant "dirt" or was derived from the place where someone lived. Variants of the surname Knortz include Knourts, Knorz, Knorts, Knorz, Knertz, Knörtz, Knörtz, and Knötz.
Knortz is also spelled phonetically as Knörts, Knerts, Knöerts, and Knöts. Other spellings include Knirtz, Knartz, Knertz, Knörz, and Knötzen. In some cases the letter "z" may be substituted with an "s", as in "Knorts" or "Knortsz".
Surnames derived from the same origin as Knortz include Knöepping, Knöbling, Knorpp, Knöppler, Knöpfel, Knößel, Knoerzinger, Knößler, Knöckel, and Knörrer. These variants may also be found in other German-speaking countries, particularly in Austria.
Generally speaking, the origin of the surname Knortz is associated with someone who lived in an area characterized by dirt, and this line of thinking is reflected in many of the variants and spellings which originated from the same root word. While spelling variations of the surname may be traced to various countries, Germany is the most likely origin for the Knortz surname.
Famous people with the name Knortz
- Ludwig Knortz: German mathematician, noted particularly for his work on number theory.
- Christopher Knortz: American historian specializing in early medieval studies.
- Ferdinand Knortz: German architect and co-designer of the Residenzschloss Cassel.
- Michael Knortz: German-born actor who has been appearing on several TV series.
- Julius Knortz: Austrian writer, author of the novel “Der Henker”.
- Randy Knortz: American rock and roll musician.
- William Knortz: American politician and former member of the Delaware House of Representatives.
- Julius Hermann Knortz: German professor of philosophy, noted for his work on the philosophy of language.
- Karl Knortz: German-American army surgeon who served in both the American Civil War and the Spanish-American War.
- Hermann Knortz: German architect and professor of architecture at the University of Kaiserslautern.