Surname Retzlaw - Meaning and Origin
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Retzlaw: What does the surname Retzlaw mean?
The last name Retzlaw is of German origin and is in the top 1000 most commonly used family names in the United States. It is generally thought to be derived from the surname "Ratzloff", which itself is believed to have originated from the Middle German verb "ratzeln", meaning "to chatter". The phrase "Der rezt sich law" is also thought to be the origin of the name, which roughly translates to "he talks a lot".
Today, the name is believed to mostly describe positive traits or characteristics, such as a person's tendency to socialize and converse. This could include anything from telling stories and jokes to conversational debating and exploring ideas. Other family names that are related to the Retzlaw surname include Ratzlaff, Ratzloff, Retsel, Retzler, Rezelf and Retzlin.
Though the exact origin of the Retzlaw last name is unclear, it is thought that the original bearer of the name had a cheerful and talkative nature. The name is still seen today in some parts of the United States, though it is not as common as some other German-American surnames, such as Schmidt or Miller.
Order DNA origin analysisRetzlaw: Where does the name Retzlaw come from?
The last name Retzlaw originates from Germany, and is still quite a common surname there today. It is particularly common in East Prussia, which is now located in northern Poland and western Russia.
Retzlaw is a fairly rare surname outside of the region. It has spread to other parts of Germany, as well as to the United States, Canada, England, and the Netherlands. In the US, Retzlaw is most concentrated in states such as Wisconsin, Minnesota, North Dakota, and South Dakota where there have been large waves of German-American immigration.
Retzlaw is an occupational name, derived from Middle High German terms meaning ‘ruler’, ‘judge’, or ‘assessor’. It is believed to have been first used to designate a man or family that was in roles of authority or leadership in medieval Prussia.
Today, Retzlaw is still a relatively common surname in Germany, and is slowly becoming more and more common in other countries too. It is a distinctive surname that many families with roots in East Prussia can trace their heritage back to.
Variations of the surname Retzlaw
The surname Retzlaw is of German origin and has a long and varied history. It can be spelled in multiple ways depending upon the language and geography of the person. Some of the variants of the surname Retzlaw are Ratzlaw, Ratzel, Rutzlow, Ratzlaff, Ratzelle and Retslaw.
The family history of Retzlaw begins in the mid-1600s in the German state of Silesia, where the family was identified as Ratzlaw. Over time, the surname was adopted in various forms and locations. Families adopted Ratzlow, Ratzelle, Rutzlow and Ratzlaff when they emigrated to Austria, Lithuania, and Prussia. When the family arrived in the United States, they adopted the spelling Retzlaw.
The Retzlaw family line is a closely-knit one, but it has been fractured over time due to multiple changes in the spelling of their surname. That being said, many descendants of the Ratzlaw families have adopted the spellings Retzlaw, Ratzlaw, Ratzel, Rutzlow, Ratzlaff and Ratzelle. Various members of the Retzlaw family have gone on to become successful in various fields, including politics, engineering, and business.
No matter the spelling, the Retzlaw family remains proud members of a long and distinguished lineage.
Famous people with the name Retzlaw
- Jay Retzlaw: a professional stunt performer who has worked on films such as The Dark Knight, The Revenant, American Hustle, Avengers: Endgame, and many others.
- Eric Retzlaw: an American ski racer, competing in giant slalom and slalom events.
- Jack Retzlaw: a former machine gunner in the United States Army during Mosul’s Battle of the Bridge in Iraq. He was subsequently awarded the Purple Heart.
- Peter Retzlaw: a professor emeritus of classics at Harvard University.
- Travis Retzlaw: an American actor who played the starring role in the movie Heroes Don't Come Home.
- Bob Retzlaw: a professional rodeo cowboy who won the 1974 steer roping title.
- Emilee Retzlaw: a painter, sculptor, and multimedia artist from Wisconsin.
- Kay Retzlaw: an American sculptor and public artist. Her work is included in several public art collections.
- Mike Retzlaw: a former professional wrestler and mixed martial artist who competed in the middleweight division of the Ultimate Fighting Championship.
- William Retzlaw: a United States Navy sailor who received the Medal of Honor for his actions during World War II.