Surname Pelz - Meaning and Origin
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Delving into Ancestral Roots: A Revealing Journey Through the iGENEA DNA Test for the Pelz Surname
Unraveling my ancestral lineage through the iGENEA DNA test, the findings reveal rich insights of the Pelz surname. Traced back to Central and Eastern Europe, the influence of both Slavic and Jewish communities were unmasked through genetic markers. A mixture of other European influences and strong Neanderthal descent painted a broad and intriguing picture of survival, adaptation, and intermarriage across time and locales.
Y. Pelz
read morePelz: What does the surname Pelz mean?
The last name Pelz is derived from German and is believed to be of occupational origin, derived from the German word "Pelzmacher" meaning “fur-maker” or “furrier”. The fur makers were involved in the fashioning of high-end furs and leather goods in the Middle Ages. The Pelz surname was likely a surname assigned to the fur makers to differentiate them from others in the region.
Over time, the surname spread to other parts of Europe and the United States. In the United States, the surname Pelz can usually be found within the Pennsylvania region due to the influx of German immigrants during the 1700s and 1800s.
Outside of plantyms, the Pelz surname is commonly seen in association with notable figures of history, such as snowboarder Kevin Pelz and singer/songwriter Sam Pelz.
Overall, the Pelz surname is a legacy that has lasted hundreds of years as a testament to its German roots and the significance of the early fur-making Industry of the Middle Ages. In modern times, it is a reminder of the sacrifice of those who left their homes long ago to seek new beginnings in the United States.
Order DNA origin analysisPelz: Where does the name Pelz come from?
The last name Pelz has origins in Central Europe, especially Germany. In Germany, it is mainly concentrated in East and North Bavaria. Outside of Germany, it is mainly found in the United States, Canada, Mexico, Australia and New Zealand.
In the United States, the highest concentration of Pelz is in the Midwest, especially in Ohio, Illinois, Missouri and Iowa. In 2000, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reported that approximately 12,000 people in the United States had the last name Pelz, making it the 1,122nd most common surname in the country. The states of Ohio and Illinois had the highest number of people with the last name, each with around 1,800 people.
Outside of the U.S., the last name is likely absent from most other countries. Australia had a handful of Pelz families in the mid-1800s, however, it seems unlikely that those families are still alive today. Canada only had a total of 48 Pelz households in 2016. In Mexico, a search of Mexico’s National Population Registry did not return any results for the surname. This suggests that the last name was not very popular in Central and South American countries.
Overall, the last name Pelz is more common today in the United States compared to its home countries in Central Europe. It is still fairly rare in the United States and Canada outside of Midwest states, however.
Variations of the surname Pelz
The surname Pelz is of German origin and usually signifies one of two occupations: furrier or peddler. It is derived from the German word pelz which means "fur" or "skin". It is commonly seen with the following variants, spellings, and surnames:
Peltz: This is the most common variant of the surname Pelz. It has become popular as both a surname and a given name in the United States.
Pels: This is a more rare variant of Pelz. It is believed to have originated in Germany or the Netherlands.
Pelt: This is an even rarer variant and is believed to have originated in Germany or the Netherlands.
Peltzer: This is a German variant of the name Pelz. It is believed to have derived from an Old German word meaning "skin".
Pelzer: This is another German variant of the name Pelz. It is believed to have derived from an Old German word meaning "skin".
Pelts: This is an Americanized version of the name Pelz. It is believed to have originated in the United States.
Overall, the surname Pelz has many variations, spellings, and surnames. Some of the more popular variations include Peltz, Pels, Pelt, Peltzer, Pelzer, and Pelts. Regardless of the spelling, each one of these variants has its own unique background and meaning.
Famous people with the name Pelz
- Dave Pelz: professional golf instructor and scientist.
- Buzzy Pelz: American professional golfer.
- Dennis Pelz: former professional ice hockey player with the St. Louis Blues.
- Alex Pelz: former professional soccer player with the Columbus Crew.
- Eric Pelz: former professional tennis player.
- Bill Pelz: former professional baseball player with the Philadelphia Phillies.
- Jim Pelz: former American professional boxer.
- Herbert Pelz: American painter, etcher, and lithographer.
- Robert Pelz: American architect, author, and illustrator.
- Andre Pelz: former German field hockey player.
- Peter Pelz: German artist and sculptor.
- Walter Pelz: German mechanical engineer and professor.
- Tim Pelz: German professional football player.
- Karel Pelz: Slovakian professional ice hockey player.
- Florian Pelz: Austrian actor and stage director.
- Katharina Pelz: German curler and doctor.
- Johann Sebastian Pelz: German organist and composer.
- Simon Pelz: Austrian professional ice hockey player.