Surname Lentzer - Meaning and Origin
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Lentzer: What does the surname Lentzer mean?
The last name Lentzer is of German origin. It is thought to be derived from the German word “Lintzer”, which is a type of trowel used for the cleaning and laying of brick and masonry. The surname may have developed over time to form Lentzer, and it is thought to indicate an ancestor of the family was a mason.
The family crest associated with the Lentzer name features a mason's trowel on top of three stars, likely representing the travelled path of the Lentzer family. This connects the family to a history of trade and skilled labour, which is common amongst German immigrants of the 16th-19th centuries.
Today, the Lentzer name is not commonly found in Germany, however it does have a small number of people in the United Kingdom, the United States, Canada, and Austria.
Given its German origin, modern-day Lentzers have likely inherited a hardworking, industrious nature. Likely having an affinity for travel, the Lentzer family members may have the flexibility and resources to move and explore enough to recognise an opportunity when it arises. The Lentzer name is a reminder of a forefather’s tenacious work ethic and skill in laying brick and masonry, and modern-day Lentzers may carry on their ancestor’s legacy of virtue and strength.
Order DNA origin analysisLentzer: Where does the name Lentzer come from?
The last name Lentzer is most commonly found in the United States today. It is primarily concentrated in the Midwest and Mid-Atlantic states, such as Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Ohio, Indiana, Michigan, and Illinois. It is also found in other regions of the country, including the Southwest states of Texas and Arizona and the Southern state of North Carolina.
The surname Lentzer is of German origin, which is the most common ethnic origin for this name in America. According to Ancestry.com, other countries with high numbers of Lentzer families include Germany, Austria, Netherlands, and Switzerland.
The meaning of the surname Lentzer is unclear. It is thought that the name may come from the German verb "lenzen," which means to look, watch, wait, or observe.
It is believed the Lentzer family is of fairly recent origin, as there is no information on early written records of the name. However, the first known Lentzer in America is believed to be Johann George Lentzer who was born in 1747 in Germany. He emigrated to Pennsylvania and is considered the founder of the Lentzer family in America.
In modern times, the Lentzer name continues to be fairly common, especially in countries with German-speaking populations. It is likely the name will continue to be found across America and around the world in the coming years.
Variations of the surname Lentzer
Lentzer is a surname of German/Low German origin, although the exact etymology of the word is not known. In the United States, there are several variants and spellings seen of this surname, including Lansing, Lanstauter, Leentz, Lenzen, Lense, Lenst, Lenz, Lenzer, and Lentzel. The surname may also be found as Tanzer, Tanser, and Tanzner in some parts of Germany.
The low German spelling of Lentzer is likely to be Lanzter, and there is some confusion among modern-day German researchers as to whether the origin of the name is based in a word referencing a sharp lance, or from an area of Germany known as Lanztal.
In some cases, the surname may be found with a double s instead of a single z, as Lentzser. This variant of the name is mainly associated with regions in North America affected by German migration.
The various spellings of the Lentzer surname are seen in family lines stretching across continental Europe, especially in places like Germany, the Netherlands, Austria, Hungary, and the United States. It is also found in countries with German citizenry, such as Palestine and Brazil.
The variants and surnames of the same origin for the Lentzer surname suggest that the name has had several different roots and branches in its family tree. Alternative spellings may have been adopted over time as families moved to different countries and changed their surname to reflect more local pronunciation and spelling.
Famous people with the name Lentzer
- Adolph Lentzer (American architect)
- Grant Lentzer (American state senator)
- Harry Lentzer (League of Wisconsin Municipalities executive director)
- Marv Lentzer (American baseball catcher)
- Ora Lentzer (American furniture designer)
- Regina Lentzer (UW-Stevens Point swim coach)
- Roger Lentzer (American media relations executive)
- Will Lentzer (American News producer and anchor)