Surname Merttens - Meaning and Origin

Merttens: What does the surname Merttens mean?

The last name Merttens is of Dutch and German origin. It is believed to be derived from the Old German name "Mertin" which was a combination of the German words meaning "famed" and "military strength". The name is most likely an occupational name, referring to someone whose job was related to the military, such as a soldier, guard, or even a blacksmith who forged weapons.

The name Merttens is found in both Germany and the Netherlands, particularly in the southeastern region of the latter. In Germany, the name can be found in both Cologne and Brandenburg regions.

Throughout the centuries, the Merttens family has been largely associated with the military. Documents record Count Merttens von Brandburg in 1590 who was part of the circle of the Grand Master of the Teutonic Order.

The name Merttens is also passed down through lineage, indicating that the family has been around for many generations. It may even be possible to trace the origins of the family and gain insight into the actions of their ancestors.

Overall, the history of the Merttens name is steeped in military service and the defense of one's country. This honor and pride in the name has been passed down from generation to generation, and will likely continue to be for many years to come.

Merttens: Where does the name Merttens come from?

The last name Merttens is most commonly found in western and northern European countries. It is especially prevalent in the Netherlands, where it ranks among the country’s Top 100 surnames. It is also found in Belgium, Germany, Austria, Switzerland, Luxembourg and Denmark. The name can also be encountered in other parts of Europe including France, Serbia, Finland and Britain, albeit to a lesser extent.

In terms of the United States, Merttens more often appears as a variant spelling of the more common Mertens. Records show that the name had already spread to the United States as far back as the nineteenth century. While less common in the U.S., Merttens is especially concentrated in the New York/New Jersey area. It’s also to be found in at least 19 of the 50 states, from California to Connecticut.

In other parts of the world, the name has spread to Canada, Brazil and the Caribbean, mostly with immigrants from western and northern European countries. Australia also now has a significant presence of the surname, particularly in the cities of Perth and Sydney.

Although fewer people now use the name Merttens, it is still fairly common in Europe and elsewhere. It is likely to remain a prevalent surname in the future, carried on from generation to generation.

Variations of the surname Merttens

The surname Merttens, also known as Mertens, Martens, Marttens and Martensen, is a patronymic name typically originating from the Netherlands, Belgium, and Germany. The name is derived from a personal nameelement “マート”, a short form of the given name Martin.

Merttens is the most common form of the surname, and is used throughout the Netherlands, and Dutch-speaking parts of Belgium. Mertens is the most common variant, and is used in the German-speaking parts of Belgium, Northern Germany, and parts of Austria. Martens and Marttens are more localized variants, and are found mostly in areas of the Netherlands and Flanders, including Amsterdam, Rotterdam, and Bruges. The most rare variant is Martensen, which is limited primarily to areas of Northern Germany and Denmark.

The earliest recorded mention of the surname Merttens dates back to the 17th century. It was used by a man named Maennich Merttens, who lived in Northern Germany in 1650. A large numbers of Merttens have immigrated to the United States, especially around the mid-1800s.

The Merttens surname has been spelled a variety of ways, including Merttens, Mertens, Martens, Marttens, and Martensen. All these variations of the surname are of the same origin, and have used throughout the Netherlands, Belgium, Germany, Austria, Denmark, and the United States.

Famous people with the name Merttens

• Max Merttens: a German professional tennis player.
• Raivo Merttens: an Estonian amateur boxer.
• Herman Merttens: a Dutch professional footballer.
• Stephan Merttens: a German consecutive-frame cinematographer.
• Arnold Merttens: a Luxembourgian architect.
• Florian Merttens: a German rower and Olympic bronze medalist.
• Carl Merttens: a German painter and sculptor.
• Hélène Merttens: a French actress.
• Jürgen Merttens: a German-Austrian handball player.
• Maurice Merttens: a Belgian professional road bicycle racer.
• Anke Merttens: a German former tennis player.
• Elisabeth Merttens: a German women's field hockey player.
• Gerardus Merttens: a Dutch-born Belgian sculptor, medalist, and teacher.
• Kirsten Merttens: a Dutch actress.
• Jörg Merttens: a German former GS racing driver.
• Konrad Merttens: a German composer, organist, and conductor.
• Anna Merttens: a German artist and visual artist.
• Heye Merttens: a Dutch theatre artist.
• John Merttens: an American politician and former Mayor of Frankfort, Kentucky.
• Djurre Merttens: a Dutch chess International Master.

Other surnames

Mertten