Surname Macketanz - Meaning and Origin
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Macketanz: What does the surname Macketanz mean?
The last name Macketanz is an occupational surname of German origin, derived from the Middle High German word "macketanz" which translates to "plowman" in English. The name originated from people with the occupation of cultivating lands with a plow, a tool used to create furrows in the soil for planting crops.
In the Middle Ages, the Middle High German word "macketanz" was often used to refer to a farmer and this is how the surname Macketanz developed. Records of this surname date back to the mid-16th century when Michael Maketantz was recorded in a book of town privileges for the city of Worms, Germany.
The German language and spelling of Macketanz changed when many of its bearers emigrated to North America, with some of the earliest settlers bearing this name arriving in the 1700s. Other forms of the surname include Makeintanz, Markentanz, Makentanz, and Maikentanz. Today, the Macketanz family is found mainly throughout North and South America, as well as Germany.
The Macketanz family is a proud one that is associated with hard work and the land. As with many occupational surnames, it is a testament to the hardworking agricultural history of Germany that this name carries. For those with this surname, it is a tribute to all their hard working ancestors and a reminder of the value of hard work in cultivating a better life for future generations.
Order DNA origin analysisMacketanz: Where does the name Macketanz come from?
The surname Macketanz has a relatively restricted distribution, being most common in Germany, Austria, and Switzerland. Although its distribution in the United States is quite small, it is found mainly in Midwest, including Wisconsin, Iowa, and Minnesota.
The origin of the Macketanz surname is German, suggesting it may have a single medieval ancestor as the family's progenitor. It is derived from the Middle High German given name Maketanz, thought to be a nickname based on the word 'make' or 'maker', meaning 'worker' or 'craftsman'.
In Germany, the surname is mainly found in southwestern Germany, including the states Bavaria and Baden-Wurttemberg. Despite its low distribution in the United States, there is evidence of the family presence in the US since the mid 18th century. The earliest public record found is of Anna Macketanz who married Ernest Keller in Philadelphia in 1790.
As of the 2015 US Census, there were only 286 Americans registered with the Macketanz surname, highlighting the family's relatively small, but significant, presece in the States.
Variations of the surname Macketanz
Macketanz is a surname that is of German origin. It originated from the Middle High German term "Macken Tantz" which translates to "dance of the Macke" or "dance of the mace-bearer". This term referred to a type of medieval Bavarian court dance tradition, practiced during the 14th and 15th centuries.
Variations on the spelling of Macketanz have included Machentanz, Mackentanz, Mackintanz, Mechtanz and Maxtanz. Surnames derived from "Macketanz" have included Macchiante, Machennie, Machetante, Machetinie, Machitante, Machtinie, Makintaine, Maksing and Manktanz.
For those of German descent, the spelling of Macketanz is sometimes confused with Machentanz. This is a purely spelling difference not related to any variation in the origin or meaning of the surname.
For those of Scandinavian descent, the surnames Machentance and Machtens may be related to Macketanz. Similarly, there is some speculation that Macketanz might have roots in the Polish surnames Mazek and Makaczewski. Additionally, the surname Macketanz is not related to the Irish surnames of McKenna and Macken.
No matter the spelling or derivation, the surname Macketanz is associated with a proud and rich heritage of German culture and court dance tradition. Its various spellings and associated surnames offer further proof of the strength and vulnerability of this diverse and ancient tradition.