Surname Mertens - Meaning and Origin
all surnames with 'M'
The Transformative Journey of my iGENEA DNA Test: A New Perspective on the Mertens Identity
Rooting through the branches of my family tree with an iGENEA DNA test captivated my attention towards the richness that dwells within my surname Mertens. The results unveiled a fascinating blend of Western European and Scandinavian heritage, transforming my perspective on the Mertens identity.
E. Mertens
read moreMertens: What does the surname Mertens mean?
Mertens is a surname of Belgian or German origin. It's derived from the given name 'Merten', which is the Low German form of 'Martin'. The name Martin itself comes from the Latin 'Martinus', which in turn is derived from 'Mars', the Roman God of war and fertility. Thus, metaphorically, Mertens could mean 'warrior' or 'of Mars'. It is an example of a patronymic surname, which is a name that denotes sonship or lineage, indicating "son of Merten." Patronymic surnames were common in various cultures, including Germanic cultures, as a method of creating familial identities. It's notable that the surname Mertens is prevalent in Belgium and Germany and can be found across the world due to migration and diaspora.
Order DNA origin analysisMertens: Where does the name Mertens come from?
The last name Mertens is of Dutch and German origin. It is derived from "Merten," an old Germanic personal name, which is the equivalent of Martin. The "-s" in Mertens signifies "son of," so the full meaning of the name is "son of Merten" or "son of Martin."
Considered a patronymic surname, Mertens is most common in the region where it originated, such as the Netherlands and Germany. It is also prevalent in Belgium due to the Dutch-speaking Flemish community's influence. In these regions, the surname may have various spellings, including Maertens, Martens, and Meertens.
Today, besides maintaining its prevalence in Germany, the Netherlands, and Belgium, the name Mertens has also spread elsewhere due to immigration. Significant populations carrying this surname can be found in the United States and other parts of Europe. In each country, the spelling and pronunciation may vary, reflecting the influence of the local language.
Variations of the surname Mertens
The surname Mertens is of Belgian and German origin and can be traced back to the given name "Merten," which is a form of "Martin."
Several variants and spellings for this surname exist, reflecting the linguistic diversity of the regions where it's found. These include Mertes, Merten, Mertin, and Merting in German. The use of "-s" or "-z" at the end of the name is particularly common in the Netherlands and Flemish Belgium, translating to "son of Merten." Additionally, the surname may appear with a double "t," as in Merttens, Mertenss, or Mertenz.
In the French-speaking parts of Belgium, the name may be spelled as Martens, meaning the same as Mertens. Other similar versions of this surname include Maertens and Maertena.
Other surnames of the same origin (i.e., deriving from the given name Martin) may have evolved differently across different regions and languages, such as Martyn, Martino, Martini, Marten, Martinez, and Martinson.
Specifically, in parts of eastern Europe, the surname can be found as the Slavic Martyn or the Hungarian Marton.
These surnames emerged from a common root but have evolved differently due to regional linguistic variations and customs.
Famous people with the name Mertens
- Thomas Mertens- German footballer who plays as a right-back for 1. FC Köln.
- Jasmijn Mertens- World-class female wrestler and three-time World Champion.
- Sophie Mertens- Belgian professional tennis player.
- Jax Mertens- Dutch Olympic swimmer who competed in the 2016 Summer Olympics.
- Mark Mertens- Former American football guard.
- Guido Mertens- Belgian professional footballer who plays as a defender.
- Filipa Mertens- Belgian paralympic swimmer who won two gold medals at the 2016 Summer Paralympics.
- Florence Mertens- Belgian fashion designer.
- Martin Mertens- Dutch professional footballer who plays as a goalkeeper for German side Holstein Kiel.
- Liezel Mertens- South African long jump athlete who won a silver medal at the 2016 IAAF World Indoor Championships.