Surname Günz - Meaning and Origin
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Günz: What does the surname Günz mean?
The German surname Günz is derived from the name of a small river located in southern Germany named after a Celtic goddess. The name Guentia was originally derived from the Celtic god of the same name.
This surname is most common in the southern regions of Germany including Bavaria, Baden-Württemberg, Hesse, and Rhineland-Palatinate. It is believed that families who took on this name hailed from either the river Günz or one of the many settlements located near it.
The word Günz means “water” in German, which is likely why the name was associated with the river. This reflects the importance of water in the environment and lives of the early settlers in southern Germany.
Throughout history, Günz has been a surname that was passed down from generation to generation and is still prevalent in the region today. Despite its rarity, the name is still carried proudly by those who bear it. Families who carry on the name Günz may often feel a special connection with the original inhabitants of the region and their history.
Order DNA origin analysisGünz: Where does the name Günz come from?
The last name Günz is most commonly found today in Germany, Austria, Switzerland, and various neighboring European countries. A likely origin of the name is the Latin name Guntius, which is derived from the Roman empire. The name is believed to have originated in Germany, likely as early as the 12th century.
In Germany, the name is most commonly found in the southern regions, and it is considered a fairly rare name, although not nearly as rare as it was centuries ago. In Austria, it is most commonly found in the Vienna area, due to mass migration to Vienna from regions in Germany in the 16th and 17th centuries.
In Switzerland, the name is also somewhat common, especially in the canton of Valais, but is found throughout the country. In Valais, the names is often linked with old nobility or with dairy farmers.
In Spain, the name is not as common, but is not overly rare. The name is found primarily in the Catalonia region, and is believed to have arrived due to the migration of Germanic peoples into the area in the early Middle Ages.
In France, the name is relatively rare. The name is most likely due to the Germanic migration into the Alsace region in the later Middle Ages or the return of Alsatian soldiers to France after World War One.
Finally, the name is also found in the United States, with most Günzs in America arriving between the late 19th century and World War II. The majority of these families come from regions in Germany and Austria.
Variations of the surname Günz
The surname Günz is an occupational name that originated from the Middle High German word "günze" which refers to a person who worked with coins or money. The variants, spellings and surnames of the same origin for Günz include: Guntz, Gunte, Gunz, Gunzev, Gunzel, Gunzle, Güntz, Güntzle, Güntzler, and Gnuß.
Guntz is a variant that is mainly found in German-speaking areas. It is believed to have originated from the word “gamotz” which is Middle High German for money. Gunte is another variant that is used mostly in Germany, derived from Güntze or Güntzel which is an older form of Günz.
Gunz is a variation of Günz, which is believed to have originated from the word “ganz” which means "whole" or "entire". Gunzev is also a variant, although more commonly used in Eastern Europe, and derives from Gunz. Gunzel is another spelling commonly used in Germany, derived from the Middle High German word for money, "gaunzel".
Gunzle is also used mainly in Germany, as an altered form of Gunzel. Güntz is yet another variant. It is believed to have come from the Middle High German word “güntze” which is used to refer to coins or money. Güntzle and Güntzler are variants of Güntz which were most likely used as nicknames or diminutives. Finally, Gnuß is a more modern variant, which may have originated from Güntz or Güntzle, with the “ß” replaced by a “ss”.
Famous people with the name Günz
- Martin Günz: a German photographer and installation artist born in 1963 who has exhibited his works all over Europe and the US.
- Philipp Günz: an Austrian ice hockey referee who officiated several games at the 2014 Winter Olympics in Sochi.
- Jacob Günz: a German painter and sculptor born in 1848 and noted for his Expressionist works showing strong emotional themes and dynamic compositions.
- Thomas Günz: an Austrian politician who was a member of the National Council of Austria from 2003 to 2008.
- Michael Günz: a former German football player who played for clubs such as Dynamo Dresden, Hertha Berlin, and Ipswich Town, and briefly represented the Germany national team in 1998.
- Bernard Günz: a Swiss designer and furniture maker, born in 1948. He is renowned for both his contemporary and classic designs and has exhibited his works in Zurich, Basel, London, and New York.
- Alfred Günz: a German physicist who developed the Stern-Gerlach experiment demonstrating that beams of silver atoms could be deflected by a magnetic field.
- Martin Günz: an Austrian-born composer and musical director born in 1922 who has composed numerous musicals and compositions for the concert hall.
- Barbara Günz: a Swiss politician who has served as a member of the Council of States of Switzerland since 2015.
- Derek Günz: a German-born British businessman who became the founder and CEO of the first cyber security software company out of Europe.