Surname Renz - Meaning and Origin
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Unraveling the Genetics of the Renz Lineage: A Personal Reflection on the Insights Gained from the iGENEA DNA Test
Embarking on a journey into my genetic makeup through the iGENEA DNA test, I unraveled surprising truths regarding my ancestors and unearthed unknown connections to regions and cultures previously unknown to me. The discoveries have significantly reshaped my view of my Renz lineage and broadened my perspective on my family identity.
B. Renz
read moreRenz: What does the surname Renz mean?
The surname Renz is of German origin and is derived from the personal name Lorenz, a variant of Laurence. Laurence comes from the Roman classic name Laurentius, referring to a man from Laurentum, a city in ancient Italy. The name eventually translated to Lorenz in the German language, and it became common to use a shortened form, Renz, as a surname. Traditionally, surnames evolve as a way to sort people into groups - by occupation, place of origin, clan affiliation, etc. In the Middle Ages, the name was associated with the laurel wreath, a symbol of wisdom and accomplishment. Hence, the surname Renz could possibly confer a characteristic of someone wise or accomplished. It is widespread in Germany and also found in the United States among German immigrant families.
Order DNA origin analysisRenz: Where does the name Renz come from?
Renz is a surname that is commonly found in central and western Germany as well as Austria and Switzerland. It is thought to be of Germanic origin, with “Ren”, meaning “raven”, and “-z” being a suffix used to form a person’s surname. It is believed to have primarily derived from the elements of names given to people with a particular recognisable attribute or characteristics.
For example, Renz was given to people with black hair or to those known to be wise. That said, the origin of the surname is uncertain, and it could simply be derived from the location of someone’s home, with the towns of Rinze and Ranze in Germany being responsible for the name’s popularity.
The surname also has a presence in the United States, largely due to the immigration of German settlers in the 19th Century. However, there are also Renzes living in other countries like Canada and Australia. According to the 2000 US census, the Renz surname is used by 4,182 people in the U.S., primarily concentrated in Wisconsin, Minnesota, Iowa and Illinois.
In terms of modern usage, Renz remains an active surname in Germany and its respective neighboring countries. A quick check of Germany’s telephone directory finds more than 6,000 listings for the name. This indicates that many people living in this region still live under the Renz surname to this day.
Variations of the surname Renz
The surname Renz is of German and Swiss origin. It is derived from the German given name “Renz”, which in turn derives from the Old Germanic personal name “Reinz”, composed of the elements “rein”, meaning “pure” or “wise”, and “cuc”, meaning “brave” or “bold”.
Renz is spelled in many different ways across Europe. Common variant spellings include Rainz, Rentz, Rennz, Rencz, Rantz, and Reintz. Other variants are Renzke, Reents, Renck, Rentzsch, Rencs, Rentzke, and Reinz.
In some localities of Germany, the spelling Rehns is also used. It is an adaptation of the Low German spelling of the name, and is pronounced “Ranes”.
Renz is also a common surname in Southern and Central Europe, and is found in Switzerland, Italy, and parts of Austria and Hungary. In these areas, the spelling is often spelled Renza, Ranta, Rence, Raanza, Rencz, Ranza, Rencek, and Rancs.
Some variants have additional Germanic suffixes, such as Renzheim, Renzhausen, and Renzig. Over time, the spelling of the surname has been Anglicised and has been used in English-speaking countries as Rentz, Rance, Ranz, and Rantz.
The surname is also found occasionally in the United States in the form of Rentz or Renz.
In conclusion, Renz is a German and Swiss surname with many variant spellings. Its most common variants include Rainz, Rentz, Rennz, Rencz, Rehns, Rantz, Reintz, Renzke, Reents, Renck, Rentzsch, Rencs, Rentzke, and Reinz. In Southern and Central Europe, the name is usually spelled Renza, Ranta, Rence, Ranza, Rencz, Rencek, and Rancs. In English-speaking countries, it is often Anglicised to Rentz, Rance, Ranz, and Rantz.
Famous people with the name Renz
- Marc Renz: German footballer specialising in wing play.
- Jutta Renz: German politician and member of SPD.
- Christopher Renz: American animated film director and storyboard writer.
- Karin Renz: German actress, known for „Der Staatsanwalt hat das Wort“.
- Alina Renz: German cyclist, best-known for winning the 2007 German National Time Trial Championships.
- Roger Renz: American film and television editor.
- Karl Renz: Austrian painter, sculptor and draftsman.
- Philippe Renz: Swiss paracyclist, gold medallist at the 2020 Paralympic Games.
- Franz Renz: German football administrator, German Champion in 1931.
- Wilhelm Renz: German actor, known for „Der Staatsanwalt hat das Wort“ and „Operation Ganymed“.