Surname Maertens - Meaning and Origin
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Maertens: What does the surname Maertens mean?
The surname Maertens is of Dutch origin and is derived from the personal name Maerten which is a variant of the more commonly used Dutch name Martin. Maer is an older Dutch form of the modern 'maarten'. Martin itself was derived from the Roman name 'Martinus', meaning ‘warlike’ or ‘of Mars’, the Roman god of war.
The surname Maertens first gained prominence in the Netherlands. Additionally, the first recorded spelling of the surname is said to be from the 14th century, appearing on the birth records of Dirck Maerddansen, which was dated 1344, in the Netherlands.
The popularity of this surname is also linked to one of the most popular saints of that time— Saint Martin of Tours whose feast day is November 11. Additionally, the celebration of Saint Martin's day was big in Germany and the Netherlands as well in pre-Reformation times.
Due to the popularity of the Saint, the name Martin and its variants were widely used as personal and family names. The family Maertens have since spread throughout the world and are known to have settled in the USA, Canada, Australia, England, France, Spain and elsewhere.
The family Maertens are believed to have derived from a strong family tradition based on strength, honor and pride. This is seen in the family's commitment to serve in the military, to excel in education, and to strive for excellence in every aspect of life.
Though, the name Maertens has an ancient origin and is derived from multiple sources, it does not denote any particular meaning as a family. However, the strength and pride associated with the name serves to bolster up the moral of the family members and helps keep alive the glory of the ancestors who introduced the name Maertens to the world.
Order DNA origin analysisMaertens: Where does the name Maertens come from?
The last name Maertens (or Martens, depending on the spelling) is most commonly found in the Netherlands, Germany, Belgium, Luxembourg, and the United States. The name is primarily of Dutch origin, though it is also known to have originated in Germany, Luxembourg, and Belgian.
In the Netherlands, the most common Dutch spelling of the name is Maertens. It is the 3rd most common Dutch surname of the Netherlands. In Germany, it takes a slightly different form: Martens. The name is the 27th most common German surname. In Luxembourg, the name ranks 35th in popularity, with a spelling closest to the Dutch version of the name. In Belgium, the name is at highest rank in the Flemish-speaking part of the country, with an equally Dutch spelling as the one used in the Netherlands.
In the United States, the name is primarily found in areas with large Dutch emigrant populations. Specifically, it's most commonly seen in states such as Minnesota and Michigan, although the name can be found throughout the United States. The spelling of the name typically follows the Dutch spelling in these areas. Over the years, the spelling of the name has changed from Dutch, German, and Belgian variants to a singular anglicized version: the Martens spelling.
Overall, the surname of Maertens can be seen throughout the Netherlands, Germany, Luxembourg, and the United States. In these countries, people with the last name still bear a common heritage dating back hundreds of years. For those with the name, they can take pride that their last name will continue to endure the test of time.
Variations of the surname Maertens
Variants, spellings and surnames of the same origin for the surname Maertens can include variations of the spelling Martens, Martins, Mertens, Mertins, Maertins, Mardtens and Maardtens. The patronymic versions include Maertens-son, Maertensson, Mardtens-son, Mardtensson, Maartens-son, Maartensson, Mertens-son, Mertensson, and Martens-son, Martensson.
The most common origins of the surname Maertens are Dutch, Flemish and Germanic. The meaning of the name is authoritative, derived from the Latin personal name ‘Martiter/Martinus’, which means ‘of Mars/God of War’ and thus, gives the name the meaning of ‘son or servant of Mars/War’. During the Middle Ages, the name spread to other parts of Europe and certain regions, such as the Netherlands, which formed their own variations of the name.
The Maertens surname is known to have been present in Europe as early as the 12th century, with mentionings dating to the 1400s in German speaking regions (as found in the Ernstein family genealogy records). In the 17th and 18th centuries, records can be found in North American immigrants, mostly sailing from the Dutch port of Rotterdam. Today, people who bear this surname can be found in England, Germany, Netherlands, United States, Australia, and Southwest Africa.
Famous people with the name Maertens
- Christian Maertens- Elite German Soccer player
- Paul Maertens: Belgian Professor of Applied Economics
- Dries Mertens- Belgian Soccer Player
- Jef Maertens: Belgian Painter
- Sidonie Maertens: French actress
- Christiane Maertens: German actress
- Wim Maertens: Belgian composer, pianist, and singer
- Philippe Maertens: Belgian Politician
- Koen Maertens: Belgian Sculptor
- Ria Maertens: Dutch actress