Surname Kientze - Meaning and Origin
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Kientze: What does the surname Kientze mean?
The last name Kientze is of German and Dutch origin, with similar spellings in both languages. In German, the name is spelt Kientz and in Dutch, Kientze. In both languages, the meaning of the name is similar, and can be translated to mean either "Kiehn's son" or "Kinte's son".
Kien is a short form of various Old Germanic names beginning with Kint- or Kunth- such as Konrad or Konstantin. It has also been linked to Knud, a Scandinavian name derived from the Old Norse knútr, meaning "knot". The suffix "tze" is a diminutive, suggesting an affectionate, familial bond.
In the United States, the Kientze surname is listed as one of the earliest surnames to be used in America, with families settling in Pennsylvania, Virginia, and Maryland in the 17th century; some had come from Germany, while others descended from Dutch settlers. The spelling changed to Kientz throughout the 1800s, and gradually shifted to Kientze over the next decades.
The Kientze surname is still quite prevalent in Germany and coastal New England. It is also common amongst some Pennsylvania Dutch, an ethnic group tracing their origins to German-speaking peoples. In the USA, the Kientze spelling is the most common, though Kientz is also used by some families.
Today, the Kientze surname is representative of a deep European heritage, and is a testament to the strong familial bonds that the Kientze ancestors carried with them to the United States.
Order DNA origin analysisKientze: Where does the name Kientze come from?
The last name Kientze is a common last name in Germany and Austria. It is also found in smaller numbers in the Netherlands, Denmark, and Sweden. There are also some Kientzes in the United States, with some of the earliest settlers of the name arriving in the late 18th century.
The origin of the last name Kientze is considered to be from the German name Kientzig, however other circumstances may also have lead to the spelling of Kientze.
The highest concentration of Kientzes in Germany is in the Bavarian region, where it is quite common. It is also quite common in the small district of Lippe in the Ruhr region of western Germany, and in the towns of Greven, Schapen, Oesterwurth, and Aurich in the state of Lower Saxony.
The main areas where Kientzes to be found in the United States are in Pennsylvania, Maryland, and Texas, however Kientzes can now be found throughout the country.
The main occupations of the Kientzes in Germany are said to be craftspeople and laborers, although the last name can now be found in a variety of occupations. It is reported that many Kientzes contribute to the German language and to German culture through continued education and social interaction.
Variations of the surname Kientze
The surname Kientze is of German origin. It is derived from the given name Kientz and is part of a German family of surnames originally derived from the given name. Variants of the surname Kientze include Kientz, Kienz, Kintze, Kienze, Kientzel and Kientzler.
Kientze is sometimes seen as a variation of the German-Jewish surname Kintz, which comes from the Yiddish word "künts" meaning "cunning".
Kientz can also be linked to the German personal name Konrat, which is derived from the Germanic word for "wise counsel." As a result, some individuals from this family of surnames have adopted the spelling Kontze.
Spellings of the surname Kientze include Kientz with an "i" and Kientzel with an "el". Surnames of the same origin include Kienz, Kintze, Kientzel and Kientzler.
Kientze is an uncommon surname, but is most popular in southeastern Germany, particularly in Brandenburg and the Black Forest region. It is also found in the Czech Republic, in some parts of Austria and in several other European countries. In the United States, Kientze is represented in only a few states, the largest population being in California, Arizona, and Missouri.
Famous people with the name Kientze
- Richard Kientze: Richard Kientze is an American businessman and entrepreneur and is the former president and CEO of Kientze Brothers Grocery.
- William Kientze: William Kientze was a prominent banker and investor best known to be the assistant cashier of Marine National Bank.
- Walter Kientze: Walter Kientze is a famous architect who specialized in designing churches and residential areas.
- Robert Kientze: Robert Kientze is a German composer who is known for songs like “Schwarze Seele” and “Hamburg Soul”.
- Luise Kientze: Luise Kientze is a German fashion designer who is best known for her luxury handbags.
- Joseph Kientze: Joseph Kientze is a former Politburo member and former Prime Minister of the Federal Republic of Germany.
- Justin Kientze: Justin Kientze is a renowned American artist and sculptor who created intricate stone sculptures.
- Julie Kientze: Julie Kientze is the founder and CEO of Kientze’s Little Acres, a residential boot camp for troubled youth.
- Laura Kientze: Laura Kientze is an Australian author who wrote the novel The Shadow of a Falcon and other works.
- Kat Kientze: Kat Kientze is a professional tennis player who is known for her competitive and aggressive playing style.