Surname Menz - Meaning and Origin

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M. Menz

Menz: What does the surname Menz mean?

The last name Menz is of German origin and is derived from the German word menze, meaning “enclosure” or “fence.” This word was used to describe a closed-off area, such as a village, estate, or farming enclosure. The use of the term later extended to people who lived in a particular village or area.

The earliest records of the Menz surname date back to the 16th century when it was borne by Johann Menz, born in Baiern in 1530. Over time, the German name spread to other parts of Europe, including England and France, with spelling variations such as Manze and Manip becoming more common.

The surname Menz was popular and relatively common in Germany in the 19th century. However, many of its bearers emigrated to the United States and other areas of the world in the late 19th and early 20th centuries due to economic reasons.

Menz is an occupational surname which refers to those living in an enclosed area or a fence-enclosed area. Today, the name Menz is also associated with many families of German descent living all across the globe.

Menz: Where does the name Menz come from?

The last name Menz is primarily common today in Germany, France, and Switzerland. In Germany, it is one of the 600 most common surnames, and in France it is also a fairly common name. In Switzerland, Menz is even more common, with approximately 1,400 people in the country having the last name.

Menz can also be found in countries around the world, although in much smaller numbers. This includes Austria, the United States, the Netherlands, the United Kingdom, Denmark, Belgium, Canada, Australia, and Romania. In each of these countries, it is estimated that fewer than 500 people have the last name, so it is not a particularly common one outside of Central Europe.

The origin of the name Menz, like many other German surnames, can be traced back to the Middle Ages, when it was an occupational name. The name originally referred to a man who worked as a miller, and it was adopted by those who made a living by grinding grain. The name is also known to be derived from the German word manns, which referred to the servants or retainers of a lord.

Variations of the surname Menz

Menz is a German and Swiss surname that is derived from the German word ‘Mensch’, which literally means “man”. Variant spellings of the surname include Menc, Menche, Mentesch, Mentz, and Menche.

In Germany, the surname is derived from the Old German word ‘mentz’, which roughly translates as “mentor” or “guide”. This derived spelling is common among members of the House of Mentz, which was first found in Bohemia in the 13th century. The family was spread throughout modern-day Bavaria, Württemberg, and Austria.

The Menz variant of the surname is found in both Germany and Switzerland. This variant is thought to be derived from the High German personal name ‘Mentz’, meaning ‘might’ or ‘power’. It is also linked to the Middle High German verb ‘mentzen’, which means ‘to experience’ or ‘to feel’.

The variants of this surname are also used as a nickname derived from other surnames. This includes the surnames Mense, Mensch, and Menser.

In the United States, Menz is the most common variant of the surname, followed by Mentz. Variants of the Menz surname are also found throughout Ireland and other parts of the British Isles, including Menzie, Minzie, Munce, and Muncey.

Overall, Menz is a very common surname among German and Swiss families and has plenty of variants and spellings, all of which are derived from the German word, ‘Mensch’, meaning “man”.

Famous people with the name Menz

• Anna Menz, German-American surfer
• Ella Menz, German-American swimmer
• Eva Menz, German-American businesswoman
• Jessie Menz, American TikTok star
• Kate Menz, Scottish singer
• Luigi Menz, Italian actor
• Nathan Menz, Czech-American actor
• Noah Menz, American artist
• Philip Menz, German-American auto racer
• Ralf Menz, German football manager
• Robert Menz, Swiss rower
• Ronald Menz, American author
• Walther Menz, German architect
• William Menz, American naval aviator

Other surnames

MenardMenavaMencheMencheyMenckMenckeMendaMendeMendesMendezMendlMendleMendosaMendoseMendozaMenealyMeneelyMenekseMenellyMenequinMenevseMengMengeMengebierMengede