Surname Lents - Meaning and Origin
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Lents: What does the surname Lents mean?
The surname Lents is of German origin and is derived from the Old German word lint, meaning ‘linen cloth’. This indicates an occupational origin for the surname, where the original bearer likely worked in a profession such as cloth-weaving or linen production. Lents can also originate from the personal name Leon, once a popular Jewish name derived from the Hebrew name Levy, which means ‘joined’. Additionally, Lents has been found as an occupational name in Prussian Silesia, located in modern-day Germany, where it was believed to originate from a family who lived near a mill.
From the 1600s onward, the Lents family name spread across Germany and the countries of Northern Europe. It eventually settled in the United States in the late 19th century, with the earliest recorded Lents immigrants arriving from Deutch Nettelnbau, Germany, in 1880. In fact, the U.S. Census shows that during this time, the Lents surname was concentrated mostly in Pennsylvania and Ohio.
Today, there are over 7,000 individuals in the United States who carry the last name Lents, and its presence looks to continue into the future. Its presence in the United States alone suggests the strength and endurance of the surname, persisting in households across the country to this day.
Order DNA origin analysisLents: Where does the name Lents come from?
The last name Lents is most commonly found among people living in the United States today. According to Ancestry.com, Lents ranks 17,347 among all surnames in the United States. The name is more common in the Midwest and Appalachia. It is estimated that roughly 1,745 people with the last name Lents are living in the United States today.
The surname Lents has German origins and most likely originated from the Middle High German phrase ‘lezone’ or ‘leczone’ which translates to something or someone who carries a bale of alternating light and dark vertical stripes.
While most people with the last name Lents likely come from German heritage, the surname is found among those with English, Hungarian, and Norwegian heritage as well. Lents is the 15,163rd most common surname in the world, making it a relatively rare name in comparison to other names.
People with the last name Lents come from various ethnic backgrounds and have a wide range of values, beliefs, and hobbies. For example, the current mayor of Indianapolis, Indiana is named Joe Lents, while musician and actor Peter Gregg Lents is known for his work in the 1960s folk music scene.
The last name Lents is more than likely to remain a common name among those in the United States for years to come. It is likely that more people with the surname Lents will develop a sense of community and solidarity through reunions, genealogical research, and other related activities as time goes on.
Variations of the surname Lents
The surname Lents is a patronymic surname of Germanic origin derived from the given name, Lentz, which is derived from the Latin name “Lentius”, meaning “the Lenten one”.
Variations of the surname Lents include Lentz, Lens, Lenz, Lenzs, Lenss, Linz, Lynnz, Linnz, Lyntz, Lindt and Linde.
Spellings of the surname Lents are Lent, Lenz, Linnz, Lynnz, Lenzs, Lenss, Linz, Lyntz and Lindt.
Surnames of the same origin as Lents include Lenz, Lentz, Linnz, Lenss, Lynnz, Lenzs, Linz, Lyntz, Lindt and Lint.
The variant spellings most commonly found in American history are Lent and Lenz, due to their popularity amongst early immigration to the United States. Lent has also become popular in the United Kingdom over the past few decades, due to its spelling’s similarity to the English word “lent”.
The surname Lents is most commonly found in Germany, the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada, Brazil and Australia. It is found in a variety of industries, usually including finance, law, engineering, medicine and the sciences.
Famous people with the name Lents
- Jason Lents: Jason is a professional runner turned coach who has trained many young athletes. He is known for his work in running form and biomechanics.
- David Lents: David is a technology executive who currently serves as the Chief Technology Officer of medical device company Stamplight.
- Larry Lents: Larry is a former basketball player and coach. He was also the head coach at the University of Idaho from 2006 to 2012.
- Rick Lents: Rick is an acclaimed producer and songwriter. He has worked with renowned artists such as Michael Jackson, Justin Timberlake, and Bob Dylan.
- Yoko Lents: Yoko is an accomplished Japanese-American pianist. She is known for her interpretation of the works of Mozart, Haydn, and others.
- Andrew Lents: Andrew is an award-winning author, producer, and director. He won a Writer's Guild of America award for the TV movie An American Girl: Chrissa Stands Strong.
- Robert Lents: Robert is an American composer who has won numerous awards for his work. He is best known for his works for TV and film.
- Nick Lents: Nick is a professional photographer and director. His work has been featured in many magazines, books, and artist websites.
- Martin Lents: Martin is a retired German headmaster and former teacher at the Berlin-Brandenburg International School.
- Emily Lents: Emily is a British actor and producer. She is known for her roles in the BBC miniseries The State Within and the upcoming film Uncharted.