Surname Mauritz - Meaning and Origin
all surnames with 'M'
Mauritz: What does the surname Mauritz mean?
Mauritz is a German surname derived from the personal name Maurice. It is a variant spelling of the more traditional Moritz. The name Maurice is derived from the Latin, Mauritius, which in turn comes from the Greek name Maurus, which can mean "dark-skinned" or "Moorish". The name Maurice is derived from this Maurus and was originally used for someone of African or Moorish descent. It can also be understood to mean “one from Mauritania”, which was an ancient nation of North Africa.
Mauritz is a masculine, patronymic surname, meaning “son of Maurice”. People with this surname can trace their origins to Germany, where it was a fairly common name. It spread through Europe during the Middle Ages as more people adopted the practice of taking surnames.
Over time, the name Mauritz has evolved and often been shortened to configurations such as Morris and Mort. This diversity of spelling variations is due to a lack of consistent spelling standards in the historical period when people began adopting surnames. It is a popular name in Europe, especially in Germany, today.
The use of the surname Mauritz has remained quite popular since then, and its use has spread through emigration among German-speaking people worldwide. It remains an interesting example of physical and social change over time as well as cultural mobility.
Order DNA origin analysisMauritz: Where does the name Mauritz come from?
The last name Mauritz is most commonly found today in Germany and Sweden. In Germany, records show that the name is most prevalent in the states of Rhineland-Palatinate and Lower Saxony. In Sweden, the name is found throughout the country, but especially concentrated in the western regions. It’s possible that the last name is derived from a German noble family of the same name.
Mauritz is a patronymic surname, which means it originated from the first name Mauritz. This name is a Germanized form of the Scandinavian name Mortitz, and it was likely given to someone from a region where the Viking culture once thrived.
The most commonly held occupations for people with the last name Mauritz in Sweden are small business owners and farmers. In Germany, early records of people with the name in the 19th Century suggest they were mainly found in military roles or other civil service occupations.
Though the name is not particularly common in other countries or regions, it does also appear in the United States and Canada. There, it tends to be found among families that immigrated from Continental Europe in the mid-19th Century, and those from more recent generations.
Variations of the surname Mauritz
Mauritz is a surname derived from the Germanic name Mauritz, which is a shortened form of Maurice. It can also be spelled as Maurits, Mauryc, Mauritson, Moritz, Moritsen, Moeritzen, and Mauriscus. Other variants include Mavis, French forms such as Maury, Mauriac, and Mauryce, and Italian variations Maurizio and Morizzio.
Maurice, which is the basis for the Mauritz surname, is thought to originate from the Latin word Maurus, meaning "dark skinned" or "Moor". The specific meaning and origin are debated, but it was likely a given to honor a soldier of North African or Moorish origin.
Over time, variants of Maurice began to emerge, with some being more popular in certain languages and regions. Mauritz became the more common Scandinavian variation of Maurice (used in Dutch, Swedish, and Norwegian), while Maurits is the Dutch form of the name. Maurizio is the Italian and Spanish form.
The Mauritz surname has been recorded in a variety of spellings in multiple countries. Common English spelling variants include Morris and Moritz, while French variations include Mauroy and Mauriac. In Germany and Austria, the surname is often Moritzen, and in Scotland, Morris is seen.
As with many surnames, the spelling often changes over time to match local dialects and influences. Whatever the spelling, they all have the same Latin root.
Famous people with the name Mauritz
- Anders “The Eagle” Axelsson Mauritz, Finnish guitarist
- Magnus Mauritz, Swedish admiral
- Gustav Mauritzen, Norwegian footballer
- Anna-Lena Mauritz, Swedish-American silver medalist skeet shooter
- Carl Mauritz Clemensson, Swedish actor
- Oscar Mauritz Karlsson, Swedish triple jumper
- Emil Mauritz, Swedish gymnast
- Erika Mauritz, Swedish film director
- Billy Mauritz, Swedish actor
- Ana Mauritz, Swedish film actress