Surname Penz - Meaning and Origin
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Upon receiving the comprehensive DNA test results from iGENEA, I was astounded at the depth and detail of the data presented. While providing a significant understanding of the history of the surname Penz, it covered both maternal and paternal lineage with outstanding accuracy. The results not only filled in gaps in my family history but also opened doors to potential relatives.
Q. Penz
read morePenz: What does the surname Penz mean?
The surname Penz is of Germanic origin. As in many European cultures, German surnames were often derived from occupations, geographical locations, or characteristic traits. In the case of Penz, it appears to be derived from the Middle High German term "pfenning" or "pfennig", which was a small coin, similar to a penny. Therefore, the surname Penz may have originated as a nickname or occupational name for someone who worked with money, like a moneylender or a tax collector. It's also plausible it could have been given colloquially to someone perceived as being thrifty or wealthy. Additionally, the name may have been a locational surname for individuals who lived by a noticeable penny-like landmark. It's important to remember that surname meanings can vary significantly based on regional dialects and historical context.
Order DNA origin analysisPenz: Where does the name Penz come from?
The surname Penz is most commonly found in Austria and Germany. It is thought to be derived from the Latin nickname 'peniculus', meaning 'little tail'. This was likely adopted as a surname by craftsmen who made brush bristles for artists.
In Germany, the Penz surname is most prevalent in Bavaria, with 1260 people sharing the name as of 2013. In Austria, the Penz surname is widely distributed, with small clusters in Vienna and the surrounding states. In addition, Penz is also seen in the UK, Australia, Switzerland, and the United States.
The highest concentration of the name Penz in the US is in Ohio. Over 1700 people bearing this surname live in Ohio, primarily concentrated in the Cleveland, Toledo, and Cincinnati metropolitan areas. The states of Nevada, California, and Washington also have a substantial number of Penzes.
Other countries and regions with populations of Penzes include Canada, Italy, Denmark, Spain, Slovenia, Serbia, and the Czech Republic, though these usually have much smaller populations of the surname than the aforementioned countries.
Variations of the surname Penz
The surname Penz is a patronymic, meaning it is derived from a personal name which was then passed down from generation to generation. The variants and spellings of this surname are various and include Pense, Pens, Penes, Penas, Penaz and Peniz. This surname can also be found in other countries outside of Germany, such as Austria, Czech Republic, Hungary and Brazil.
In addition to the traditional spellings, some variations of the Penz surname can be found in different countries. For example, in Austria they might spell it Pensel or Penzel, while in Hungary it is Pensi, or Pengyi and in the Czech Republic it is written as Penson. In Brazil, the alternate spellings are Penzac, Penzacchi, or Pennz and in Poland, Pense is sometimes used.
The surnames Pensel, Pensel, Pensil, Pensall, Pensaille, and Pingshell have also been used as an alternate spelling of the Penz surname. Other variants of these variations may include Penzen, Penc, Peng, Penger, Pensola, and Pingzell.
Overall, the patronymic nature of the Penz surname means that there can be many variants and spellings. This means that tracing the origin of the surname can be difficult, however by looking at the various spellings it is possible to gain insight into the family’s heritage and history.
Famous people with the name Penz
- Paul Penz: Austrian composer and musician.
- Otto Penz: German actor.
- Jukka Penz: Finnish artist and photographer.
- Astrid Penz: German magazine editor.
- Lia Penz: German writer, photojournalist, and speaker.
- Raffaele Penz: Italian actor.
- Tom Penz: Austrian judoka
- Gerry Penz: German footballer.
- Csaba Penz: Hungarian musician.
- Mario Penz: Italian jazz pianist.