Surname Mentzl - Meaning and Origin
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Mentzl: What does the surname Mentzl mean?
The last name Mentzl is of German origin. It is a habitational name, referring to any of the hundreds of places called Mönch or Mönchs in Germany. The literal meaning of the word is "monk" or "monastery". Thus, the surname Mentzl is the German translation of the term "monk" and refers to those who originally lived in or near a monastery.
Mentzl might also have derived from a nickname given to someone of a religious nature. It is believed that individuals with the last name Mentzl had adopted the name from people living near or on the property of monks or a monastery. For example, it is thought that those living on the land of a monastery could have been known as Mentzl, indicating their association or relation to the monastery.
The surname Mentzl is listed as being the 974th most common name in Germany. Today, individuals with the surname Mentzl can be found in almost all German-speaking countries, including Germany, Switzerland, Austria, and the United States. Depending on the region, the name Mentzl can be found in both rural and urban locations.
Throughout its history, the surname Mentzl has undergone subtle changes in spelling due to regional dialects and foreign language influences. Possible spellings of the name include Mentzel, Monckel, Montzel, Mentzler, Monckelle, Montzler, and Mönzl.
Order DNA origin analysisMentzl: Where does the name Mentzl come from?
The last name Mentzl is most commonly found in Austria and Germany today. It is derived from the word "mentzel" which was used in Central and Eastern European languages including German and Yiddish. This term was used both as an occupational surname as well as a nickname for the Germanic occupation of a craftsman who repaired kitchen utensils such as kettles, pans, and knives.
Although most common in Austria and Germany, Mentzl is also found in other countries around the world including the United States, Canada, India, Brazil, and Israel. In the United States, Mentzl families can be found in Pennsylvania, California, and New Jersey, as well as in Florida and Indiana. In Canada, the name is scattered across Ontario, Alberta, Quebec, and British Columbia.
The Mentzl surname can also be seen as an alternative spelling in records of other countries. For example, in Sweden it is spelt Mentzell, in Denmark Mentsel, and in Poland Mentzyl. The spatial distribution of the Mentzl surname in Europe today reveals that it is most commonly found in Eastern Europe, in addition to Germany, Austria, and Poland.
Overall, the last name Mentzl is most commonly found in Austria, Germany, and Eastern Europe. It is also found in the United States, Canada, India, Brazil, and Israel, and is varied both in spelling and geographic distribution.
Variations of the surname Mentzl
The surname Mentzl is primarily of German origin but has been used in a variety of spellings and variants throughout the ages. These include Mentzel, Mentzell, Mentzle, Mentzler, Mentzli, Mentzil, Mentzla and Mentzlaff. It is also sometimes written as Monzel or Montz.
The surname Mentzl is believed to derive from a diminutive form of the personal name Matthias, which in turn is derived from the Hebrew name Mattityahu. This name means “Gift of God” and was used commonly to represent the Hebrew biblical leader who was one of Jesus’ twelve apostles.
The Mentzl spelling is relatively rare, and is mainly found in Germany, Austria and South Africa. In Germany it is often found in the northern regions of Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, Schleswig-Holstein and Niedersachsen. Mentzel is the more commonly seen spelling in Germany and Austria today, and can also be seen in parts of the Czech Republic.
In North America, the Mentzl spelling has become more widespread with the influx of German immigrants in the 19th century. It is now mostly found in the United States and Canada, where Mentzli and Mentzler variants are commonly used.
The Mentzl spelling is sometimes confused with the spelled-alike Möntz or Möntzel surname, which is a different spelling but also of German origin. Both Möntz and Mentzl derived from the same Matthias name, but evolved over time to stem from different spelling traditions.
Famous people with the name Mentzl
- Chad Mentzel: An American entrepreneur and digital marketing strategist.
- Marc Mentsl: A French-born Israeli singer, songwriter/ musician and composer.
- Tom Mentzel: A working media production professional with a passion for podcasting, radio, and television.
- David Mentzel: Designer and animator, known for his work on popular Pixar films such as ‘Finding Nemo’ and ‘The Incredibles’.
- Peter Mentzel: A Manchester-based artist and sculptor.
- Kim Mentzel: A businesswoman and celebrity photographer known for her work in fashion and advertising.
- Hillary Mentzel: A renowned librarian and scholar specializing in medieval manuscripts.
- William Mentzel: Professor Emeritus at George Washington University and a humanist.
- Maxim Mentzel: An international concert pianist and multi-instrumentalist based in Germany.
- Erika Mentzel: An Austrian-Canadian photographer and photojournalist.